Photo-Tac for Prototyping and Diagnostics

[IKE]

I was recently talking with some friends on another teams, and found out a tool that they were unaware of a tool that we use all the time on FRC33.

This is a photo-tachometer. This isn't the exact model we use (though ours is 10+ years old, so our model may not be around anymore). With this tool, you put a little refective tape on a spinning object, and it measures its RPM. This is extremely useful for prototypes in order to see how fast things are really spinning. For instance, just because you geared a wheel to a CIM at 2:1, doesn't mean it is spinning at 9,000 rpm. In fact, you could be down aroun 5,000. It is also very useful for doing diagnostics at Competition. Periodically checkign the free-speed of your shooter and/or drivetrain may help you know if you are having a mechanical problem with one of your systems before seeing an issue in a match.

[ToddF]

We bought this exact one last season. We love it.

[artdutra04]

They are also very useful for ensuring closed-loop velocity control (via P or PI loops) are stable.