11-02-2011 12:46

Brandon Holley

Re: pic: Almost Finished

Reminds me a lot of this: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/27788


Not a bad robot to draw a similarity to! Do you mind sharing some specs about this? Any videos of it functioning?

-Brando

11-02-2011 13:55

Nadav Zingerman

Re: pic: Almost Finished

Does it reach all of the pegs?

11-02-2011 19:02

Mike Soukup

Re: pic: Almost Finished

I didn't think it was possible to add an extra degree of freedom to a Wildstang arm, but you guys did it. Be nice to your programmers, give them extra time to tame it

11-02-2011 19:55

Nadav Zingerman

Re: pic: Almost Finished

Didn't the wildstang arm pivot sideways? Wouldn't that make it the same amount of degrees of freedom?

11-02-2011 22:44

rsegrest

Re: pic: Almost Finished

WOW! Thanks for all the comments and questions! Starting at the top...

Waiting on editor to put video together to post to YouTube so they are coming soon. Have video of it working although controls are super sensitive right now (adjusting sensitivity in programing as we speak).

We take the comparisons as a huge compliment so thank you!

Specs:
For the arm:
1/4 inch aluminum

4 Banebots:
256:1 2x
64:1 1x
4:1 1x (claw)

Big sprockets, little sprockets, lots of chain...(i.e. not sure of all the technical jargon... ) All thread and the 4:1 Banebot for the claw all controlled by Victors

Direct drive mecanums originally built with KoP gearboxes but switching over to Toughboxes because of gear ratios...weighed in today at 105 without battery...

Still need to cover pinch points, add positive stops, and practice...

This is by far the most advanced robot we've built and we are SUPER excited!!!!!!

11-02-2011 22:46

rsegrest

Re: pic: Almost Finished

Not quite, the only peg we cannot reach is the center topmost peg but we can pick up tubes off the ground...

11-02-2011 22:57

xoxophyllis

Re: pic: Almost Finished

That's a cool robot! But what about your bumpers? Are they still under construction? (;

11-02-2011 23:27

rsegrest

Re: pic: Almost Finished

Note that in the background there is a blue bumper. They are actually 98% complete (waiting on the front and back blue bumpers to be completed).

12-02-2011 00:05

Michael Corsetto

Re: pic: Almost Finished

You couldn't extend any of the arm linkages even a bit to reach that topmost peg? Quite frankly it is a waste to have so many degree's of freedom and not have full range of functionality. There will be teams with one or two degrees of freedom and have more range than you. Consider revising, there's still 11 days left! Looking forward to seeing video.

-Mike

12-02-2011 16:26

rsegrest

Re: pic: Almost Finished

Finally have the videos posted. This is the first arm test and we learned something very valuable...never let the programmer drive....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5ePJ..._order&list=UL

12-02-2011 16:59

CidTeach

Re: pic: Almost Finished

hey guys, great vid. awesome bot.
If i may offer some criticism.... change the gear ratio's at the arms joints to slow it down mechanically. seems like its very sensitive to the joystick(ie too fast for its own good.). If you just swap out the driven gear/sprocket it will help reduce speed and load on motors and slow it down to a more controllable speed without programming changes.
We've had similar situations and its an easier fix than you may think.

goodluck see ya around!

NY First rox!

12-02-2011 19:13

rsegrest

Re: pic: Almost Finished

Your suggestion is already in the works. Currently we are using a 64:1 gear ratio on the wrist and we are going to change it to a 256:1 gear ratio.

I am assuming that you are talking about the ginormous sprocket at the shoulder as the one you suggest we change. I will ask why they chose that particular sprocket (I'm the coach who is still learning about all this stuff, not the children who designed it ) and if we can gear it down some...

I tell the kids all the time that constructive criticism is always welcome as long as it is given in the true spirit of improvement and not just to be ugly...

12-02-2011 20:39

XaulZan11

Re: pic: Almost Finished

Just remember to be safe when testing the robot. Always wear saftey glasses. There were several times the tube and robot came very close to unprotected eyes.

12-02-2011 20:42

Chris is me

Re: pic: Almost Finished

The big sprocket at the end would slow it down more than a small one would. Bigger reduction.

13-02-2011 01:34

CidTeach

Re: pic: Almost Finished

i was referring to the elbow and wrist ( i guess the uber large sprocket is your shoulder). if they are say 12 (driver) and 24 (driven) that'll give ya a 1:2 reduction. if space/time permits swap the 24 for a 28, 30, 36 etc... however large ya can cram in there and it will help lower the ratio and speed. no need to play with software. it'll also help by providing some more precision for the drivers. i personally prefer spacely sprockets over cogswell cogs.
oh yeah and dont forget some cool lexan on the sides of your tower - awesome real estate for sponsors and team info!

13-02-2011 16:33

Duke461

Re: pic: Almost Finished

Looks Good! The only thing i would suggest is make as much time as possible for the drivers to practice.
Good luck,
-duke

14-02-2011 18:49

rsegrest

Re: pic: Almost Finished

Great minds think alike! Lexan is already in the works (purchased it Saturday afternoon).

At the wrist and elbow we are actually using a 1:1 gear ratio so that the orientation remains the same when the base is rotated. We decided on this because we were hoping that it would make us more effective in game play and give us more control. They are opting to adjust control through programming (can you believe it, a programmer who actually wants to change his code ).