Project: Build a robot
Product used: Energy Chain, igubal, DryLin S

For the sixth year in a row, the Woodlands Homeschoolers from Texas competed in the BEST™ (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology) Robotics Competition. The students had six weeks to design and build a robot for this year’s game, Laundry Quandary. To score points, the robot had to hang and remove “wet” and “dry” laundry from a line within a time limit.

The 2006 Woodlands team, also known as Venture Crew 8, built a robot equipped with a top rack/transfer device, an actuating mast and a mobile base. Donated Energy Chain® cable carrier enabled the mast to move up and down, while igubal® spherical bearings and DryLin S aluminum shafting was used on all the robot’s moving parts and on the idler caster.

Venture Crew 8 was excited to igus products because they are maintenance-free and provided more precision and eliminated friction, unlike other options. The team placed 4th at its local competition and took home 1st place for the BEST award. Because of their excellent placement at locals, the Woodlands students also advanced to regionals where they placed 9th for the BEST award. To learn more about the team and see live video of its robot, visit www.thewoodlandshomeschoolers.org.