Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #10179
To: beam@sgiblab.sgi.com
From: Dennison Bertram dibst11+@pitt.edu
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2000 19:10:09 -0500
Subject: Univeristy of Pittsburgh Robotics ClubRE: BEAM at school
> This is kinda what I'm noticing. I'm the president, (and founder!) of the
> University of PIttsburgh Robotics club. We had SOO many people show up
first
> meeting, but you know, now there are only like five people. So, it's
tough,
> that's for sure, but I bet It will work out in the end.
>
> dennison
>
>
> This is my 3rd year on our schools robotics team. This year we're
> competining in Canada FIRST in RoboHockey.
> Here's what I noticed as a member of the Gordon Graydon Robotics Team and
> school:
>
> The 1st meeting you get about 80 people show up. At each meeting this
number
> divides by about 2, until the team levels off at about 4 - 7 members. But
> this is all work on one large robot... so its not as if everyone has
always
> something to do.
>
> For sponsors, we managed to get some from the school and from Ontario
Power
> Generation. Total amount = $8000 CAN.
> ______________________________________________________
>
10180 Sun, 13 Feb 2000 17:20:33 -0700 [alt-beam] Re: Did I mention the BEAM workshops? beam@sgiblab.sgi.com Dave Hrynkiw At 03:48 PM 2/13/00 , you wrote:
>Hey Dave,
> Where in Montana is this thing to be taking place?
>Missoula perhaps? (I couldn't find this info)
Did I say Montana? Sorry, I meant Colorado. Telluride, Colorado
Regards,
Dave
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Um, no - that's H,R,Y,N,K,I,W. No, not K,I,U,U, K,I,_W_. Yes,
that's right. Yes, I know it looks like "HOCKYRINK." Yup, only
2 vowels. Pronounciation? _SMITH_".
http://www.solarbotics.com
10181 Sun, 13 Feb 2000 17:42:42 -0800 [alt-beam] Re: Cool Idea Answers beam@sgiblab.sgi.com Bruce Robinson BUDSCOTT@aol.com wrote:
>
> If anybody has had experience working with solenoids, i'd
> appreciate their input on my hypothosis, i could be greatly
> mistaken on how well solenoids would work under this application.
Just like motors, there are solenoids, and then there are solenoids.
Even if they don't require much voltage, a solenoid may need more
current than your circuit can supply. So if it doesn't work the first
time, shop around for other types of solenoids.
Try to keep the moving part as light as possible. Tricky, because it is
a large chunk of iron, usually. If the mass is too high, you'll use up
all your energy just accelerating the core.
Some solenoids are meant to operate "on the level". If you tilt them,
the spring may not be stiff enough to push the core back up. With some
ingenuity, you can often install stiffer springs.
I have seen "pull" solenoids that could be easily converted to push
types by attaching a small rod to the core and running it out through
the "back side".
I have here a very nice solenoid for your application, removed from a
non-functioning doorbell chime. It was mounted vertically, and the core
was pulled down against a spring to strike a bell. The problem would be
to find two matching units.
Have fun,
Bruce
10182 Sun, 13 Feb 2000 22:13:48 -0500 [alt-beam] Re: Cool idea, or so I think II alt-beam@egroups.com David Simmons
BUDSCOTT@aol.com wrote:
> >From the responses, i'm gonna give it a shot. Solenoids it is (thats how ya
> spell it).
>
> So here's the run down for anyone interested
>
>
> put at a 30 degree angle from the ground parrallel to the cap. The angle is
> going to be critical, because if it mounts at to steep an angle, it will tip
>
>
> -Spencer
My son has been working with small 3v solenoids for several weeks now and would
be very interested in seeing your results. Any pic's that are too large to post
direct to the list could you forword direct to my e-mail address above please.
As to the mount, if you want the SOLEBot (My sons name) to turn towards light
you need to mount the solenoids at compound angles forward of the centre of
gravity. I would stay away from any wheels, Kyle has been using small pieces of
Teflon as back support to keep everything stable. Wieght is even more of a
issue, the lighter the better. Push solenoids are better but hard to find at 3v,
we have been using the clear plastic from packaging to keep the pins in place on
pull type. Next, we have been taking about a walker using Solenoids, but so far
tests have not gone well.
Keep us posted!
Dave and Kyle
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