6925 W.A.Robotics - Open Alliance Build Thread 2023

[Pompano]

Offseason Project #1:

T-Shirt Cannon:

Building a T-shirt cannon robot

Me and some other members of my robotics team were passed down an independent study from a former member which was a barebones concept for a T-shirt cannon robot. Containing 3 barrels that are all fed by one larger 150psi tank, many issues arose however the largest was its limited capability as far as shots fired before the tank would need to be refilled. We could maybe get off 2 shots before we would have to refill the tank. Wanting to have a working T-shirt cannon robot, some of the people on …

The post above was a very early brainstorm of what our T-shirt cannon could be. That quickly turned into a whole project, and we went from idea to final in about 2 months. The pictures below are the final product.

CAD LINK

Build Process:

• We decided it would be a good idea to use SDS MK4 swerve modules on it in order to get extra practice with swerve before the season as it is our plan to run the MK4i’s.
• The frame is entirely made from our spare VEX ecosystem parts (VersaFrame, gussets, etc). For 2023 we want to move away from VEX as a supplier so it was good to use everything up.
• The pneumatic loops includes a 4500 PSI airsoft tank that feeds a HornBlasters “holding-tank” as we call it, this is regulated at ~120 PSI and has a blow-off valve if it goes any higher than that. This air is then released by any of the three solenoids connected to the tank and barrels via fittings and 3D prints.
• Everything that could be 3D printed, we 3D printed. It is a very useful resource and it is very easy to get right if you have the right printer. We have 2 MakerBot Method X’s and 2 MakerBot Methods. We use the Method X to print anything that needs to be structural strong because it can print in CFN-12 and CFN. Everything else was done with Black PLA on the regular Method.

Video of us presenting it to our school’s president and vice president