The original two BottleBots were constructed in the summer of 2005 for a feature in a magazine article on VEX. The challenge then was simple: "design a robot which can grab a beverage off a table, open it, and pour it into a cup." The BottleBots would become two of the most popular robots to come out of the VEX Lab.
Three years later, the challenge remained the same. This time it was Robot Magazine who asked the IFI engineers to improve upon their previous creation and come up with a better BottleBot.
The new IFI intern Tyler Holtzman would use the lessons learned from the original build to design and construct the BottleBot3. This robot included several of the best features from each of the previous BottleBots while incorporating several ways to improve its function. It would be featured in the November/December 2008 issue of Robot Magazine.
BottleBot 3 Specifications
Tank Tread Drive with High Traction Links
Powered by (2) VEX Continuous Rotation Motor
4-Bar Linkage Arm
Powered by (1) VEX Continuous Rotation Motor
2 stage reduction
First stage (10:40)
Second stage (12:84)
Smooth Pouring Motion
Suds Reduction Technology
Heavy Lifting Capacity
Positional Sensor Feedback (VEX Potentiometer)
Closed Loop Control
2 Stage Elastic Counter Balance
Eliminates backlash in linkage (both directions)
Single Sided Roller Claw
Powered by (1) VEX Continuous Rotation Motor geared down (36:60)
2 Rollers on one side
Rigid "track" on opposite side, lined with VEX Foam
Commercial Automatic Bottle Opener
Powered by (2) VEX Continuous Rotation Motors
Opened rides on VEX Linear Slides
Opener extends around cup during pour
Motorized Cup Arm
Driven by a Linear Extension Mechanism utilizing VEX Linear Slides
Positional Sensor Feedback (VEX Potentiometer)
Closed Loop Control
Improved Autonomous Pour
Sensors monitor Linkage and Cup arm position
Micro-processor co-ordinates position during pour
Elastic balancers used to eliminate "bottle slosh"
