pic: Our best 2011 robot design

[Michael Corsetto]

I love this design, these nearly 10 foot rails are super fun! We had a lot of success with our design in 2007, seeding 1st at SVR with the second highest OPR. Also, these designs can be very light if made correctly.

Make that hinge STRONG! I would actually recommend making your own joint with some beefy 3/8 to 1/2 inch shaft and bronze bushings. Also, you will need a locking system of some sort since the pneumatic pressure alone (assuming this is how you will deploy the upper segment) will not be enough to keep it straight (and thus the rail joint smooth) if it the robot rocks back and forth.

Also, keep the tower in an inch or two from the edge of the robot frame, this gives you more flexibility in beefing up the tower.

Third, make the grabber rail taller so the torque from the grabber mass + gravity is distributed better.

This is all I got for now, feel free to ask more questions if you have any. I loved Rack'n'Roll, glad we get to play it again! Good luck!