We spent a lovely day doing our final (well almost) integration. We are getting close. Hope you enjoy. Good luck this season…
http://www.frc272.com/Videos/2008TestFiring.wmv
PS - You can visit our web site for many more pictures.
Alright - how are you pulling that sling down? That is totally awesome!!
Impressive …
We call it a “Cross bow” design after one of our mentors named Cross (his idea).
-
Electromagnet below (on its own surgical tubing) is raised and is energized when it meets top plate on sling.
-
Pull down electromagnet and now sling with 2 Fisher-Price transmissions facing each other using custom built aluminum drum.
-
We are working on “bottom out” sensors.
Release and enjoy…
That’s awesome!
My team was considering this but the only way we though we could disengage the drive motor from the pulley system was to use some sort of clutch…
boy did you prove us wrong! 
But for the 6000$ question: are electromagnets Legal?
I hope they are, but from what I see your design could be modified to work without one (some sort of railing system with a latch perhaps).
Good luck!
-Leav
as far as i can tell electromagnets are not specified under the list of non-legal components… i could have sworn they were though so if someone could confirm this that would be great
Larkin, you sick boy … very well done … we’ll do our best not to break down in front of you
We are not sure how much force it takes to pull it down.
Rich Kressly will tell you that I am not often mistaken for dainty and I have a tough time pushing it down.
In 2006 I know I saw many teams using elecrtomagnets so I am not concerned. I am going with that.
I am almost completely sure that electromagnets are not a legal device.
<R60> Items specifically PROHIBITED from use on the ROBOT include:
Electric motors and/or servos different from, or in addition to, those in the Kit Of Parts, with
the exception of those specifically permitted by Rule <R59>.
Electric solenoid actuators (note: electric solenoid actuators are NOT the same as pneumatic
solenoid valves – the latter are permitted, the former are not).
Electromagnets are defined as electric solenoids and hence can not be used.
I believe the rules are very clear on the use of electromagnets, but if you persist in your design you should definitely submit a QandA query.
Also see this 2006 q&a response
http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=416&highlight=electromagnet
With the caveat that rules (and updates and Q&As) from prior years do not apply this year, I’d say that effectively disallows electromagnets.
Thanks for the responses and the heads up. I just submitted a Q&A request.
I am now going to throw up… 
I’m sorry…It’s still a really cool design! 
I don’t think it is as much of a set back as you think–you still have a week and replacing the electromagnet with a switch would require relatively little work. Imagine the sequence goes something like this.
-
Pneumatic Cylinder is actuated hooking into surgical tubing.
-
Surgical tubing is pulled down using fischer price motors.
-
Pneumatic cylinder is released.
You have an amazing robot with lots of potential so this minor set back shouldn’t hurt you too much.
Darn… the video doesn’t seem to be working for me, but taking a look at your web site it looks like you have some neat ideas.
IF the magnet is not allowed, I hope you find a way to keep what sounds like a great launcher launching.
IF it is disallowed, then thank goodness you posted the video here and found out now! That is not something you want to find out on Thursday at a competition!
Good luck with the Q&A and any changes that may be needed.
Jason
Got an answer from Q&A.
The answer is yes as long as it does not intefer with other robot’s operation.
http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=8719&highlight=electro
I thought I heard a big sigh from the south 
Good looking machine Frank and crew! 272 will be a force to be reckoned with as always!
Well I am stepping back from the edge… 
Did I see a WPI shirt?
Yup, got a couple of kids interested in going there.