Cap Manipulation

[Mark_Finley]

@JamsG

the problem with slotting those c-channel onto the cap’s edges like that is trying to pick up caps that are slanted on the ground. if a cap was in a corner and slanted, i think it would be pretty difficult to move the caps out

true

[Xenon]

I think the caps automatically balance on the core, if not touching the wall, or a ball or something.

[JamsG]

@To_Bi_As

I think the caps automatically balance on the core, if not touching the wall, or a ball or something.

if so @Mark Finley 's idea with two c-channels should work out pretty well most of the time

[Impulse_Theory]

Only one problem with the C Channel Idea: The c channel’s outside width is 1 inch, so the gap on the inside is 1/8 inch or so less than that. The lip on the caps is 1 inch. I think you would have to shove it inside the c channel with your hand to get it to fit like shown in the picture.
I was personally thinking of a double fork that holds both sides of the cap, Like this:https://i.imgur.com/lgYEyqG.png
The gap is 9 units wide and 3 units tall for the core and disc to fit inside.

An even better design might just be that c channel idea, but instead of the c channel cavity holding the disc of the cap, you’d mount 5 wide plates on the top and bottom with spacers so you can get the needed clearance for the thickness of the disc. It has the tradeoff of being wider, though. (If that is going to be a problem, I don’t know.)

[Mark_Finley]

@Impulse Theory

Only one problem with the C Channel Idea: The c channel’s outside width is 1 inch, so the gap on the inside is 1/8 inch or so less than that. The lip on the caps is 1 inch. I think you would have to shove it inside the c channel with your hand to get it to fit like shown in the picture.
I was personally thinking of a double fork that holds both sides of the cap, Like this:https://i.imgur.com/lgYEyqG.png
The gap is 9 units wide and 3 units tall for the core and disc to fit inside.

An even better design might just be that c channel idea, but instead of the c channel cavity holding the disc of the cap, you’d mount 5 wide plates on the top and bottom with spacers so you can get the needed clearance for the thickness of the disc.

That or you use the wider c channels, but I do rather like yours especially since it doesn’t require access to the side of the cap (i.e. if it were wedged in a corner).

[Impulse_Theory]

@Mark Finley

That or you use the wider c channels, but I do rather like yours especially since it doesn’t require access to the side of the cap (i.e. if it were wedged in a corner).

Ahh, that’s a good point.

@JairMeza20

For early season, a simple fork can work well. The fork could be made of axels or standoffs and can be used to pick up, place down, and even flip over.

I didn’t think of axles as an option! That’s a cool idea: they’d be lighter and give you more wiggle room for the same spacing as far as mounting goes. A beefier design might call for something else, but I like that idea.

[Mark_Finley]

@Impulse Theory

Ahh, that’s a good point.

I didn’t think of axles as an option! That’s a cool idea: they’d be lighter and give you more wiggle room for the same spacing as far as mounting goes. A beefier design might call for something else, but I like that idea.

I think I will try to build what @Impulse Theory showed, and use standoffs instead of c channels or axels. I would worry that I would bend the axels and then they wouldn’t be good for other stuff, but axels are a cool idea.

I think if you were to combine a smaller version of this (https://youtu.be/Yta_Nk7crSI) cascade lift by 99371A with the claw idea we have on top of it then it would be pretty cool. You could also gear the top level of the lift in such a way the it would flip the cap claw behind you and stack it on a post. Then you would not need the motor to flip the cap over because the lift would do it for you.