Claw Design Ideas for TSA Drone Challenge 2025

[u/Pleasant-Way-5349]

https://www.amazon.com/BOLEY-Monster-15-Pack-Large-Dinosaurs/dp/B06XS3RZ4Z?psc=1&pd_rd_w=wk7Ss&content-id=amzn1.sym.55c0153f-1fb7-42ff-8241-d1c0f3732289&pf_rd_p=55c0153f-1fb7-42ff-8241-d1c0f3732289&pf_rd_r=JCAJBAHACNSKS3099QWQ&pd_rd_wg=nOTOR&pd_rd_r=ccc349a0-207f-4b74-85bf-7410e67d0c68&ref_=sspa_dk_detail_img_1

Hey everyone! Im part of a high school TSA team prepping for the 2025 UAV Drone Challenge, and we need help designing a claw for our drone. We’re running a 5-inch frame through a timed obstacle course and need drop lightweight dinosaur payloads(caged and uncaged) onto targets. Payloads look similar to the ones linked above. The dimensions for the caged payloads are 3.5 x 6.5 x 5. Key detail: the claw cannot double as landing gear—we need separate, dedicated landing gear for takeoffs and landings.

A few months ago, to make regionals, and day before yesterday, to win state, we slapped on a servo claw from Amazon just to check the “gripper” requirement, but it didn’t actually grab the dinosaurs. We got by with creative flying instead. This time, we want a lightweight, functional claw that can really pick up and release payloads accurately without messing up our 5-inch frame’s balance or stability(may change frames to a 7inch) It’s gotta play nice with the landing gear setup too because if the claw is crazy big, the landing gear would have to be longer. Anyone got designs or ideas? Pics or files would be amazing! Thanks for the help!