Term - Object Manipulator
From VEX Wiki
When designing a robot to manipulate an object, it is important to keep the object in mind and size the robot accordingly. Choose the appropriate gripper type or combine some of the types to create an effective geometry. Try to design it so that the motor does not need to be stalled when the gripper is holding the object. It is also important to think of how the gripper will pick up and deposit the object. Consider the following questions:
- What orientation will the object be in when it is picked up?
- Does the gripper need to be able to grab the object from multiple orientations?
- How will the gripper deposit the object?
- Does it need to deposit the object in multiple orientations?
- What orientation change does the object need to make between pickup and deposit?
The best object manipulators maintain a firm grip on an object. They are able to quickly and efficiently complete their tasks with minimum wasted motion. Effective designs focus on speed and efficiency and, if possible, will not require precise positioning.
