Tubing for ball intake

[Wizzard3618]

We are looking at using some form of tubing for our ball intake from the ground, but we can't seem to find anything that has the durability and strength that we need. We were looking at the stuff from McMaster Carr, but they have so many choices. Anyone have any suggestions for us?

[EricLeifermann]

Polycarb tubing

[D_Price]

Make sure you get the solid-core if you are using for intake.

[SenorZ]

We're using this (for now) and it is working fine.
https://www.mcmaster.com/#round-belts/=16409ns

The connectors can be a pain though. You can use solid and "weld" it

[chandrew]

Normal surgical tubing is also an option you might want to consider.

[Greg Hainsworth]

make sure your tubing stays within the volume box. We considered this too but expect the judges to extend the tubing to it's maximum length and call that the limit of the robot volume.

Good Luck.

[RoboChair]

1.25" diameter aluminum 6061-T6 with a 1/16" wall thickness sometimes with surgical tubing on the outside(we add) is what 1678 runs for all our intake and ball stuff.

[CalTran]

Originally Posted by Greg Hainsworth

make sure your tubing stays within the volume box. We considered this too but expect the judges to extend the tubing to it's maximum length and call that the limit of the robot volume.

Good Luck.

*Robot Inspectors, possibly Referees too.

[Samueldobens]

https://www.mcmaster.com/#flat-drive-belts/=164x37o

Team 341 had success with these for rebound rumble.

http://www.team341.com/history/2012-rebound-rumble/

[Samueldobens]

https://www.mcmaster.com/#flat-drive-belts/=164x37o

Team 341 had success with these for rebound rumble.

http://www.team341.com/history/2012-rebound-rumble/

This thread should give you all the information you need.

https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/s...ght=flat+belts

[clydefrog88]

Originally Posted by RoboChair

1.25" diameter aluminum 6061-T6 with a 1/16" wall thickness sometimes with surgical tubing on the outside(we add) is what 1678 runs for all our intake and ball stuff.

Where do you guys source surgical tubing of that size? And how would you recommend pulling it onto a roller tube? Alcohol as a lubricant?

Thanks!

[6101 Robert]

What about orange urethane cord? Would that work well too?

We haven't built any intakes with urethane cord yet, but we have used in the past. From my experiences with it, it seems like it would work. It's also cheap and easy to build with.

[clydefrog88]

To share our recent experience with the McMaster 1" belt:

http://www.harborfreight.com/130-wat...ife-60313.html

This hot knife along with some clamped angle iron works wonders in joining the flat belts quickly. It's probably overkill for the solid core round tubing.

Also, I've seen a ~10% length reduction recommended for proper tension. This may be feasible for the small diameter round tubing, but you might find that stretching the flat belts that much makes intake assembly, well, difficult. I'm finding that we have sufficient belt tension by simply ignoring roller diameters.

[Mike Marandola]

Is it just me or are people talking about 3 different things? The structural tube for a roller, gripping material to put on the roller, and urethane belting.

[RoboChair]

Originally Posted by clydefrog88

Where do you guys source surgical tubing of that size? And how would you recommend pulling it onto a roller tube? Alcohol as a lubricant?

Thanks!

McMaster Carr specifically we use https://www.mcmaster.com/#5234k91/=1650h8o for our 1.25" OD rollers this year. Yes that is a 0.25" interference.

You cannot pull it on at all. You will need to use compressed air and someone with a reasonably strong arm. Zip-tie/safety-wire one end of the tubing to an air nozzle so that you get a good seal. Next you must plug off your aluminum roller so that air can't flow through it. one person controls air flow, the other holds the tube and tubing and does the hard part. turn on the air and begin pushing the latex on to the aluminum, DO NOT FOR ANY REASON clamp your hand down on the aluminum tube underneath the latex(your hand should never be that far up anyway) or you will get a 100psi balloon animal with a desire to pop. Alternate the airflow on and off to let you move your grip lower on the latex.

If you do not fully understand I can make a youtube video tutorial on Wednesday.