Ball Collecting Robots

[sanddrag]

For this past game of Zone Zeal, many teams had nicely functioning ball collectors/shooters. We tried to have a spinning wheel that shoots the ball up a short precisely formed ramp. The ball never really made it and higher than a foot above the ramp so we scrapped the ball shooter.

I am particularlty interested in designs of collection devices and and insertion devices, conveyors, lifting and dumping bins, shooters, etc. If your team had any of these things especially a collector and lifting bin, please give me some specific details on the design and construction.

We would really like to implement the use of balls in 2003 if the game permits. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.