How do you build telescopes/forklifts?

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Leav

Hi CD,

I've been involved with FIRST since 2005, but never been involved in building any kind of telescoping arm or forklift device.

I got to thinking about it and couldn't think about simple ideas on how to solve the main problems:

what slides past what? for telescoping I would think it would be a square tube within a square tube with some wheels or rollers to allow movement. But most forklifts use two sets of tubes to improve rigidity so how do you link them and allow them to slide?

I can't imagine drawer slides are used extensively since they weigh so much.

regarding opening the telescopes and lifts: I'm guessing the cable+drum+pulleys system is the standard but with the telescoping arms some things just don't add up regarding the way the cables need to wrap.

I would appreciate some explanations and also pics of said systems would be very much appreciated. I couldn't find any closeups.

I know FRC233 (Pink) is very strong with telescopes. any other teams to look out for?

Thanks for your help in educating myself and hopefully others!

-Leav

254/968 had a solid lift design as well.

There is a manipulator presentation from 330 (and I've seen others as well with this information) that outlines the more common ways of routing cable/chain for the lifting motion.

173 had a very unique design in 05, I think they reused it in 07 as well.