06-08-2012 03:49 PM

josesantos

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

In your experience, how well have 3D-printed wheels worked under stress? Have they ever broken in the middle of a match or anything like that?

06-08-2012 03:53 PM

Metalcrafters

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

This chassis had no issues at all, our 2012 chassis we cracked a few wheels when we hit the bump so we redesigned the wheel for the champs and they work like a charm. Even handled jumping off one of the bridges.

06-08-2012 03:58 PM

CalTran

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

Did you just glue the tread to the wheel? From the picture, I can't see any other fasteners. Also, what's the life time on a printed wheel?

06-08-2012 04:03 PM

Metalcrafters

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

We designed three bosses into the wheel that was tapped for 10-24 button heads.

The wheels you are looking at have survived our 2011 season which was short and general practice driving even since. No cracks.

Our 2012 Champ version wheels have dings and gouges with not signs of damage.

06-08-2012 04:04 PM

R.C.

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

What diameter wheel and how much did it end up weighing?

-RC

06-08-2012 04:10 PM

Metalcrafters

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

This set was 5" @ 6 ounces a piece.

06-08-2012 04:15 PM

MattC9

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

What type of plastic is that and what type of 3d printer do yall have?

06-08-2012 04:19 PM

Metalcrafters

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

Sorry should have said this prior

We have a Uprint from Dimension that prints with ABS.

06-08-2012 04:27 PM

CalTran

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

So I take it they stand up to sideways stress, ie getting t-boned? Were you able to easily cross the barrier multiple times? What about pushing matches?

06-08-2012 04:35 PM

Metalcrafters

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

Side loading and pushing had no effect.

Impact loads from hitting the bump across the open span of the spokes it what caused cracking. Just redesigned and never had an issue. We we able to hit the bump at full speed and pop right over it.

06-08-2012 06:47 PM

Akash Rastogi

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

Edited.

06-08-2012 11:03 PM

AdamHeard

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

You guys have been building great 'bots for years in my opinion, was totally stoked to see you guys on Einstein.

You guys were also a $@#$@#$@#$@# steal of a 3rd with this bot at LA that year.

06-10-2012 10:55 AM

slijin

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

Do you have pictures of this design?

Pretty amazing to think that you didn't crack a wheel driving off that bridge.

06-11-2012 10:38 AM

Botwoon

Re: pic: 207 2011 Chassis

Here's the link to the wheels. Our original wheels for this season were structurally very similar to the ones we used last year, the one you see mounted to the robot in this pic. I'll drop in another interesting shot as well.



That CRio placement was a little precarious, but it worked out.

Thanks Adam! That was my first year driving personally, and a lot of the things we learned that year got us as far as we did this year. I'll be entering your world as a mentor this year, and I know I've got plenty to learn from you.