pic: MSC Winning Alliance Robots

[JVN]

Originally Posted by sdcantrell56

Just search for strip brushes on mcmaster. We made the same switch after carefully examining 148's video and it improved our helical feed system dramatically. We are using the metal backed variety simply due to cost reasons and they work perfectly. Thanks 148 for the inspiration!!

We went through a LOT of iterations on the spiral. Very early on I suggested we use brushes after remembering 236's 2002 robot. I remembered that machine (named "Dust Buster" if I'm not mistaken) used a series of brushes to elegantly and smoothly roll soccerballs through a spiral. After MUCH searching we could not find a brush that we liked.

Our original design utilized lexan "fingers" coming off our nonagon spinner, but after one spectacular jam we went back to searching for brushes. (You can see the original fingers in our unveiling video.)

177 was kind enough to help us in our search. (I spent HOURS on McMaster trying to find a good brush, and never found the one they showed me.)

Paul heard we were having great success with the brushes and asked me for a P/N. I hooked him up.

It is awesome to see how inspiration can propagate through this program in interesting ways. It is also great to see the willingness of teams to share and help each other.

Kudos to 236 for inspiring 148, and for 177 for helping us find the right direction.

Design is (still) an iterative process...
-John

Edit:
Found it... 236-2002
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/13825