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2006 Robot: Ball-istic

 

Name: Ball-istic

Goal: Create an efficient, robust, economical and competitive robot

Design Inspiration: Professional pitching machines

Noteworthy Feature: Energy efficient shooter design – power only required for 1/2 rotation of arm on single throws and approximately a 1/4 rotation for continuous throws

Shooter:

  • Continuous rotation catapult arm powered by a van door motor
  • Uses one way roller clutch bearings allowing the arm to be driven over center point, causing the power-band (surgical tubing) to overrun motor speed and throw balls.
  • One way roller clutch allows capture of momentum for next throwing cycle
  • Throwing velocity is adjustable by length of power-band and attachment point on arm
  • Trajectory is controlled by fixed attachment point of power-band on frame and shape of ball cup (which was inspired by the shape of a Jai alai basket/paddle); the ball release angle is increased by moving the power-band anchor points up.
  • Capable of throwing 1 ball/sec. or single ball throws
  • Highly repeatable arm speed combines with fixed geometry for very accurate throwing
  • Elevated ball release and ball backspin allows for long distance goals
  • Difficult to block because of high release point

Ball Feed:

  • Gravity fed to the arm from the hopper through a custom formed ball tube – low loading point does not require transfer conveyer
  • A ball conveyer (3 polyurethane tubes) lifts balls from the floor to the hopper

Hopper: Basketball Net and ball tube – robot holds 10 balls

Drive Train:

  • 4-wheel drive design provides good traction and ground clearance for easier climbing of the ramp
  • Rear wheels - custom designed foam core fiberglass wheels with rubberized conveyor belt material provide excellent traction while being inexpensive and lightweight.
  • Front wheels – custom designed PVC wheels with reduced traction to limit “crabbing” while turning.

Chassis/Frame Fabrication: Economical and lightweight aluminum tube connected by hand cut sheet metal gussets and pop rivets

Safety Shielding: Plastic garden fencing and Lexan sheeting

2006 Awards: Florida Regional Finalist (Allied with Teams 357 and 1902) More team awards...

(Check out a video of our VEX Ball-istic JR, a fully functional 1/3rd scale reproduction of this FRC robot)