adept technology Lynx Platform, User Manual, Page: 43 / 126

Adept Lynx Platform User's Guide, Rev D
Page 43 of 126
Chapter 4: Payload Structures
Everything that you attach to the Lynx platform is referred to as the payload structure.
In some custom cases, Adept designs and builds the payload structure. In most cases, you will
need to design a payload structure that suits your application. This chapter discusses con-
siderations to be aware of when you design a payload structure for your Lynx platform.
The Lynx platform provides the mobility and navigation you will need, as well as power and
I/O connections between the platform and your payload structure, so the two can work effect-
ively together.
4.1 Considerations
The main factors to consider in designing a payload structure are the size, weight, and center
of gravity of the payload structure, and power requirements. Adding weight to the Lynx plat-
form tends to have less effect on run-time than adding electrical power requirements. Addi-
tional weight will have more effect on carpet than on hard surfaces.
Weight
Increased payload structure weight will decrease your AIV's run-time. This will be most notice-
able if you are driving the AIV up an incline. On level ground, a certain amount of extra
weight will not shorten the AIV's run-time very much. When adding a payload structure with
substantial weight, the center of gravity of the entire AIV needs to be considered. This is par-
ticularly important if you intend to equip the Lynx platform with a robot arm, which would be
lifting items off-center from the Lynx platform.
A heavy payload structure, with most of its weight concentrated just above the Lynx platform,
will be much more stable than the same weight payload structure in which the weight is either
off-center or high above the top of the platform.
NOTE : The weight of your payload structure added to the weight of the parts it is
carrying must not exceed the rated capacity of your platform.
Power Consumption
Using devices on your payload structure that consume significant power will noticeably
shorten the run-time of the AIV. You should try to minimize such power consumption
whenever possible.
Examples of power-consuming payload structures would be one with a robot arm attached, or
any motorized fixture, such as a conveyor, as part of the payload structure. The standard Oper-
ator screen and light discs consume some power, but are not significant compared to the rest
of the platform.
The battery is rated at 1500 W*hr (1.5 kWh). Unloaded, the platform uses from 80 - 107 W.
With a full load, this increases to 94 - 125 W. (The range for each reflects the speed at which
the platform is driven.) You can use the wattage of any accessories you add to your payload
structure, added to these typical values, to calculate the expected run-time per charge.