Lifting Mechanisms & Arms

There's numerous solutions to lifting game pieces for pick and place games, the following is a presentation on the most common methods

Mechanisms (Team 5256).pdf

COTS Options

There are quite a few consumer off the shelf options for lifting mechanisms, here are some of the most common.

Andymark Climber in a box

This is a telescoping mechanism that is a kit for assembly, the team used this in 2023 for their telescoping arm. We did have to do a lot of problem solving and modifications to make this arm work for horizontal loads because it's designed for vertical movement. Climber in a Box

ThriftyBot Telescoping Tube

This is a kit similar to the andymark kit but it consist of a lot of 3D printed parts. Thrifty Telescoping Tube

Thrifty Elevator Stage KitAll pre-orders have shipped, elevators shipping now! Looking for individual kits? Find those here. Thrifty Elevator is designed to work with the various brands of 2 in. x 1 in. aluminum box extrusion of any wall thickness on the market. Your team can work with what they like – REV MAXTube, VEX VersaFrame, or simply plain 2" x 1" from your aluminum metal supplier of choice. You bring the 2" x 1" tubing, hex shaft, structural fasteners and gearboxes and we’ll provide the rest. Features include: Single piece aluminum bearing blocks made from 1/4" thick aluminum. These allow for 1/2 inch horizontal spacing between stages and no vertical travel lost due to bearing block geometry. Solid steel chain attachment stud block allows for easy installation of 25H chain. Integrated support for constant force springs that help offset the weight of your sliding stages. Easy CAM tensioning system allows for quick dyneema cable tensioning as needed. 2.5mm thick elevator gussets sized for #10 hardware Single Stage Kit Includes: QTY 1 - Sliding Elevator Bearing Block Kit QTY 1 - Elevator #25 Chain Drive Kit QTY 1 - Constant Force Spring Kit QTY 1 - Elevator Gusset Kit 2 Stage Kit Includes: QTY 2 - Sliding Elevator Bearing Block Kit QTY 1 - Elevator #25 Chain Drive Kit QTY 2 - Elevator Dyneema Pulley Kit QTY 1 - Constant Force Spring Kit QTY 1 - Elevator Gusset Kit Order Individual Kits Here - https://www.thethriftybot.com/bearings/Thrifty-Ele... Assembly Guide and STEP CAD Files Available OnShape CAD Link

ThriftyBot Thrifty Elevator

This is a kit made by thriftybot for an elevator mechanism that can be rigged to be continuous or cascading