Is assisting the robot arm with a vacumn legal?

[PAR_WIG1350]

Originally Posted by winglerw28

I think the most common issue with engineering is that it makes people aim to produce more creative methods instead of using effective methods. Innovation is a fantastic tool for solving problems, but sometimes your problems have already been solved in a more efficient way.

What does this method add in functionality or approach? If it doesn't alter the functionality and is only there to be cool, then it's a waste of time and energy.

It is a cool concept, but don't let cool factor diminish functionality.

When you let go of the tube, a vacuum is less likely to get caught in it.

[winglerw28]

Well if you can make the outcome just as efficient as a mechanical counterpart then the answer to my previous question is yes, it does increase functionality/efficiency.

I'm not trying to hinder any ideas from developing and flourishing further - I just wanted to give some advice. Our team has a bad habit of getting stuck on improving a particular idea - so much so that we do unnecessary things and waste time.

[Libramen]

Right now our team is stuck between claw/rollers, vacuum/suction cup, and a pincher for the grabbing mechanism. Have any teams prototyped any of these yet?