DUG
Our team's second robot, DUG was constructed for the VEX Turning Point game. It was mainly designed to shoot balls with its flywheel system in order to gain flag points, but can also park on platforms with its upgraded drivetrain.
Chassis
DUG has an upgraded chassis that allows it to park on the platforms. We started with a general drivetrain with standard wheels to prevent slipping off of the platform.
We later adjusted spacing to allow several additional wheels that would allow DOUG to drive up the platform sides. The elevated wheels in the front contacted the side of the platform at a higher point, which increases the grip on the plastic side pieces.
We also added 3.25 traction wheels in between the standard VEX wheels. These additional wheels prevented the side bar from becoming stuck inside the chassis, which would prevent the robot from moving.
Intake
The intake on DUG has several key components, including the flaps, rubber links, back plate, non-slip sheet, and valves. These parts all work together to retrieve a ball and transport it to the flywheel to be expelled out.
The tread intake rotates, pulling the ball in and up. The flaps and rubber links in the treads increase grip on the ball, allowing it to be elevated efficiently.
The back plate is positioned to compress the ball with enough grip to prevent slipping but also allow upward movement of the ball. We included non-slip sheeting on the back plate to further grip the ball securely. The plate is also slightly curved to accomodate the curve of the tread and maintain the distance between the tread and the plate.
Finally, several other smaller pieces promote upward movement. Stand-offs on the side direct the ball upward and not to the side, while rubber band valves prevent unwanted backward direction.
Flywheel
Our flywheel was designed to shoot the balls precisely and accurately at the flags. Several main components ensure its efficiency, such as the curved plate, gear ratio, and upgraded wheel.
First, the curved plate at the rear of the flywheel mechanism supports the ball and guide its trajectory.
