Any Ideas?

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by kcreager

Our team right now is still discussing possible design ideas.

1. A kicker
2. A pnuematic punch
3. A claw based design to lift the robot off the ground
4. A defensive robot that blocks goals

For the drive train we have many different ideas going on. 6 wheel, 4 wheel drive steering, omnis or stickey wheels. We are still undecided.

We tried a pneumatic punch but it didn't supply enough force to get the ball moving fast enough. We were thinking to get a smaller piston with a larger area and with a small stroke length. We based this off of physics because P=F/A and if you rearrange this equation you get F=PA.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experiences with any of the above ideas?

Your idea about pneumatic is a bit backward. The speed of a pneumatic cylinder's actuation is based on the volume you need to fill and the flow rate you can obtain to fill it. A cylinder that is larger in circumference will take longer to fill, and hence longer to stroke. It will, however, supply a higher end force because Force = area x pressure. Force does not equal speed of stroke though - just remember that.

If you want FAST actuation, you need to use a smaller volume cylinder. If you want Forceful actuation, go with a larger area cylinder.

There are some tricks you can play - like using two cylinders end to end so that they both actuate at the same time to double the speed. However, keep in mind that you'll need to watch out for your total air usage. You may have luck in that regard going with a spring return cylinder rather than an air return to save air pressure.

[vespa2t]

Originally Posted by Tom Line

If you want FAST actuation, you need to use a smaller volume cylinder.

and larger diameter / short supply lines... the size and length of the lines can make a big difference in reaction time of the cylinder.

[JesseK]

Kevin, in all honesty I think your team needs to evaluate whether you want to specialize in hanging OR specialize in scoring goals (In my opinion, defense is always secondary; but that's just my strategy style). Make that decision and then focus for the next 3-4 weeks on the drive train and that ONE strategy. THEN and only THEN, if you have time and weight, design the other system. That way your drivers can start getting practice with your primary strategy while your builders are still occupied with your secondary strategy and/or upgrades to the primary.

Score Goals (# 1 & #2) -- Plan for 6-8 max
Hang and pull other robot up with you (#3) -- I believe the MOST successful robot at hanging AND pulling up will easily be able to get 8 points for the alliance, and thus is a powerful strategy to be reckoned with (Note that robot isn't plural -- probably only 1 robot out of 1800 will be GREAT at pulling up 2 bots while others who try will be good at pulling up 1 other bot).
Defend (#4) -- Includes midfield AND defensive zones

Choose one of the above as your primary!

[GreatAnnoyance]

Maybe a bit out there but, perhaps a kicking mechanism based on gravity instead of pneumatic pressure. In the breakaway introduction video they often used a model leg to kick the ball. It would increse the weight a bit though.

A Few springs and a release mehanism to hold it back untill you need to shoot.

Or you could just push the ball in.