Ball Intake Kit: REV Flap Wheel Style (BIOBUZZ)
A full-width roller intake for 71mm-91mm wiffle balls, sized for BIOBUZZ Pollen & Nectar.
5-10 REV DUO Flap Wheels ride a REV 5mm hex shaft, clocked in a stagger so the flaps sweep in one after another instead of all at once. The shaft spins in 8mm flanged bearings, held by my printed 15x15 bearing plates and 8mm to 5mm hex adapters on two 15x15 extrusion uprights.
A REV HD Hex Motor with UltraPlanetary gearbox drives the roller through goBILDA 8mm pitch plastic chain and 10 tooth REX sprockets. A goBILDA quad block mount and REX output shaft carry the motor end. On the roller end, my printed 7mm to 5mm hex reducer puts the REX sprocket on the 5mm hex shaft.
Flap wheels let the ball slip a little where compliant wheels grab hard. Want more grab? Check out the AndyMark Compliant Star version of this intake.
The kit also includes my parallel plate mecanum drivetrain.
Built this for FTC's BIOBUZZ 26-27 season, but any robot that picks up 70mm-91mm class balls can use it: wiffle balls, practice balls, ball pit balls.
Package includes STEP file.
Accessing STEP Files
STEP files are uploaded in a .zip folder. You must first unzip the folder in order to import the file into your CAD program of choice.
Autodesk Fusion 360
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After unzipping the downloaded folder, open Fusion 360.
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Click the "Show Data Panel" icon in the upper-left corner (it looks like a grid/waffle).
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Navigate to your desired project and folder.
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Click the "Upload" button.
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Select the .step or .stp file from your computer and click "Open."
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Once the upload is complete, the file will appear in your Data Panel, ready to be inserted into your design.
Onshape
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After unzipping the downloaded folder, log in to your Onshape account.
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From the "Documents" page, click the "Create" button and select "Import files...".
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Alternatively, inside an existing document, click the "+" icon in the bottom-left corner and select "Import."
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Select the .step or .stp file from your computer.
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Choose your desired import options in the dialog box.
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The imported file will appear as a new tab in your document.
SolidWorks
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After unzipping the downloaded folder, open SolidWorks.
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Go to "File" > "Open."
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In the "Open" dialog box, change the file type to "STEP files (*.step, *.stp)."
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Navigate to and select the STEP file you wish to import.
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Click "Open."
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SolidWorks may prompt you to run "Import Diagnostics" to check for and fix any potential issues with the imported geometry. It is recommended to do so.
3D Printing Tips
If the design includes 3D printed parts, I highly recommend you print the part out of PCTG. It has some of the highest impact resistance and non-catastrophic breaking for robot parts.
For Mechanical/structural parts, I recommend:
- 0.6mm Nozzles over 0.4mm. Wider nozzles produce stronger prints in shorter periods of time over thinner nozzles.
- Minimum 4 walls.
- 30-40% gyroid infill
