Video of 1583’s ramp deployment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt0u_vh3KM0
That is one very nice ramp.
I especially like the way the ramp lowers gradually rather than crashin down.
Very smooth. Much better than letting gravity do the work. 
Gravity does do the work. Each ramp is pushed over center by a Banebot 64:1 gearmotor hooked to a lead screw. It then detaches and the ramps fall to the ground. The key is control. The big ramp has lots of air resistance and the smaller one is not let drop very far. Both ramps have energy absorbing material that dampen their impact with the ground. We’ve even thought of using “whoopy cushions” for that function.
impressive, i must say. my team went for a ramp and arm combo, it’s been havoc for the structures team.
Is there any way you could post this video clip on something else so that I can show it to my team? You Tube is blocked at the school
Is that your whole robot? So your only strategy is to provide a ramp for bonus points, and push robots trying to score?
Our only strategy to score points is to elevate our alliance partners during the end game. Prior to that we are going to play the best defense we can. Our robot was designed from the start as a defensive machine. Our big ramp is 6 ft tall is hard to see around when between you and the rack. The robot is tall and wide enough that parked in front of the rack you’re not going to reach over us very easily or if at all. We have a play book full of defensive tactics and are coming up with more daily.
Are you providing a ramp and a lifting arm? or can you be lifted?
Does your ramp accomodate 2 robots?
We have room enough for two robots. Check out this video of our ramp driving test http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyTBvyRluOs. We do not have a arm and even though we only weigh 100LBS it would be hard for another robot to lift us (too bulky). We can drive up on another robot though if we need to.