possible solution to the static problem

[ZInventor]

our team found out that our robot was a very efficient vann-de-graff generator ( we have super-fuzzy paint rollers spinning against PVC!!!, oh and di i mention, there are two, one at the top, and one at the bottom, with surgical tubin in between...)

i've been shocked many times, and at the PDX regional, several robots would drive across the field, hit the wall, discharge the static and die...

this led to some teams mot doing at all as well as they could have...

also, the feild was set up on top of big rubber mats, on top of an ice rink... (i don't know why they didn't just use the ice!!!

I hope this whole fiasco is figured out before championships!!!!!

-Z

[keehun]

Originally Posted by ZInventor

our team found out that our robot was a very efficient vann-de-graff generator ( we have super-fuzzy paint rollers spinning against PVC!!!, oh and di i mention, there are two, one at the top, and one at the bottom, with surgical tubin in between...)

Wow! Our robot is very similar in terms of generating static. Our ball collecting mechanism is many brushes made out of pneumatic tubing spinning really fast (like the front brush of many household vacuums) and we are generating a lot of static..

Originally Posted by ZInventor

i've been shocked many times, and at the PDX regional, several robots would drive across the field, hit the wall, discharge the static and die...

Die, meaning communications being dropped? Driver stations fried? cRio fried?

Originally Posted by ZInventor

I hope this whole fiasco is figured out before championships!!!!!

Hehe, I hope it is figured out before Week six events

But good luck to everyone!

keehun
Team 2502

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Dave,
I was up in Milwaukee last night and they reported using the static spray and had no problems that they could pinpoint as a static issue during practice. Milwaukee is on concrete and it was pretty cold up there so the heat is on.

[Pat Roche]

Sorry if this is a repeat I didn't have alot of time to post. We have begun using dryer sheets to wipe both the wheels and any lexan and/or plastic on the robot after every match. Thus far it has worked quite well to reduce the amount of static being carried by the robot. We have added it to our list of procedures after the match and only takes a couple of students a minute or two to do.

Just my $.02

Pat

[Matt C]

Originally Posted by Pat Roche

Sorry if this is a repeat I didn't have alot of time to post. We have begun using dryer sheets to wipe both the wheels and any lexan and/or plastic on the robot after every match. Thus far it has worked quite well to reduce the amount of static being carried by the robot. We have added it to our list of procedures after the match and only takes a couple of students a minute or two to do.

Just my $.02

Pat

Is also makes your robot "Springtime Fresh"!