pic: 179 USS Swamp Lobsta

[jcatt]

The problem that is affecting some people is that the video is encoded with Divx. If you don;t have the Divx Codec installed then you wont be able to play it. You can download the codec at Http://www.divx.com/divx/windows/download/index.php

[MattLi]

How much does it weigh?

[Swampdude]

- That paneling works good for something off the shelf thats strong and light
- It needs to be supported min every 8" from an edge and the supports are in the axial direction of the ramp, not so much the sides
- there are rounded nylon end caps on all the floor contacting points
- right now we're about 5lbs over weight. But we have 2 of the large cims with 2 small cims installed currently. If we do not find ample weight savings in some other places, we may go back to the 2 smaller cims in each AM shifter.
- I do not have video of our other bots driving on it, however we did do that, and it worked great with our crappy wooden programming bot (woody). Also we placed 2 bots on top of it. I will get video of the deployment and 2 bots riding up it this week though, and post that.

I have learned that building a ramp is much harder than it seems. I wanted to build an arm and then have a simple ramp off the end but I couldn't get around the structural requirements needed to have a ramp that could last the rigors of 20+ competition matches.

Thanks for the compliments!

[AdamHeard]

[quote=Swampdude;572328]
- right now we're about 5lbs over weight. But we have 2 of the large cims with 2 small cims installed currently. If we do not find ample weight savings in some other places, we may go back to the 2 smaller cims in each AM shifter.

/QUOTE]


Why not put two small cims each to begin with? The Big ones have less power and weigh a lot more. Are you using the small Cims somewhere else?

[Setsanto]

Where did you get the lexan from, and how much did it cost you? Our team did some inquiries and didn't find anything below $190 each sheet. Also, how much does it weigh?

~Nick/1334

[Swampdude]

Originally Posted by Setsanto

Where did you get the lexan from, and how much did it cost you? Our team did some inquiries and didn't find anything below $190 each sheet. Also, how much does it weigh?

~Nick/1334

It's this stuff the 16mm thickness. They sell it at lowes here in Florida. Although we have hurricanes here and you probably don't so it may not be on the shelf. it was $98 for a 4x8 sheet

[swamp_child]

man, right after I leave you guys take all the pictures

[crazykid234]

Looks really great, I was just wondering, have you tested it when a robot hits it from a running start? Knowing you guys it doesn't matter, but hey, I'm curious..

[Swampdude]

Originally Posted by crazykid234

Looks really great, I was just wondering, have you tested it when a robot hits it from a running start? Knowing you guys it doesn't matter, but hey, I'm curious..

Not yet, but tonight we'll run it through its ramp paces. However that lowest panel is well supported since its short and just from walking on it, I think its going to do fine. When alliances climb on you you're right in front of them so they can see what they're doing. We found its not hard to drive right up the center even from far away (where the best structural support is). So I think the skinny ramps will even work good. We added width for the climber under diress. We were thinking of forklifts but decided if we drop someone that would be bad. This way if they fall off its their fault and leaves the control/decision to the drivers team whether to risk the climb or not. A 12" drop can be devastating to a bot not built for that. Once you get somone in the air and they get powered off, if you don't have them balanced right, they can roll right off.

[techtiger1]

Hey Dan and the crew looks like a beast of a robot again this year. The ramp looks great. When you see our bot you will figure out why. The name is priceless and perfect for that robot. I am glad to see the 05 basic shape and framework back in action. Good luck to the Swampthing team this year and we will see you in a few weeks with t21 v4 .

-Drew

[Swampdude]

Here's a link to the video of us driving last years bot up the ramp

[Alex Cormier]

ugh, i just dl'd the newest quicktime and all. i still can't view this or the other video.