pic: Chassis Concept

[GDG 2337]

[cdm-description=photo]40810[/cdm-description]

[cbale2000]

Are the outer wheels powered? If so, by what?

Very clever gearbox integration into the drive base, certainly a space saver.

[AlecMataloni]

You're losing strength in your chassis when you split that top flange on the inside into two separate flanges to make room for that motor. I'd flip the inner flanges in the opposite direction and raise the height of the inner drive plates if possible to make a continuous S bend instead of a C.

[GDG 2337]

Front and rear wheels are chain driven. Just not shown.

Inner rail design is the same as AM14U am-2567 inside KoP chassis plate.

[nuclearnerd]

I like it! Rigid, cheap, low COG, and it fixes one of the biggest problems of the otherwise-awesome AM14U - the outer plates are fixed directly to the front and back plates. How are you joining the inner plates to the front and back?

[GDG 2337]

A 3" 1/4-20 from outside rail through 2.125 side rail connector into front rail (same as this years chassis). Bumper mount rail is offset and pocketed to clear socket head. No exposed fasters

[nuclearnerd]

A 3" 1/4-20 from outside rail through 2.125 side rail connector into front rail (same as this years chassis). Bumper mount rail is offset and pocketed to clear socket head. No exposed fasters

OK, if I'm understanding correctly, the front and back rails are split into 3 pieces with the 1/4-20 bolts passing through the outer rail, spacer and inner rail before anchoring in the front/back rail. I'm guessing the spacers are made from front-rail pieces, with the holes drilled out.

It would be stronger if the front and back rails were one piece. I've often thought AndyMark should have made the front/back rails screw into the side rails, and not vice-versa. Nevertheless, your design will work fine I think, and I like that most of it is COTS parts, which will reduce cost, schedule and design risks. Good luck!

[Bryce Paputa]

What do the green pneumatic cylinders do? Lift it on ball casters?

[nuclearnerd]

You should also think about how the belly pan connects to the side rails. It would be strongest if it could cross brace both the inner and outer side rails to the front and back, but that will make it a little harder to service. Another option is to add more of your spacers between the inner and outer side-plates (like the original AM14U churros, but with more vertical strength)

[GDG 2337]

As with many concepts posted on CD, not all of details are shown like reinforcement plates for the corners, spacers between the rails, the belly pan attachment scheme, adjustable rocker design for end wheels, axle attachment system to rails, all of which are carry over from our 2014 chassis.

Bimba FS-090.75-CFT cylinder paired with ball caster

http://www.essentracomponents.com/sku/ACC-1072

[Oblarg]

I like this a lot. Very clever gearboxes - do they use only bearing holes that are already present, or do have to do some machining yourself? If the latter, is there any reason for using the AM14U plates instead of designing it from scratch?

Edit: After writing this post I noticed the shifter cylinders - it's kinda hard to see the gearboxes in this pic. Could you show us some pics from other angles for a better look?

[AlecMataloni]

Front and rear wheels are chain driven. Just not shown.

Inner rail design is the same as AM14U am-2567 inside KoP chassis plate.
Okay, that makes sense then. Sorry, I didn't notice that at first.

[RonnieS]

Always love the gear box integration with the frame rails. I would highly recommend looking into 2337's CAD as they have been doing this for a couple years; although they have not yet used ball casters....hint hint clint ;)