what is or isn't a timing belt?
 

Posted by Dennis Sipe at 1/22/2001 11:35 AM EST


Engineer on team 'Bot'ler Associates' from Linganore High School, Frederick, MD sponsored by NASA/GFSC and Smiths Industries.



I am confused.
The parts list says that any "timing belt" can be used, but what is not a timing belt?

A flat belt for the tank drive should be illegal,
but it has been used in the past. Right?

does anyone know of a robot being disqualified
because of an illegal belt for the drive?

Re: what is or isn't a timing belt? followup
 

Posted by Dennis Sipe at 1/22/2001 11:57 AM EST


Engineer on team 'Bot'ler Associates' from Linganore High School, Frederick, MD sponsored by NASA/GFSC and Smiths Industries.


In Reply to: what is or isn't a timing belt?
Posted by Dennis Sipe on 1/22/2001 11:35 AM EST:



Q:17 and Q:25 both refer to only timing belts being allowed and they are on the Additional Hardware List.

but Q:30 then says conveyor and power transmission type belts are legal, but are not on the Additional Hardware List.

don't these statements contradict?

Re: what is or isn't a timing belt? followup
 

Posted by Jason Rudolph at 1/22/2001 12:07 PM EST


Other on team #459, Rampage, from University of Florida/Eastside High School and .


In Reply to: Re: what is or isn't a timing belt? followup
Posted by Dennis Sipe on 1/22/2001 11:57 AM EST:



: don't these statements contradict?

No, if you read A30, it says that they would be legal ONLY if you were to buy them from small parts, or manufacture them from raw materials allowable as per the rules.

The onyl other way for you to use a belt is if it (according to A25) "has raised features that mate with a grooved pulley so that it doesn't slip"

hope this helps,

Jason

legal spi parts
 

Posted by Dennis Sipe at 1/22/2001 1:06 PM EST


Engineer on team #686, Botler Associates, from Linganore High School, Frederick, MD and NASA/GFSC and Smiths Group.


In Reply to: what is or isn't a timing belt?
Posted by Dennis Sipe on 1/22/2001 11:35 AM EST:



would it be safe to say:

any part in the spi catalog is legal to use?
any part in the spi catalog may be modified to use?

(unless strictly prohibited by other rules)

Re: legal spi parts
 

Posted by Michael Betts at 1/22/2001 1:18 PM EST


Engineer on team #177, Bobcat Robotics, from South Windsor High School and International Fuel Cells.


In Reply to: legal spi parts
Posted by Dennis Sipe on 1/22/2001 1:06 PM EST:



: would it be safe to say:

: any part in the spi catalog is legal to use?
: any part in the spi catalog may be modified to use?

: (unless strictly prohibited by other rules)

Dennis,

With the exception of custom parts (SPI offers some custom services), yes.

Mike

Yes, with exceptions
 

Posted by Andy Baker at 1/22/2001 1:22 PM EST


Engineer on team #45, TechnoKats, from Kokomo High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.


In Reply to: legal spi parts
Posted by Dennis Sipe on 1/22/2001 1:06 PM EST:



: would it be safe to say:

: any part in the spi catalog is legal to use?
: any part in the spi catalog may be modified to use?

Yes and yes... except:

No pneumatics components from SPI (fittings) can be used.

Interestingly enough, FIRST has never said anything about not using the motor on p.310 for our robots. The main problem would be the fact that it runs on 110-130V. We would have to make a custom circuit to get it down to 12V, and making that circuit would be illegal.

If anyone can find a way to do this, then they have an extra motor.

...I wonder how much torque that flexible shaft on the same page can handle?

Andy B.

Re: what is or isn't a timing belt?
 

Posted by Dave... at 1/22/2001 8:19 PM EST


Engineer on team #5, Robocards, from Melvindale, MI and AFL (Alcoa Fujikura Ltd).


In Reply to: what is or isn't a timing belt?
Posted by Dennis Sipe on 1/22/2001 11:35 AM EST:



: I am confused.
: The parts list says that any "timing belt" can be used, but what is not a timing belt?

: A flat belt for the tank drive should be illegal,
: but it has been used in the past. Right?

: does anyone know of a robot being disqualified
: because of an illegal belt for the drive?

A timing belt by design will have raised protrusions, or teeth, on either one side or sometimes both sides of the belt. These are designed to keep two or more timing gears in synchronization, without slip occurring.

A single sided timing belt would always have the teeth on the inside, with the outside being flat. Therefore, not all belts which appear to be flat would be "illegal." A double sided belt (in a real application) would be used with at least three gears, two on the inside of the belt and one on the outside.

Dave...