Universal Robot Connector

[efoote868]

What if instead of making a universal latch, for all teams, wouldn't it be better if the teams that planned on specifically lifting robots to make a set of their own latches? Then they could instruct teams on where to place them. With this in mind, i think each team should make sure that their robot is 1/2 - 1 lb underweight (lol, like that would ever happen), so that if they are paired up with a lifter, then it would be much easier to work within the rules.

[eshteyn]

Originally Posted by Gerb4L

Great idea guys! I have a question though: if a robot were to lift an alliance member by pushing up from below would this still count for the points? I was wondering because you have all seemed to be concentrating on lifting from above. I believe that pushing up from below would greatly simplify the problem.



-Gerb4L

Well our team decided how to lift the robot from the bottom and believe it or not the solution to this is seen at every regional event, as well as in every single car in the united states.

[eshteyn]

Also, there is no need for a latch. If you can make your lifting bot lift the alliance member in a smooth motion then you will not have to have a latch. the weight of the robot will be enough to hold him on you lifting surface, and if anything else the other team can thrust forward in order to keep the robot tight on your lifting plane.

[Sidney San Martín]

It was easy just after kickoff, with that crazy image from the animation in our minds, to immediately think of a latch. Some kinda ramp may end up being much more versatile, maybe one which raises to horizontal after the robot has driven onto it.

[nparikh]

Originally Posted by Sidney San Martín

It was easy just after kickoff, with that crazy image from the animation in our minds, to immediately think of a latch. Some kinda ramp may end up being much more versatile, maybe one which raises to horizontal after the robot has driven onto it.

Aha! But a ramp that can lift 240lbs? (2x120lb robots in theory)

[PhilBot]

Originally Posted by Gerb4L

Great idea guys! I have a question though: if a robot were to lift an alliance member by pushing up from below would this still count for the points? I was wondering because you have all seemed to be concentrating on lifting from above. I believe that pushing up from below would greatly simplify the problem.
-Gerb4L

I agree, lifting from below would be mechanically simpler, since you could get leverage directly off the ground. You need to distribute the lift so the other robot stays ballanced (maybe 3 or 4 lift points).

All the rules say is the the lowest point of the other robot must be 4+ or 12+" off the ground.

[mehul]

Originally Posted by eshteyn

Well our team decided how to lift the robot from the bottom and believe it or not the solution to this is seen at every regional event, as well as in every single car in the united states.

lol i had exact same idea its the simplest and yet it would work with any robot that moves without additional requirements.

[usbcd36]

Originally Posted by PhilBot

Yeah.. USBCD36....

Our team also like the idea of a ramp/platform soultion. Let's fact it, all the bots will have the ability to move... If we could get some standardization on minimal ramp climbing ability/clearance requirements we could get some cool cooperative alliances.

A 4" platform with a short ramp seems more universally achievable than a 12" platform, which would need a much longer ramp for many bots. But, we do have the ability to specify a much more grippy ramp material, so it could be made easier than last year's ramp.

I see a new scouting class distinction here: Are you a Lifter or a Ramper?

I wasn't thinking of it being nearly as steep as the ramps were last year, since most robots with center wheel drive couldn't get up. One of my team members calculated that the simplest ramp to make would have about an 18° slope. Is that reasonable for most 'bots?

[Sidney San Martín]

Originally Posted by nparikh

Aha! But a ramp that can lift 240lbs? (2x120lb robots in theory)

An arm would do better?

Originally Posted by mehul

lol i had exact same idea its the simplest and yet it would work with any robot that moves without additional requirements.

Someone just say it so it's out in the thread for discussion.

[TD78]

Originally Posted by nparikh

Aha! But a ramp that can lift 240lbs? (2x120lb robots in theory)

Or even as high as ~300#?

[120# + 13# (battery) + 15# (bumpers)]*2 = 296#

I think we will probably see more ramps than arms...can you imagine a robot trying to lift another robot and seeing it tip over? I'm positive (and hopeful) that teams would think about such a scenario beforehand, but I don't see going through all the trouble when a ramp is easier to build.

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by nparikh

Aha! But a ramp that can lift 240lbs? (2x120lb robots in theory)

Way back in '02, we had three goals to play with. each weighed over 200 lbs and there were several robots that would lift two. Of course that was only to transfer the weight to your wheels for traction so we didn't have to go quite so high, but it is doable. It is only a matter of how long you want to take

ChrisH