Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition

[TheFrozenSlink]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

It is the high goal. Crates scored on the shelf get 4 points each in teleop.

I meant the self in the middle by the scoring tubs, I shouldve been clearer my bad.

[Whippet]

Originally Posted by TheFrozenSlink

I meant the self in the middle by the scoring tubs, I shouldve been clearer my bad.

The "overpass" is simply there to encourage shorter robot designs, as quite a bit of time is saved by driving under the overpass rather than around the tank.

[BrendanB]

Small teaser from the robot I am working on. I have been collaborating with one of our students who is much further ahead compared to me.

We were both designing Logomotion robots to practice CADing a full robot when this game was announced so we decided to move to this project as it was more challenging since it was a fresh game.

Thanks to the group who decided to put this together. This has been quite the challenge and I can't wait to see what we end up with. Great practice for 2014!

And now, I'll leave you with this.

[Whippet]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

Small teaser from the robot I am working on. I have been collaborating with one of our students who is much further ahead compared to me.

We were both designing Logomotion robots to practice CADing a full robot when the challenge was announced so we decided to move to this project as it was more challenging since it was fresh game.

Thanks to the group who decided to put this together. This has been quite the challenge and I can't wait to see what we end up with. Great practice for 2014!

And now, I'll leave you with this.

Wow, that's a cool design! Am I correct in thinking that it dumps large quantities of crates in the large tank from that tube?

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Whippet

Wow, that's a cool design! Am I correct in thinking that it dumps large quantities of crates in the large tank from that tube?

Possibly.

Although I can't confirm what the end manipulator will do/look like.

[Answer42]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

Possibly.

Although I can't confirm what the end manipulator will do/look like.

If I didn't know any better I would guess that was 1678's drive system from last year painted yellow.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Answer42

If I didn't know any better I would guess that was 1678's drive system from last year painted yellow.

It does have resemblances to 1678's 2013 drive but I didn't base my design off of theirs. Its a plate drive that I designed this fall using 3/16in plate, 8wd, 4in colson wheels, and ball shifters. Everything is run with chains with sliding standoffs as tensioners.

Oddly enough I did talk to one of their mentors Adrian Clark about a previous version of this drive (that used WCP single speed gearboxes) and he offered some excellent feedback, suggestions, and his thoughts about plate drives and West Coast Drives. It was great being able to talk to someone from the west cost on the matter as it seems there are big differences in how east cost and west coast team's design drivebases. We also had a good discussion on resources and how we use them.

So no it isn't 1678's drive but it was influenced by their mentors.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

Small teaser from the robot I am working on. I have been collaborating with one of our students who is much further ahead compared to me.

We were both designing Logomotion robots to practice CADing a full robot when this game was announced so we decided to move to this project as it was more challenging since it was fresh game.

Thanks to the group who decided to put this together. This has been quite the challenge and I can't wait to see what we end up with. Great practice for 2014!

And now, I'll leave you with this.

Yellow is the new pink?

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Gregor

Yellow is the new pink?

What makes you think this is a new concept?

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

What makes you think this is a new concept?

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/27298

[s_forbes]

*retracted, wrong thread, oops!*

[echin]

Here is my teaser.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxr...it?usp=sharing

My robot works by using a giant yellow cloud of magical dust which teleports all of the crates onto the shelf within the first 3 seconds of the match.

[Chris is me]

Some stuff for designers to consider working on this challenge:

1. CG is a *huge* problem with this game. You're given a smaller base than normal, a heavy, and the opportunity to lift it more than 8 feet in the air. Especially if you are lifting more than one cube at a time, CG needs to be a driving design focus. How many pounds can you afford for your end effector, keeping in mind you're already putting 9 pounds "up high" before you even start?

2. How will you grip the cubes? A 9 pound wooden game piece with smooth edges is not going to automatically work with any permutation of a roller claw. How will your manipulator handle the forces at play? Can you create the necessary static friction force with your rollers? We don't have the advantage of actual prototyping here, but try to be realistic.

3. You're only given 18 inches of extension. With the bumpers, that number shrinks to ~15 inches, not much bigger than the length of one cube. Keep this in mind for any over the bumper mechanisms.

I've been wrapping my head around this when I have spare time between exams. I'll post a "teaser" of what I'm doing in the next day or two, and I'd be happy to explain what I came up with when and if I finish a basic model.

To those saying the red alliance has a huge advantage over the blue alliance, remember this game isn't actually going to be played. Because of this factor, it's up to you how you design your strategy, and our judges will be looking at that.

If you feel the red alliance has a significant advantage that will greatly affect your design, then put yourself on the red alliance if it makes you happy. Go ahead, we'll let you choose your alliance!

Reminder: The Design Competition will end on the 31st of this month, which is in 3 days! You need to send your submission in to BlockBarrage2013@gmail.com before then in order to get it judged.

Your submission must include:
-Your CAD model assembly either as a STEP file or as a Solidworks Pack and Go zip file.
-A short written description of your robot, your strategy, and the engineering process behind your design.
-Your name (and names of those who helped you in the project, if applicable)
-Team affiliation (if applicable)
-Student or mentor

We already have a few submissions, and we're excited to see the rest of them!