RASSOR - Contra-rotating, single arm configuration.

grabcad

This is my first revised entry for the RASSOR challenge. The design features two sets of contra-rotating drums equipped with single helical shaped scoops. The symmetrical configuration ensures that reaction forces between the ground and scoops perfectly cancel each other out, allowing for the use of only one arm instead of two. This enables a more conventional excavation process, resulting in one excavation front and a clean flat area behind it where RASSOR operates. To compensate for the reduced volume, bigger drums may be used. No internal baffles are included; instead, a single long helical shaped scoop per drum is installed to minimize backflow during loading. The total weight of two drums and all auxiliaries is less than 4 kg. Key statistics: Total mass (2 drums + auxiliaries).......< 4 kg Maximum diameter............................450 mm Maximum length...................................340 mm (170 mm x2) Maximum volume of regolith captured......32 (16x2) liters per pair of drums (theoretical, TBC experimentally) CONSTRUCTION: Most structures are made from 2 mm carbon fiber; scoops edges are constructed from aluminum. A simple mechanism to invert the rotation of adjacent drums can be examined in provided drawings. Steel springs mounted at semi-axle ends pack the assembly and preload the rotation inversion device. All sliding surfaces and wear-prone areas are coated with a water-based anti-friction coating. OPERATION: Regolite is loaded into drums by applying torque to L1 and R1 drums, which transmit opposite torques to L2 and R2 through relative rotation inversion mechanisms. During transport, drums must be positioned so scoops face upward to prevent content spilling. Unloading works similarly but with inverted torques. Please review the video, STEP model, and printable pdf provided.