1629 (GaCo) Robot Videos

[PhilBot]

More videos coming out of the woodwork...

Detailed robot functions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKdTJSR-KuU

Ball Pickup and Hurdle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx013kkWBE

[DanDon]

Bold move forgoing a ball-knocker offer. I wonder how you guys settled that in your strategy/design discussions.

And wicked cool drivetrain setup .

[PhilBot]

Originally Posted by DanDon

Bold move forgoing a ball-knocker offer.

Bold or stupid.... we'll find out.

Funny though... Last year it seemed like FIRST was trying to force teams to cooperate with that whole lifting-bonus thing. In my opinion it was too overt & didn't work out.

This year I think they are being stealthy, and making us cooperate by giving us a problem that's too hard for one team to "do everything" on. This way teams "need" to cooperate to get high points. eg: three robots, two balls. Eg: shooters & knockers working together. (Boy that sounds bad

Phil.

[i_am_samus]

Not only does it perform beautifully, but you made it look so beautiful.

Very professionally done!

[zivo123]

one question about your drivetrain...WTF is going on there???
you've got me amezed ill tell you that..
really cool robot!!!

[Greg Needel]

It looks like you will be a very desirable alliance partner this year.

Do you guys need to push the ball up against the wall to get it or can you grab the ball in the middle of the field?

[DanDon]

Originally Posted by Greg Needel

It looks like you will be a very desirable alliance partner this year.

Do you guys need to push the ball up against the wall to get it or can you grab the ball in the middle of the field?

My guess is they can now grip it in the middle of the field. The description in the second video states:

Originally Posted by GaCo 1629

An initial test of the trackball pickup and Hurdle. The newer design has stronger, shorter legs to pickup the ball, which does not require the ball to be against anything.

Emphasis mine.

[Dr Theta]

Where is your flag holder?

[PhilBot]

Originally Posted by Dr Theta

Where is your flag holder?

The flag holder gets attached to the main pivot of the hurdler. It's a simple flexible rod anchored at the base, just inside the size limits.

It's actually in the path of the ball during hurdling, but we've used a flexible rod so that gets deflected out during the launch.

We'll see whether it conforms to a "hard mount" specification.

Worst case we can adapt the holder to a pivot arangement that will move out of the way of the ball after the game starts.

[PhilBot]

Originally Posted by zivo123

one question about your drivetrain...WTF is going on there???

The drive train is pretty simple: It's based on a soap-box derby style steering x 2. Two axles, that each pivot on the frame. Each axle has two CIM/banebot gearbox and custom made 4" traction wheel combination. A 3:1 gear ratio makes for a fast, torquey drive.

The axles are conneced diagonally with a tie-rod so they pivot in opposite directions to make turning a dream. A fifth motor (van door) is used as a closed loop steering motor to get predictable turn rates. We use a steering wheel to drive. The axle angle is slaved to the steering wheel, like a real car.

Body stability is handled by using two lazy-susan bearings on the axles, with a central bolt for strength. Our center of gravity is at about 6" when retracted, but it never gets more than about 12" high at any time.

Four pressure tanks for pneumatics. The hurdle force is provided 50/50 by springs and pneumatics. Pneumatics charge the springs, and then the scoop is latched. We can then vent the cylinders ready for launch. When we are ready to hurdle, we charge the other side of the cylinders and then relase the latch. Sepparate solenoids are used for pressurizing each side of each cylinder to provide independant control with high flow rates.