Vertical Tracks for Forklift

[FrankJ]

In terms of the elevator masts 6063 has the same stiffness as 6061. I don't thing you will come close to the yield strength of either. Of course some one somewhere will be the exception.

[steelerborn]

We wanted to not rely on Vexpro or Andymark for the elevator parts, and made our own system using only mcmcastercarr parts.

It rides on a 2x1 tube and uses UHMW rollers and plates.
It is very smooth and very easy to slide and has no wiggle.
We should be powering it this weekend.

As for reductions we are using a cim going to a 10:1 planetary gearbox, then a 6.5:1 reduction using the single stage clamping gearbox from vex. We are having two of these that share a shaft, so 2 cims going through a 65:1 overall reduction.

We are going to see the system and determine if we need a brake.

[BeardyMentor]

Originally Posted by FrankJ

In terms of the elevator masts 6063 has the same stiffness as 6061. I don't thing you will come close to the yield strength of either. Of course some one somewhere will be the exception.

I was wondering if anyone else had done any sort of loading calculation to see if the 6061 vs 6063 really mattered for most applications. Unless you are skeletonizing your tubing and using terrible fastening practices, I don't think most of us are going to come close to the yield stress.

[Christopher149]

We're using the REV extrusion and bearing system.

[Loxmyth]

Igus sent track/rail sections in the KoP. We called them and they are sending us a 72" track, not free of course, but they do give FRC teams a discount.

[Mike Marandola]

Originally Posted by Loxmyth

Igus sent track/rail sections in the KoP. We called them and they are sending us a 72" track, not free of course, but they do give FRC teams a discount.

Did you have any problems with them binding? I have found that if the load is not on center they bind very easily.

[ttedrow]

Originally Posted by Loxmyth

Igus sent track/rail sections in the KoP. We called them and they are sending us a 72" track, not free of course, but they do give FRC teams a discount.

Depending on the moment created by the position of your lift, the IGus rails included in the KOP may not meet your needs. IGus does have several other rails that will work. Expect to see three of them on Team 281's bot this year.

[pfreivald]

We're using 1-5/8" aluminum strut designed for overhead applications. The carts are steel, but well-built and easy to mount to.

[Bryce Paputa]

1x1, 1/8th wall 6061 Al c channel. Don't have it completely together yet, but it seems to be working great.

[PaulEleven]

Vexpro's linear slide gusset kits with 6061 1x2 tubes, kinda bulky but it'll have to do.
The kits just came back in stock yesterday.

[Alpha Beta]

In 2011 we found roller-blade wheels in aluminum angle worked well.

Close-up.

[PaulEleven]

MiniCIM-64:1 banebots bb220-15T #35 double sprocket
Calculation looks really good

[PaulEleven]

Would anyone be kind enough to explain the necessity of brakes? Alternatives? Rookie here....

[BBray_T1296]

Originally Posted by PaulEleven

Would anyone be kind enough to explain the necessity of brakes? Alternatives? Rookie here....

So when your elevator is in a lifted position, you aren't simply supplying continuous electric current to hold it off the ground, but instead mechanically hindering gravity. Saves battery.

[asid61]

Originally Posted by BBray_T1296

So when your elevator is in a lifted position, you aren't simply supplying continuous electric current to hold it off the ground, but instead mechanically hindering gravity. Saves battery.

I was under the impression that it was a heating issue- if you're holding a stack of totes, it could burn out the motor due to the weight and lack of rotation.
And yes, RS-775 18v run at 12v.