Brian M: Brian M: What drove (Get it!??) you guys to use 4 Minicim + 2 Redline drivetrain, seems like an unusual setup. Was 6 minicim not hip enough?

We had originally planned to do 6 miniCIMs. Our contingency plan for the season had always been go to 4 CIMs if we have a weight problem, but realizing we were so overweight so late made that an issue to get the electrical panel rework done in time. This fix is about the same weight as 4 CIMs (including the speed controllers). Total savings compared to 6 minis was 1.9 lbs. This was a bit of a risk, because we had done literally no testing of 775s in the drive. We figured the failure mode was a burned up 775 which means we’d be driving around with 4 miniCIMs - didn’t seem too bad. This drive has been rock solid and after finals at both Southfield and Milford our 775s were cold. This game doesn’t seem too tough on drivetrains yet but based on our results so far I would run this again next year.

We also originally planned a faster elevator (2 motors with less reduction) and faster lift (which we did end up with at Milford, but not for Southfield), but weight concerns didn’t allow for it.

Other cool stuff:

Round tube elevator - 1.5 x .063" round tube is ~21% lighter than equivalent 2 x 1 x .063" Spectra cord used for the elevator is super light. Pulleys are made of delrin on comp bot, but practice bot ones are 3D printed and holding up just fine.

0.63" 5052 aluminum sheet metal chassis - includes a tunnel (really meant for ground clearance) which allows us to use a .063" lexan belly pan that is stiffened by the bends.

3D printed pulleys and belted reduction in the intake were used avoid another versaplanetary.

Reason we were saving all that weight:

Our ramp weighs 14 lbs (not including the winch that lifts it) and is 46.5" wide x 37.5" long