“Electrical solenoid actuators or electromagnets with rated electrical input power no greater than 50 watts (W) continuous duty at 12 volts (VDC) (if qualifying actuator is then used at 24V, it must be approved by the manufacturer for use at 24V)”
I am relatively new to FRC. There are MDR - Motor Driven Rollers used in the industry. There are units that are 48W to stay under the 50W requirements, used in 24v systems. I don’t think they are allowed, but how would I verify this?
Interroll, Pulse, and Itoh Denki are all manufacturers of these type of units.
Motors are pretty well locked down in FRC. I agree with your initial assertion that theses would not be legal as a roller is not a linear actuator or servo and therefore does not fall under the exceptions carved out for them.
As far as verification: the rule you alluded to ( R501 ) is what covers this. It’s not on the allowed motors list, not a electromagnet or solenoid of <50W, not a linear actuator, and not a a servo <$75.
A COTS option in the future would be fantastic for anything that is internal on the bot.
Due to cost and collisions I would be worried about them on external mechanisms. But still, a ton of uses and more industry crossover is a good thing imo
I have no idea how much these things cost per unit ali express has them as low as 60$, regular range seems to be in the $200 ballpark, they are cool, that’s for sure.
Non ali-express shopping puts some of them in the $200 range definitely, not terrible, but i feel like it’s still on the high side for many teams to pick that over makng their own
The cost per motor will be in the $150-$250 range based on the length used. There is also a “Controller Card” needed. The controller cards can operate 1-4 MDRs. The cards are networkable, so direct programming to each motor is available. Price may be what has limited these in the past. (This is my second year… we’ll see with First Inspires says.) The upside is these are used in many locations across many industries.