Our team was at a loss for trying to make a telescopic arm and I thought of coming here but wasn’t exactly sure where to put it. Does anybody have any good ideas for making a telescopic arm for like climbing or know of any videos or stuff like that? Thanks in advance
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Depending oh how you power the arms something as simple as increasing diameters of PVC pipe can make a telescoping arm. If you look at 2011 robots there are some great examples of vertically extending arms.
We don’t even know how to move the segments if we tried that, how would you power it? My thought was pneumatic but we need it shorter thank the full length
Use a shorter pneumatic piston. The only restriction is that the piston (cylinder) be rated to 125 psi.
Also, look at some of 254’s cable-powered lifts, for example in 2007. That takes a motor, a winch, and some cable or rope, along with pulleys. A little more work, perhaps, but infinite positions within the range of motion.
If its single stage (it should be), a leadscrew and Delrin sliders should get you started. 2016’s 2011 robot is a good example that at one point we considered emulating.
We strongly considered emulating 1551’s Regional-winning arm from 2010. Oh, and then we did that, with some modifications, because, well, emulating a prior success seemed like a good idea. 
We used Bosch Rexroth extruded aluminum and delrin sliders on an aluminum carriage, on a fast multi-start screw driven by a CIM. This year we’re going with two CIMs and some constant-force springs (because we learned some things from 2010!) The drive mechanism is heavy, but we think it’s necessary to ensure a stable, smooth, efficient climb.
We’re making a 4 stage telescopic arm. The base is 5x5 aluminum square tubing, the next stage is 4x4, then 3x3 and 2x2. I’d suggest searching for images of telehandlers for inspiration. JLG, Genie, and several others make a lot of machines like this. Your local Sunbelt or United rental may even let you analyze one up close.
As Chris said, we have used the lead screw three years in a row for different functions…
It is easy and effective for the right function.
If you have any questions on building a telescoping arm reach out to me and I can share the appropriate details.
Back to basics.
Look at this link from Andy at AndyMark. It has a nice diagram of how a telescoping system works.
You can put the tubes inside each other or slide them along side each other, either way will work.
Here is an old CD thread that might help, also,
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87748&highlight=manipulators
Finally, many pop-up campers use cable lift systems. Here is a link to how they work.
ttp://www.customcylindersintinc.com/understanding_camping_trailers_roof_lift_systems.htm
Dr. Bob
Chairman’s Award is not about building the robot. Every team builds a robot.