Wheels - Plywood [Archive]

Denman

03-02-2004, 11:30

What are the standings on plywood wheels???
The problem is that we do not know american regulations and stuff over here and they have to be certified or something.
Please help us !!!!

RogerR

03-02-2004, 13:53

<R13> Robot wheels, tracks, and other parts intended to provide traction on the playing field ("traction devices") may be purchased or fabricated. In no case, will traction devices that damage the carpet or other playing surfaces be permitted. Traction devices may not have surface features such as metal, sandpaper, or hard plastic studs, cleats, or other attachments. Anchors, i.e. devices that are deployed/used to keep one’s robot in one place and prevent if from being moved by another robot, cannot use metal in contact with the carpet or other playing surfaces to "stay put." Gaining traction by using adhesives or Velcro-like fastener material is not allowed.

i don't see anything in the rules that outlaws wooden wheels, but you might want to put some sort of soft "tire" around the outside of the wheel just to be on the safe side.

Mr. Van

03-02-2004, 14:13

There are no restrictions on what you make your wheels out of as long as they do not violate any other rule. The primary concern is not to damage the carpet.

-Mr. Van
Coach, Team 599
Granada Hills Charter High School

Arefin Bari

03-02-2004, 20:08

edomus

03-02-2004, 20:55

What if metal touches the side of the 6 inch platform. Is that legal?

Kevin Sevcik

03-02-2004, 21:20

As a followup to Raul's comment, make sure they're study no matter if another robot can hit them or not. If a robot hits the side of your robot and your wheels are grippy and don't slip sideways, it'll still be damaging. And keep in mind that your robot is going to have to run your robot through atleast 6 rounds at a regional, possibly more. Design for the duration, or make a lot of spare wheels.

Denman

04-02-2004, 03:53

Its not so much the problem of sturdiness , its just that there are many regulations in america about wood and stuff and we have to spend a ton of money to get a new crate built for our robot and then more money to get a certificate for it. We have used ply wood wheels in the past with good success, as we have a way of moulding rubber to it (dont ask me, all i know is that we can)

Denman

04-02-2004, 03:55

one input... if you make the wheels out of plywood make sure that its not easy for some other bot to hit your wheels easily...

::i dont think that a plywood wheel will survive when a really fast robot which is going about 12 ft. per sec. hits it::

edit- there are ways that you can make a good plywood wheels... so just make sure that you build it the right way...
You evidently didn't see last years wheels , they are about 2 inch thick and covered in rubber, they have tremendous amounts of grip :p
tbh last years robot would work pretty well for this year , as it is a box stacker which worked well , i am sure i can dig some photos up sometime

Al Skierkiewicz

04-02-2004, 08:22

Denman,
Plywood is fine for wheels, you obviously have overcome the the problems usually associated with these wheels and that is keeping them round and mounted securely. (You can't drive straight if your wheels keep leaving the ground.) Can't wait to see your robot. If you need any help at a competition we are in, just ask.

Clark Gilbert

04-02-2004, 08:32

i am sure i can dig some photos up sometime
http://www.firstrobotics.net/03gallery/images/0759-1_jpg.jpg

KenWittlief

04-02-2004, 08:38

It sounds like Denman is asking what restrictions there are on bringing plywood products through customs into the United States

apparently there are restrictions on wood products - maybe due to some type of tree fungus? I dont know what they are - but I think this is what he is concerned about

if they make plywood wheels, will US custom agents let them into the country? That is the question.