Attempting the Bonus Round

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by Chadius012

Our team is possibly going to have a robot that can fold down platforms for alliance robots to drive onto, then lift all three robots at the same time.

make sure you understand the definitions of SUSPENDED and ELEVATED

[bensherman]

Originally Posted by squirrel

make sure you understand the definitions of SUSPENDED and ELEVATED

I agree. I think some teams aren't understanding the the robot has to be off the ground rather than touching the bar and the ground at the same time through a lifting system.

[MFennig8]

See, what I have heard from some teams about a ramp idea, then also picking up multiple robots. We do have to remember that we can get the 2 bonus points for bots that hang higher than the platform or that are sitting on the platform. The one for 3 bonus points, you can not build a ramp unless your robot is hanging and is above 20" (the height of the platform). Thats where the catch comes into play. I thought about why not doing a lift up ramp like in 07", but the catch we have is that if we place 2 robots on the platform, our robot can not be holding them up at all because then the one that we are under and our ramp is holding up will not count.

[viperred396]

Originally Posted by MFennig8

See, what I have heard from some teams about a ramp idea, then also picking up multiple robots. We do have to remember that we can get the 2 bonus points for bots that hang higher than the platform or that are sitting on the platform. The one for 3 bonus points, you can not build a ramp unless your robot is hanging and is above 20" (the height of the platform). Thats where the catch comes into play. I thought about why not doing a lift up ramp like in 07", but the catch we have is that if we place 2 robots on the platform, our robot can not be holding them up at all because then the one that we are under and our ramp is holding up will not count.

For our ramp bot we were not planing on scoring the 2 point bonus for being ELEVATED (because we will be on the ground) but we can help our alliance by letting them drive on our "ramp bot" so they can score as ELEVATED

[Tom I]

Originally Posted by MFennig8

See, what I have heard from some teams about a ramp idea, then also picking up multiple robots. We do have to remember that we can get the 2 bonus points for bots that hang higher than the platform or that are sitting on the platform. The one for 3 bonus points, you can not build a ramp unless your robot is hanging and is above 20" (the height of the platform). Thats where the catch comes into play. I thought about why not doing a lift up ramp like in 07", but the catch we have is that if we place 2 robots on the platform, our robot can not be holding them up at all because then the one that we are under and our ramp is holding up will not count.

Two words: Draw Bridge!

Imagine parking a robot on the platform, and extending two ramps down to the floor, allowing your alliance partners to climb up on either side. Then, use cables to pull the bridge sections up using pulleys higher up on your bot, so that the two robots are completely supported by you, and none of your robot is below the ramp. Bam, 8 points! haha mere theory of course

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by Tom I

Two words: Draw Bridge!

Imagine parking a robot on the platform, and extending two ramps down to the floor, allowing your alliance partners to climb up on either side. Then, use cables to pull the bridge sections up using pulleys higher up on your bot, so that the two robots are completely supported by you, and none of your robot is below the ramp. Bam, 8 points! haha mere theory of course

The tricky part is making a ramp wide enough for robots to drive upon, and mounting strings in a manner that pulleys can be used to lift them without robots driving on said strings...

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by bensherman

I agree. I think some teams aren't understanding the the robot has to be off the ground rather than touching the bar and the ground at the same time through a lifting system.

Without saying anything too revealing... it is theoretically possible to winch 3 robots carried on forks or other drive-on platforms up in the air. Not very fast, but faster than a single robot could score 8 balls.

The main design constraints are the 84 inch cylinder rule, weight, the 500 pound winch, and having room on the robot to accomplish anything else.