Robot Carts

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by spazdemon548

If your looking for ideas, here's ours from last year...

And I still envy that cart.....

[smurfgirl]

Originally Posted by EricH

Better: Garden supply store, get a cart. Bigger tires and a raised workbed. Better for going over those pesky cable covers.
...
I'd go with the garden-type cart, at least for now. You could modify it later.

Our team has been using the same garden cart since we started up in 2003. It's easy and effective. We spray-painted it blue to match our team colors, and we usually add wooden blocks or something else to modify it slightly each year so the robot doesn't roll off when we accelerate.

[amariealbrecht]

i know this year we worked on a cad design for our new cart...last year we had a cart that had a removable handle and that failed ... epically... you can engineer your own or you can buy one and personally focus on your robot at hand right now and then later or if you have time make a cart....or just go and buy one at a garden center or home depot

[Steven Sigley]

Originally Posted by spazdemon548

If your looking for ideas, here's ours from last year...

If I'm correct you guys were blasting "Sandstorm" on that thing in Atlanta. Other might not have found it awesome, but it made my day.

[jcatt]

I still love our old cart that I and two other teammates built during the off season!

It featured:

• 2500 Watt amplifier
• 1.5 Fared capacitor
• 2x 12" Subs
• 4x 4x6" Woofers
• 2x 8" Woofers
• 4x 5 1/2" Woofers
• 2 Tweeters
• DVD Head unit
• 2 LCD Monitors
• Built in Robot battery chargers
• Steel hardware store cart
• Aluminum and Plywood Frame

I still feel that it was us that caused the addition to the "no music on robot carts" rule. Mainly because of the cart party we held at nationals 2006.



But we don't use it anymore, mainly because it was sooo heavy, and bulky. Not to mention that after 3 seasons the batteries didn't hold a there charge for more that a hour, and getting new ones would been expensive and not worth it. So now we use a simple cart that actually fits threw our shops doors.

A good thing to remember that what ever you put on you cart you have to move it around and get it through doors. So don't make it too heavy or too wide. Don't forget that you also have to get it to the competitions, so make sure it is either collapsible or modular otherwise it will be difficult to get it the competitions without a trailer. Also pneumatic wheels are a must, otherwise you might have everything fall off as you go over bumps and cable runs. Just keep to good ergonomics and you'll be fine.

[R.C.]

McMaster has a great selection of pneumatic wheels but they are pricey. Northern tools is a lot cheaper, try them out and if you need help pm or im me.

[Urban Hawk]

this year we are converting the frame from our robot last year into a cart and we are going to put our mecanum wheels onto it since the rules prohibit them on the robot this year.

that will be a fun cart to drive

[Team 1708 Dave]

We used a old cart from the marching band. It was approx. 30" X 60" with a nice pull handle. We modified it and put a nice tool cabinet on it.

[lenny8]

Originally Posted by spazdemon548

If your looking for ideas, here's ours from last year...

that cart is better than my car.

im so jealouso

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by Urban Hawk

this year we are converting the frame from our robot last year into a cart and we are going to put our mecanum wheels onto it since the rules prohibit them on the robot this year.

that will be a fun cart to drive

Remember to keep it safe. I don't want to start next season and find out that they made a rule against carts because someone had an accident. I will not be a happy camper.

But this year, I'm going to take last year's bot (or possibly two years ago), build an area under the robot for tools and whatnot, some super-cool cathodes and a blue "siren" light from the 2007 robot, and a semi-loud siren. Probably add some more safety features and whatnot.

[Teched3]

Just to give you some general concepts of what we have found that works with our cart:

1. We have a platform that supports the robot frame and wheels off the work surface so the systems can be tested safely and easily. The supports for the frame are adjustable, so we can change configurations from year to year to match different frame configurations.
2. We raise and lower this table so we can transport the robot low, but raise it to work at a comfortable height in the pit area.
3. We have a 12 volt battery on board to power a winch that lowers and raises the table, provides power for a small 12 volt worklight, as well a warning signal making it easier to clear the aisle when we are moving through the pit to the playing fields.
4. We have built in storage drawers for essential tools and replacement parts, as well as necessary paperwork. A stationary work table helps to support our control panel and laptop for ease in changing or reloading programs and working on the robot.

You can make your cart as simple or complex as you want and need. Remember, you need a means to transport it to competitions, and that could mean shipping costs to Atlanta, assuming any Regionals you attend are within driving distance. It makes a great off-season project, but you can work on it after your robot ships to your first competition.

[synth3tk]

We had to demolish our cart last season, because we had a different bus when we left than when we came, and there was no room on the back to leave it intact. This year we plan on either modulation or collapsibility.

It's important that your cart, no matter how simple or complex, can be easily transported to the event(s). You don't want to find this out when you're trying to get it into your trailer, bus, SUV, or whatever you use.

[nnfuller]

Could you work on your cart during the time between ship day, and your reginol and just bring it in?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by nnfuller

Could you work on your cart during the time between ship day, and your reginol and just bring it in?

Yes. However, consider your transportation method. If you don't have room in your vehicles, you'll want the cart in the crate. However, it is quite common to bring your stuff in on a cart on Thursday.

[dtengineering]

Ours is made from 1 1/4" PVC conduit left over from the tetrahedrons in 2005.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrhicks...7604319698768/

It is sturdy, light, and knocks down to fit in the back of a minivan. It was designed and built by Jeremy, third from the left. I doubted it would be strong enough, but he was more than happy to prove me wrong. If students on my team actually listened to me, we'd still be building mini-sumos!

Jason