Team 3357 in there third year as team is looking to build a mobile work bench to wheel into events versus just using a table in the pit. Things we are looking at putting on include:small storage of parts in tackle box format(for pnuematics and small stuff), battery charging, as well as larger storage area in the bottom middle, what have teams found out work well? pictures would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Josh
Here’s something we built a few years ago:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/35785
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/35786
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/35787
On the first picture, you can see a front view. There’s a folding door that bolts in to close it up, and it folds back along the right side. The left half has 4 KOP chargers (removed from their cases) and two chargers for our drill batteries. The right has movable shelves. The top is an old butchers block, which isn’t going to be breaking.
The second picture shows the left side. We have a built in extension cord, a power strip, and a master on/off switch for the entire cart. There are also 3 fans hooked up with filters installed to ensure the chargers all stay cool.
The third picture is a rear view with the back panel off. The KoP chargers have two circuit boards in them - a small one with the control buttons on it, which is in the front, and a larger one that handles all of the power, which you can see in the back. You can also see how we routed the extension cord into a junction box, and have a second power strip internally for everything that’s permanent.
We made two improvements after these pictures were taken - First, we added some relays between the chargers and the battery cables. This ensures that the batteries are completely disconnected from the chargers when power is turned off (the relay opens when it stops receiving 12V on the signal pin), so they don’t drain back into the chargers. Second, we permanently bolted a vice to the top corner.
The entire thing is on lockable wheels, and is extremely stable in the pit. It’s also built so it can be tipped on its back and slid into the cargo compartment under a normal coach bus.
A year ago we built a Battery Cart. It has 12 slots for batteries with charging ports right next to each one. At the time we have it with 2 3-Bank chargers and 3 1-Bank chargers. The origional plan was to upgrade it when we had more money to 4 3-Bank chargers, but it’s not a high priority right now. The cart can be rolled in a vertical position (like a shipping dolly) or in a laying down position (like a cart). The handle is removable so that when you stand it up it can be stored inside the cover, which is also removable. It was made from 80/20, sheet metal, and a few machined parts here and there.
There is an album of it on facebook with some more detailed pictures. Feel free to ask any questions.
-Nick
what do you guys use in the pit as more of a work bench?
We have 2 solutions:
As a workspace for the robot, we have a tool cart that also is the robot cart. Wheels on the bottom, 2 Craftsman 3-drawer toolboxes with locking drawers (one facing forward, the other rearward) as the ‘body’, with a space between the backs of the toolboxes for batteries and gloves, and a top frame (4 upright pieces) that are custom-made each year to hold the robot firmly. All made of 1.5" 80/20.
The advantages include always having tools with the robot (great during finals), being to get under the robot easily, and a cart that can carry a LOT of equipment into the bag & tag venue (at least 6 Totes).
For our workbench we have, er, a workbench. Made also of 80/20, it has a solid top (on which a vise mounts), outlets along the back ‘wall’ (4" tall), and a shelf half way down. All sized to fit Totes exactly. It breaks down in 5 minutes into a few pieces which are flat and easily carried on a standard flat cart.
When we set up out pit, our first task is to remove the supplied table. We assemble the bench and put the battery card (built onto a hand truck frame) next to it - total is 8 feet wide. Then the robot cart arrives and all the totes are put under the bench, with extras piled next to the bench (if the pit is more than 8 feet wide). The robot cart then goes to get the robot while we put the final touches on the pit and hand-carry stuff not-in-a-Tote.
Pit area:
Sears rolling tool boxes with a $75.00 conter top from home depot that we installed outlets in and attached our banner to.
Cart:
The team bult this cart that has two back to back tool boxes. We can remove the rails and tool boxes for a flat bed.
There was a thread on this not too long ago:
In that thread I posted MOE’s pit design. MOE uses two rolling workbenches that were built in the robot lab by the team over several years. They have two overhead, removable shelving units. Dissassembled, the whole pit can fit in the back of a pickup truck for transport to events. One workbench is shown above. They have a built in vise and I think a drill press.
You can get Autodesk drawings and a ppt presentation on the design at MOE 365 - The MOE Pit
I had seen this thread but was unable to relocate it! thanks for all the input from everyone!