Robotics - Metallic

In this first robotics meeting after our third meet, we spent some time replacing the lift motor that my programming error burned out. After that, the main engineer/builder continued the metallization of the cardboard engineering that had been done in a rush before the third meet.

The U-shaped piece that routes the balls from the intake device to the hopper has been reconstructed in metal with hand bending and tinsnips. It still needs a cover on the top to prevent balls from just flying away after being sucked up, but when we manually held a cover on, the balls frequently were successfully dropped into the hopper.

The gears on the intake motor were reversed for increased power. Unfortunately, it now goes so slow that small balls slip back out. We may have to put it back or use a 1:1 gear ratio.

Meanwhile, the other team is having severe issues with their lift. They snapped the fishing line several times and shattered two 3D-printed linear bearings. More of those will be printed this weekend.