The Half Way Point

As the halfway point of build season passes, Team 250 has seen much success in prototyping. We have constructed two successful mechanisms to knock the ball off of the overpass. One resembles a crossbow, and is powered by pneumatics. The other is similar to a catapult, and is also powered by pneumatics. The latter, we found through testing, can also double as a hurdling device. We have decided to take this route, and are now pursuing this further.

We have also come up with two ideas to lift the trackball. The first uses two mechanisms resembling claws to grasp the ball from its sides, and lift it up onto the catapult device. These claws were originally thought to be best used for herding, but after seeing what success it had with controlling the trackball, it was then prototyped to lift the ball. The second idea would lift from underneath the ball, and tip it back onto the catapult. Both ideas are currently being prototyped and tested. We have run into a problem: the maximum size for the robot in pay is an 80" cylinder, height is infinite. Trying to manipulate a 40" ball with a robot with a 38" chassis leaves little room for mechanism movement.

The chassis has been built, and will be up and running as soon as it's wired. We've used similar designs for a few years, perfecting it over time. For us, our chassis has been completed in record time; we're hoping to stay on schedule with the rest of the robot. With only a few weeks left, we're pushing full speed ahead. We're aiming for completion by Feb 12 so we will have a full week for driver practice.

We need some help...This ball we're working with is made of expanded PVC which is put in a woven nylon shell that fits very tight. We are trying to find some material to put on our grippers to prevent the ball from slipping. We can't use adhesives, and the non-skid shelf liner we often use isn't effective at all. Anyone know if the tool handle dip stuff provides any anti-slip properties? Any other ideas for what we might use?