How are all you guys getting your minibots down? We have been trying to figure out what is the best way of doing it, so your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks and good luck!
Our robot has the Mindstorms brick on it, with the DC motor controller. It is a bit slower than a minibot without the brick on it (obviously it adds weight), but it solves the issue of starting the minibot at the beginning of the end game, stopping when the minibot hits the top of the tower, and reversing the minibot slowly down the pole.
Limit switches seem to work for us. Limit switch that makes the motor(s) run when the 'bot is on the pole, and a limit switch on the top for when the minibot hits the top (turns off motor(s) and coasts down). Only problem with this option is that coasting and falling may seem the same, but one is far more deadly for your minibot.
the field crew has a hook they can use as long as it can be easily pulled down.
Our minibot decided it didn’t want to come down a few times and the field crew gladly helped us out.
Ours has a limit switch so it automatically goes down.
You should use a limit switch at the top of the pole to short out the motors. In turn this will create an automatic breaking system because the electric motors will generate electricity as they come down the pole.
We have a 3-way light switch on our minibot. When the minibot reaches the top of the tower, we have it so it turns the light switch to the “OFF” position… this basically crosses the leads of the motors, causing the minibot to come down nice and slow. You have to get the wiring right though; between the motors and the battery (we also have a separate limit switch on there as well). Hope this helps! Send me a PM if you need more assistance or more detailed information.
We send out our 6’6" junior. He just give a little hop and down it comes.:yikes: