Explanation:

The drill elevator provides vertical actuation for the drill system, allowing it to lower 10 cm into the ground, extract soil, and retract for storage and transfer, supporting subsystems developed by other team members. I designed a two-stage linear lift with a guided carriage, constructed from 6061 aluminum 1" × 1/2" tube stock (1/16" wall) to minimize weight while maintaining stiffness.

Motion is constrained using custom ABS bearing blocks with integrated 8 mm bearings, which guide the tubes and prevent lateral motion while structurally tying the frame together. The first stage is driven by a chain and sprocket system powered by a CM-AKE60 motor, while the second carriage stage is driven via a low-creep cable linkage, allowing compact extension with fewer moving drive components.

The selected motor and sprocket ratio produce ~400 N (91 lb) of linear force, sufficient to drive the drill into compact soil. The full system weighs 6 lb, replacing a prior 10 lb design, and also serves as a structural rear mast, enabling mounting of additional systems such as antennas and sensors. The elevator mounts behind the rover, keeping the drill clear of the arm workspace and other payload systems while maintaining accessibility and structural integration.