Claws are usually attached to an end of an arm and are used for grasping an object. Motors are used to activate the claws. Motors are commonly used with a gear ratio or sprocket/chain system.
Single-sided and double-sided claws may use an increase torque gear ratio and roller claws may use an increase speed gear ratio. Claws can be assembled using a variety of Beams, Gears, and the Other Products from the VEX IQ System. Rubber bands, Intake Flaps, and/or Traction Links can be used to increase the grip on claws.
If time is available, several prototypes of claws should be developed during the design stage to assess which will be most effective for manipulating game pieces. Sometimes a simple claw design can be the most competitive.
Some common types of claws are explained in this article. Please note that 3D build examples of these common types types of claws are included. The models can be manipulated, turned, and zoomed in and out in order to see multiple viewpoints.
Single-sided Claw
Single-sided claw or sometimes called a clamping claw is typically assembled with a fixed beam and a second beam attached to a motor/gear system.
- The side of the claw activated by the motor opens, and closes, clamping the game piece against the fixed beam.
To understand how the Single-sided Claw functions and how it is built, please refer to the resources below. The Animation provides a demonstration of its working, while the 3D Build offers a detailed look at its construction.
Double-sided Claw
Double-sided claw (as seen on the Clawbot) will activate both sides of the claw.
- Custom assembled double-sided claws typically have an even number of gears setup to move the two sides of the claw.
- One side of the claw will be attached to the first gear in the assembly and the second side of the claw will be attached to the last gear in the assembly, allowing the claw to open and close as the gears are rotated.
To understand how the Double-sided Claw functions and how it is built, please refer to the resources below. The Animation provides a demonstration of its working, while the 3D Build offers a detailed look at its construction.
This Double Sided Claw build uses traction links, which form the grippers on the Claw.
This version of the Double Sided Claw uses angle beams instead of traction links to form the grippers on the Claw.
This more complex Double Sided Claw includes corner connectors connected to beams to form the grippers and slotted beams combined with angle beams form the gripper behind the claw.
Roller Claws
Roller claws are typically assembled using Wheels, Intake Belts, or Tank Treads. Roller claws function by spinning their rollers and having game pieces pulled into the claw. Then the rollers can be reversed, pushing them out.
- Roller claws can be assembled with one side of the claw having a fixed beam serving as a friction plate. The other side will have an active roller to roll the game piece in, along the fixed side.
- A roller claw can also be assembled with a roller on both sides of the claw.
- Typically roller claws are designed to spin faster than the robot can move forward.
- Roller claws allow game pieces to be picked up with less time aligning the robot, however, they require more time and planning to assemble.
To understand how the Roller Claw functions and how it is built, please refer to the resources below. The Animation provides a demonstration of its working, while the 3D Build offers a detailed look at its construction.