Locking devices

hello all,
my robot has a linear actuator for a lifting arm and im trying to make sure everythings passable for the techcheck and ive had a look at the techcheck sheet and it says...

Moving weapon parts must be locked in a safe position using
bars, straps or chains. The weapon should be immobile when
the locking device is in place.

the thing is without power from the link being in, the actuator isnt going to go anywhere, woody recons i dont need a locking device but i want to be a trillion percent sure to be on the safe side.

thanks calum

you just need to cover any sharp edges of the weapon. my heavyweight was hydralic and i never needed any locking device.

Youll need a locking device.

Latest meeting of the FRA techcheckers it was agreed that locking pins and cradles would get a bit more attention, just because it was ignored in the past.

http://gametechmods.com/uploads/images/83866Safety%20covers.JPGhttp://gametechmods.com/uploads/images/83866Safety covers.JPG
Heres an idea of what you can do (Image by me!)
The spikes are covered up by the faom tubes, as the other one is a bar screwed over the lifter, but if your robot isnt like these lifters, no spikes or like that, then it should be ok.

thats great thanks,
but my lifter has to be locked open so the robot can be fastened to the carry frame but, ie if the lifter is down it covers up a bolt used to secure the robot to the carry frame so i cannot get to it. but ive got an idea :) thanks for the help.

one more thing, is it a must have to have micro switches to cut out the power to the actuator at its max and min lenght of travel?? woody says its best to but i cant fit in one for the max travel as its impossible.

im off to do some welding and to make a bar to keep the lifter open,as the day of the event gets closer more works needs doing lol

thanks calum

Hey Calum

You dont necessarily have to have your robot fastened to its carry cradle (unless there has been a new rule implemented? Can someone enlighten me if there has)
As long as the cradle supports the robot with its wheels not touching the ground or pit bench then you should be fine without fixing them to each other.

Having microswitches to limit the travel would be best but if its impossible to mount one at the max travel you could maybe attach (or paint etc) a visual reference on your robot somewhere that you can use as a guide for when the actuator is nearing the end of its travel, so that you can cut the power to it before it exceeds it travel.

What type of actuator is it youre using?
And do you have any pictures of your robot at all?

Jamie

(Message edited by K_C_R on October 19, 2008)

Jamie you are right it doesnt have to be secured to the cradle in the pits, but it is a good idea for transporting it.

Mind, U, Im in the same sort of situation as Calum, Ive managed to make a cradle for Pug after Ed told me needed one when I went to Huddersfield, but Pugs lifter is powered by a spinning thread/screw so Im finding it a bit difficult to know what my weapon restraint should look like to stop it jamming on my fingers. If anyone knows what my locking device could look like and what part of my lifter it should go on, tell me plz. And also, pictures of Ideas are welcome

hi ,
ill sort a pic of the robot later when its all back together as ive taken everything out of the chassis to beef up some welds and to sort out this locking bar do dar,

ill put a pic as my profile pic later,

as for the type of actuator im unsure it says linak on it? any help? woody found it on ebay for me:)

thanks for the help
calum

To make u guys give me advice more easier, here are some photos of my robot http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk1/LiamBryant_photos/My%20Robots/Pug/http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/k...%20Robots/Pug/