DEWBOT XVIII Levitator

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CHARDED UP provides a 2nd means of scoring in addition to placing Game Pieces in NODEs: DOCKING and ENGAGING with the CHARGE STATION. In addition to scoring MATCH POINTS for an alliance, this can also earn an alliance a RANKING POINT during Qualification Matches.

A ROBOT is DOCKED if it is fully supported by the CHARGE STATION at the end of Autonomous or a Match.

A ROBOT is ENGAGED if all alliance ROBOTs contacting the CHARGE STATION are DOCKED and the CHARGE STATION is level (within 2.5º of parallel to the field).

At the end of Autonomous, a ROBOT DOCKED (but not ENGAGED) on the CHARGE STATION earns 8 MATCH POINTS; a ROBOT DOCKED and ENGAGED on the CHARGE STATION earns 12 MATCH POINTS. Only one (1) ROBOT on an alliance may score CHARGE STATION points in Autonomous.

At the end of the match, each ROBOT DOCKED (but not ENGAGED) on the CHARGE STATION earns 6 MATCH POINTS; each ROBOT DOCKED and ENGAGED on the CHARGE STATION earns 10 MATCH POINTS.

During Qualification Matches, an alliance earning 26 or more CHARGE STATION points earns a RANKING POINT. There are five (5) ways of earning 26 or more CHARGE STATION points:

  1. One ROBOT DOCKED (but not ENGAGED) in Autonomous and two (2) ROBOTS DOCKED and ENGAGED at match end (28 points)
  2. No Autonomous points and three (3) ROBOTS DOCKED and ENGAGED at match end) (30 points)
  3. One ROBOT DOCKED and ENGAGED in Autonomous and two (2) ROBOTS DOCKED and ENGAGED at match end (32 points)
  4. One ROBOT DOCKED (but not ENGAGED) in Autonomous and three (3) ROBOTS DOCKED and ENGAGED at match end (38 points)
  5. One ROBOT DOCKED and ENGAGED in Autonomous and three (3) ROBOTS DOCKED and ENGAGED at match end (42 points)

Important: The CHARGE STATION is not wide enough to normally accommodate three (3) ROBOTS. Three (3) of the five (5) means of earning a CHARGE STATION RANKING POINT require DOCKING and ENGAGING three ROBOTS on the CHARGING STATION.

Note: If an alliance ROBOT is in contact with the CHARGING STATION which is level with one or two DOCKED ROBOTS thereon, the ROBOTS DOCKED on the CHARGING STATION are not ENGAGED due to the contact of the non-DOCKED ROBOT with the CHARGING STATION. If your ROBOT is not DOCKED, it needs to keep out of contact with the CHARGE STATION!

Chassis

DEWBOT XVIII's chassis is 31.9" long x 27.9" wide. Modestly narrower than long. By itself, this is a small help to DOCKING three ROBOTS.

But that's not all...

Levitator

DEWBOT XVIII is equipped with a Levitator which comprises a pneumatic cylinder with a foot on a linear slide.

  • Prior to deployment, the cylinder is locked against the right interior wall of the robot
  • During endgame, the ROBOT drives onto the CHARGE STATION and drives so that the ROBOT's right side is at the edge of the CHARGE STATION
  • Deploying the foot (by extending the pneumatic cylinder) lifts the right wheels off the CHARGING STATION and also unlocks the linear slide
  • The robot drives right to shift the cylinder to the interior end of the linear slide, suspending the right side of the robot off the edge of the CHARGE STATION
  • A limit switch shuts down the drive.

The Levitator allows the ROBOT to shift right by 7.5". Assuming it starts with its right perimeter on the CHARGE STATION edge, the Levitator reduces the effective with of DEWBOT XVIII from 31.5" to 24.0", thereby leaving 72" available to alliance partners. If allied with two 30" wide robots, and allowing for 3.5" bumpers, the two alliance partners will fit with 2" of bumper hanging over the opposite edge.

The pneumatic cylinder is a 2" bore, 4" stroke pancake cylinder which has the advantage of possessing a very sturdy, 0.75" diameter rod capable of resisting shear loads. the 2" bore provides more than enough force to support the ROBOT's weight.