2013 KB on steriods
 

So I think I have convienced my team that we need to go with the Kitbot on steriods. From what I have seen/heard this years kit bot will have belts instead of chain drive. I have no experience with belt drive and was wondering how this will change the setup of the KB on steriods. Does anyone have any suggestions to help us with this. Any help will be appreciated.

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

"If your team decides to receive the 2013 KOP Drive System, you will receive an AndyMark C-Base chassis system similar to the last few years. It will again be a six wheel drive robot, with similar wheels to 2012, and with enough material to drive all six wheels. The 2013 gearbox is a ToughBox Mini with 10.71:1 reduction. The estimated final drive speed is about 10 feet per second."

The Toughbox Mini also accepts 2 CIMs so if you elect to drive each side 2 CIMS it will be very similar to the kitbot on steroids from previous years, just theoretically more efficient and lighter.

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

You can continue to use chain if you are more comfortable with it, sprockets are still on sale on Andymark and IFI (Vex Pro) so you can order your desired wheel and output sprockets once you've chosen your final gear ratio. The kit sprockets were geared too fast last year (i believe it was 26 tooth), we ended up purchasing 30 tooth ones for our 2012 competition robot.

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

This year's KitBot doesn't need much to become a kitbot on steroids, right? I think all it needs is an upgrade to 4 CIM motors and a sheet of plywood to stiffen it up. I guess some people will want plaction wheels over FIRST wheels, but I like the HiGrip FIRST wheels.

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

EDIT: FOund the link to the information you are referencing above.


How do you know for sure that the KOP will be the same as last year in regards to the 2013 KOP Drive System?

Was this published already?

Thanks,

Norman

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

The main advantage of the KBoS in my mind are the AM shifters and the extra strength from the plywood. The main unknown at this point, which could determine the possibility of running a KBoS system, is the bore of the new pulleys. The output shaft on the AM shifter is 1/2" keyed, and as much as I hope that the new pulleys will be hex, this would prevent them from going in a AM shifter. I guess we'll all find out when the Kit Bot is released tomorrow.

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

I think the regular kitbot isn't 6wd, but that could change this year

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

Our "plan" for this season is going to be a play on the "KOP on Steroids".
Again, this will all depend on the game and our strategy, but for now, this is our plan.
Depending apon what the KOP actually contains.....
We plan on using the majority of the drive componants from the KOP, but substituting a VexPro Ball shifter with 2 CIMs per side in place of the ToughBox Mini. We will also, if possible, replicate the dimentions of the KOP drive, but build them into our own custome frame. We may even do a riff on WCD style if possible. At this point though, it will all depend on the game and what the KOP actually contains. One thing is certain though, we will be using belt drive.

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

I'm pretty sure the KBoS uses the kit CIMple Boxes, and where did you hear about the Kitbot being released tomorrow?

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

I think they switched to Nano Toughboxes this year.

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

Where you'd expect, actually. "AndyMark Drive Base Kit...Checklist (coming 1/2/13)" [so actually today, now]. Rather odd, but there. Let's see if it happens.

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

The 2013 gearbox is a ToughBox Mini with 10.71:1 reduction.
From post #2

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

Ok, I will volunteer the collective advice on behalf of the all the FRC participants and mentors who are face-palming while reading this post. If you have genuinely "decided" or "convinced your team" what drive chassis you will use this year before even seeing the game, your team may want to fundementally rethink your approach to this activity.

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

I agree today "should" be the date the Checklist is available, BUT, has anyone actually seen it yet?
I checked the FIRST 2013 KOP site, but nothing is there yet. And nothing on AndyMark yet either.

Re: 2013 KB on steriods
 

Why is this so? We have had sub par results in our 10 years of doing it the way that we have. We dont have enough resources to devote time to custom things and would be better served using the provided frame. The rest of the team felt that this would be a good approach. I am reaching out to the chiefdelphi community asking for advice. Before I face palm in frustration could you please explain to me how my fundementals need to be rethought?