2009:Mechanical 2.19.2009

Larry's Note for Today

Hey guys just a comment.  I was looking at Chief Delphi last night and there are a lot of good teams that have released pictures and videos of their robots.  One of the main themes that I was able to pull from this is that they were using a design of multiple closely spaced round belts on rollers with a taller material between the rollers.  Simliar to what we saw with HFL's robot.  I think that it would be very benificial to go with a simliar design for our redesigned rollers.  So please see some of the pictures and videos out there on Chief Delphi when you get the chance.

Tom C - summary of e-mail to mechanical members...

I know most of us are going over possible options to resolve the current belt jumping issues we are experiencing. I have gather some materials that may help or stimulate other thoughts. These are at our home in Penfield, and Cynette is home this week if anybody wanted to experiment with or see them. I can be available tonight as required.

1. I have 3/4" ID diameter by 1" OD clear tubing about ~30" length for experimentation. 1/8" wall makes this fairly stiff. The 3/4" ID would be a snug fit on the existing conveyor shafts. Options would be to coat the entire shaft and run round or "V" belts directly on the tube OD. Or use it in sections and run the belts on the aluminum and have the tube act as belt guides and also help with ball driving? Or some combination with another material - like pool noodles?

2. I have gathers a few thin wall, very light weight spools (we use for winding copper wire to make motor bobbins). We have several sizes, One has a 1" ID which could press fit over the tube mentioned above. The OD of the spools is about 2" and can be turned down to what ever size would work best. We could run belts in these spools or outside of the spools and use them to guide belt tracking?