Tripod issues

I don't have an S6, but I have been using robots for 10 years. The best tripod I have ever used is the Crain Trimax. It is a fiberglass tripod, but i have not had any issues that you speak of, and I have used it on all types of surfaces.

Hope this helps

The first S6s we got were rec'd with the tall dutch hill fiberglass legs w/ plastic head plate. Better to set up high was the thought. We experienced the vibration phen. Next batch came with gst20 wild/ leica. They were better. Last batches came with trimax composite with metal head. No problems. Ditch the fiberglass.

I always used Geodimeter or Trimble Robots no vibration. I've had friends that liked topcon and Leica. Only thing I could suggest is extra stomp on the legs, and tighten them. Doubt that will help, your robot should run smoother.

What firmware version are you using? I believe at least one of the updates was supposed to help with vibration/shaking.

Yes, indeed. Crain Tri-Max is arguably the best tripod.

The Dutch Hills with the metal head plate are much more stable. My favorite tripod. I have not tried one, but have heard the Nedo's(is that the correct name) are good.

The Crain TriMax is a very good tripod. Also the CST/berger WDF-Max is a dual clamp composite tripod with a 6" round cast aluminum head that is very stable at a lower cost.

CST was having wood issues with the WDW20 all wood tripod and WDF wood/fiberglass tripod last year but those issues are now resolved. The WDW20 has wing screw clamps which I prefer as I believe them to be more stable than a quick clamp. The only quick clamps I use are those that are part of a dual clamp tripod that also has wing screws like the WDF-Max.

Deformation Analysis of Tripods under Static and Dynamic Loads

Some kind of resonant frequency problem?

We have an S8 and 4 5600 series robots. The 5600's are ok on fiberglass tripods but we use a heavy duty wood tripod with the S8.

I think it is.

I had the same problem back in the day with a Geodimeter 4400, had to use a Wild tripod back then as everything else would vibrate. I think it has more to do with weight than servos, went to a Leica and never had a problem again.

As a Crain, Seco, and CST/Berger dealer thats been selling these brands for 10 years now, I can say we havent seen a Crain Tri-Max be returned if that tells you anything. Also, if your tripod setup is on slick concrete or any material that you cant chunk the tripod feet down into, I recommend a tripod stabilizer

Make sure your tripod is tight. To check the tripod tightness, set the tripod up at full height. Lift each leg consecutively to a horizontal position and let it go. If the tripod foot hits the ground it is not tight enough. Tighten each leg sufficiently until the foot stops before it hits the ground when released from a horizontal position.

This will make your setups a little more difficult until you are used to working with a tripod that is “tight”.

Tripod Issues?

"Tripod on the rag"
To the tune of "Riders on the storm".

Tri a Crain Tri-Maxi-pad!

BINGO! No more "Tripod Issues!"

🙂

N

Doesn't matter what tripod......

you use on an S6, it will still happen. I've used an S6 and a Trimax for several years, but have had that happen several times when set up on concrete. Have stopped it by just draping a heavy log chain through the legs if that's the only place to set up (only thing I had in the truck).

If you are getting a tilt error at other times, the compensators are probably going out. Had that happen too.

Trimax is probably the best tripod. Mine is an older one and seems to be heavier than the newer ones I've seen.

Two sense from a sales prospective
The Tri-Max from Crain is the only tripod that is ISO certified for stability. The dowels of thee leg and the inner leg connect with a tong and grove cut like wood flooring. What this does is it creates more friction area and prevents slipping when the leg is locked or you are compressing the leg with only your hand. They also come with an adjustable retaining strap that attaches to the inside of the leg to prevent the legs from "walking" on you.
Dutch Hill makes a great tripod also however it was not designed with robots in mind.
If thee legs walk in towards each other the only option is a rigid tripod stabilizer like the one CST makes.

> Two sense from a sales prospective
> The Tri-Max from Crain is the only tripod that is ISO certified for stability. The dowels of thee leg and the inner leg connect with a tong and grove cut like wood flooring. What this does is it creates more friction area and prevents slipping when the leg is locked or you are compressing the leg with only your hand. They also come with an adjustable retaining strap that attaches to the inside of the leg to prevent the legs from "walking" on you.
> Dutch Hill makes a great tripod also however it was not designed with robots in mind.
> If thee legs walk in towards each other the only option is a rigid tripod stabilizer like the one CST makes.

The advertisement says the Trimax meets the ISO spec but the testing they did I saw only used the height distortion aspect and not the torsional rigidity aspect of the ISO spec. I have never seen them specify an outside testing agency certification of their tripod.

A couple of years ago Leica tested the Trimax versus their wood models and a fiberglass model from a company they called Nanjing Survey. All the tripods passed the load test (even aluminum) but only the wood models passed the twisting part. Probably why Crain doesn't show the result in their testing, granted the TriMax used looks like a quick clamp which I feel doesn't have the same stability as a wing screw.

http://www.fig.net/pub/fig2009/ppt/ts08c/ts08c_eichhorn_etal_ppt_3208.pdf