DEWBOT X Shooting

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Revision as of 16:36, 17 March 2014 by MaiKangWei (talk | contribs) (Approaches Evaluated)

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Specifications

  • SAFETY: The stored energy intrinsic to this game makes it very easy and tempting to design a robot capable in inflicting serious injury. DEWBOT X accidents should not be capable of breaking bones or causing serious crushing injuries
  • Score in High Goal Reliably (and on the move)
  • Truss shots - to Human Players or alliance robots
  • Pass to other robots - superceded by Roller Frame

The drive team's shooting focus was on scoring via high-trajectory, short distance shots, prefferably in contact with the low goal. There was also a clear desire for a lower-trajectory, longer scoring shot. Scoring from the white zone was nice-to-have for autonomous, but not considered essential.

Approaches Evaluated

A number of approached to shooting were considered, including a catapult, slingshot, roller-claw with spring-loaded punch and a direct pneumatic punch. All but the roller claw advanced to prototype testing. A direct pneumatic firing catapult entered the field as a late contender and was also prototyped.

Direct pneumatic punch did not provide the speed needed and was abandoned.

Successful catapult and slingshot prototypes were built and tested. Both utilized latex tubing as springs. the catapult had the advantage of being able to make significantly longer shots than the slingshot. Scoring from the white zone appeared to be possible with the catapult, but not with the slingshot.

The decision was made for the Slingshot on 13-January based on two factors:

  1. Safety - The sligshot approach significantly reduced the potential for injury

Safety Considerations

Slingshot

Winch vs Pneumatic retraction

Winch