Did any other team but mine go with suction this year to pick up the trackballs???
Forklift
Ours uses a large ( 24" diameter ) saucer shaped, suction cup which is mounted on a bracket, which in turn rides along a cam track, so that the suction cup rotates from 90 degrees ( at 20" above the floor ) to a vertical
position. We then have three rectangular aluminum tubular arms on each side which function like a forklift to elevate the trackball. We’ll put in over the overpass and realise it, back up slightly, and go after the trackball again. It’s amazing how much suction,the smaller motor generates, and how hard it is to knock it loose, if you can.
just forks that pivot back
just forks that pivot back
amen bro’
We are using an automated scooping doo-hicky. From what I hear it works pretty well (picture of it here).
Hmm… sixteen members of 1114 voted for suction. I think it’s a conspiracy.
Here’s a photo of our robot.