I'm participating in a Robotics competition where we need to build a pole climbing robot that can climb up a pole, retrieve a ball placed on top of it and put the ball back in a box. This is the link to the problem statement - 404 Not Found
I wanted ideas on how to design a robot that can climb a pole easily. I have several designs in mind but I'm doubtful whether they'll work or not, suggestions from you guys would be really helpful. Here are some examples - Escalade Prelims Media Coverage - TV10, Vishakapatnam, Techniche '13 - YouTube
I basically want to know how do I keep the bot from falling down while it picks the ball? Its a time based competition so I need a solution that's fast and easy. I also need to know which motors should I use? How much torque is essential? I would require a shield to connect 2 motors and a servo to my Arduino. I can take care of the coding and electronics part, I just need help with the design. It would be great if you guys helped me out.
Thanks in advance!
Edit- Yes, I'm allowed to copy the robot in the video. And those who are asking whether they are allowed to give suggestions - Yes, you are allowed. The organisers have no problem with that. I need to know whether a 200 RPM motor with 10 kg torque be okay? Well, I may be asking dumb questions but I'm the youngest guy participating (I'm 16) so I need a bit of guidance as I have made just 2 simple robots as yet.
I can see the need for 3 motors.
one to power the device up the pole
one to move the ball into the collection device
one to empty the collection device.
it could be done with one, or more than three.
I would think it would me more fun to have it completely autonomous.
I would have liked to see higher point for better targeting of the ball placement.
I wonder if we could get DuctTape to sponsor such a contest with a pole made out of duct tape and more than 50% of the machine made of duct tape.
Robin2:
When I queried the need for more than 1 motor I was only thinking of the climbing process.
You are quite right that some "motors" are needed for other purposes - servos, perhaps?
...R
for fun, one should not be allowed to use two of the same technology.
I built a rube goldberg showing screw, wedge, lever. it picked up a tea bag and moved it to the cup and placed it in the cup.
one balloon spun the screw to transport the teabag..... lots of fun.
puff of air to move the ball ?
I have been rattling an idea of a tree climbing machine. move sideways to pass branches, climb the tree. couple different ideas that occupy my mind on the ride to work. all cerebral, never going to actually build one.
How is the pole?. How tall? Which section? Which surface? Which color?
follow the link.
Pole: A vertical pole stands in the middle of the arena. The height of Pole is 700 mm. Pole has a square cross section with outer side length of 2 inches. Pole is divided into 2 equal halves. The bottom half is white and the top half is black. Ref. fig. 1(a) and 1(b)
Ball: The ball is placed on the top of the pole. The diameter of the ball is 40mm. Weight of ball is 2.7gms approx.
Disposal zone: This zone is divided into 4 equal parts marked with Red, Yellow, Green and Blue with Red being closest and blue being the farthest from the Pole. Each part is 40mm in width and 90mm in height. Ref. fig. 1(c).
I would have liked to see a golf tee and extra points for sitting it on the tee.
dave-in-nj:
I can see the need for 3 motors.
one to power the device up the pole
one to move the ball into the collection device
one to empty the collection device.
it could be done with one, or more than three.
I would think it would me more fun to have it completely autonomous.
I would have liked to see higher point for better targeting of the ball placement.
I wonder if we could get DuctTape to sponsor such a contest with a pole made out of duct tape and more than 50% of the machine made of duct tape.
Robin2:
Are you allowed to copy the robot in the video? - that seems an obvious solution.
Why do you think you need more than 1 motor?
Are you allowed to seek advice here?
If you use advice from the Forum will you mention that in your project description?
...R
Yes, I'm allowed to copy the robot. I accidentally wrote 4 motors, It was supposed to be 2 motors (for climbing) and two servos (for ball withdrawal). I'm allowed to seek advice here and I will mention it in the project description.
This sounds like you would need a good torque stepper motor or a worm gear setup. Also you would need some good grip wheels, maybe polyurethane or a very soft rubber compound.
HazardsMind:
This sounds like you would need a good torque stepper motor or a worm gear setup. Also you would need some good grip wheels, maybe polyurethane or a very soft rubber compound.
A Stepper motor would make it too slow. I'm trying the worm gear setup. I'm looking for the perfect wheels, hard to find them in India. Thanks for your help!
HazardsMind:
This sounds like you would need a good torque stepper motor or a worm gear setup. Also you would need some good grip wheels, maybe polyurethane or a very soft rubber compound.
A Stepper motor would make it too slow. I'm trying the worm gear setup. I'm looking for the perfect wheels, hard to find them in India. Thanks for your help!
direct drive on the stepper to the wheel would make only a very few recolutions to climb the post. should be very fast.
