Designing a first draft robot for High Stakes at the moment, and I can’t quite figure out a lift. Being able to attach a C-channel or other parts to a high strength chain would make the design so much simpler. I was wondering if anyone knew if this was possible because I can’t think of a way to do it.
Search got me to this page:
And the link takes me to “Super Flip” and in the last part of the instructions show how they connect the chain to the upper part of the structure.
As we all go through the season, search is your friend.
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From what I can tell the robot in the post you linked attached C-channels to the sprockets, but I was looking for a way to attach it to the chain itself so it could move between the sprockets.
Something like this:
However, it appears this is just screws wedged between tank treads and I was hoping for something a bit more secure.
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Here are the two main products designed to support bolted connections to chain systems:
The conveyor chain attaches to the side of the chain, and the normal attachment links connect in a way that lines up with your example image there.
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So where the screws go through the tread, fasten a length of 1x bar on the back side , that makes a clamp. Or you can just use the metal to clamp on both sides of the chain.
Just a “pre-failure” point, the chain is not that sturdy. It’s literally little plastic nubs that are snapped into tiny holes in little tiny plastic fingers. So even though the official name is “High Strength Chain” it’s because it’s long gone predecessor was much smaller and much weaker.
Standard strength chain is identical in shape but made of a softer material. It’s very slightly darker and less shiny, and you’d struggle to notice them accidentally clipped into high strength chain.
They are close, but not 100% the same.
Aha, I have learned a thing, thank you, and this might help some of the old guard trust low strength chain again. So I guess it’s rebranded and replaced as 6p, and that stuff is indeed obviously different. My experience of standard strength chain is from a few years ago when it was the same shape. Here’s a photograph I’ve taken just now of a length of high strength chain connected to a length of the old discontinued low strength chain:
From Paul McKnight in July of 2021 when I raised the confusion: “For the last few years the high strength versions have been gaining dominance for use in competition robots. In truth I suspect there would be limited use for the standard chain (to the point that it has been discontinued and is only available while stocks last) but it is legal for use. You should be able to return to Rapid if you will not use it though” By that point it had been partly used up and thrown away when discovered - I marked all the remaining links with sharpie on the other side … big reveal:
If you happen to have any lying around, the discontinued impostor can find its way into competition robots and ruin your day.
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This would probably be your safest bet. The High Strength Chain Attachment links have holes in them for screws, specifically designed to attach other pieces to. Ive used these before in multiple class competitions to decent success.
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