WHEEL TRACTION--PLEASE RESPOND
 

Posted by Jason Wolf at 2/10/2001 12:20 PM EST


Student on team #375, Robotic Plague, from Staten Island Technical HS and Verizon.



Hi,
Anyone have any suggestions upon how to add traction to the wheels? We have 2 8" wheels in each corner running with 1 motor per side with chain extending to each axle, so sort of a tank drive system. We need more traction though due to pushing and pulling the goal and stretcher, please respond with any ideas....Thanx
Jason
Team 375

Re: WHEEL TRACTION--PLEASE RESPOND
 

Posted by Chris Orimoto at 2/10/2001 12:39 PM EST


Student on team #368, Kika Mana, from McKinley High School and Nasa Ames/Hawaiian Electric/Weinberg Foundation.


In Reply to: WHEEL TRACTION--PLEASE RESPOND
Posted by Jason Wolf on 2/10/2001 12:20 PM EST:



If you are using the Skyway wheels, you could file grooves into them to add traction. However, be wary that if you "burn carpet" too much with those rubber things, you'll have to replace them.

Many teams seem to be manufacturing their own wheels out of "some type of material". I've seen numerous people using timing belts.

Just my personal thoughts...

Chris, #368

Re: WHEEL TRACTION--PLEASE RESPOND
 

Posted by Josh Vetter at 2/10/2001 7:15 PM EST


Student on team #548, Robostangs, from Northville High School and BOSCH.


In Reply to: Re: WHEEL TRACTION--PLEASE RESPOND
Posted by Chris Orimoto on 2/10/2001 12:39 PM EST:



Try connecting the wheels in front to the back ones with a chain. Thats what we did, and we have plenty of traction, and can still maneuver good.
Josh Vetter

: If you are using the Skyway wheels, you could file grooves into them to add traction. However, be wary that if you "burn carpet" too much with those rubber things, you'll have to replace them.

: Many teams seem to be manufacturing their own wheels out of "some type of material". I've seen numerous people using timing belts.

: Just my personal thoughts...

: Chris, #368

Re: WHEEL TRACTION--PLEASE RESPOND
 

Posted by Peter Zobel at 2/11/2001 12:25 AM EST


Engineer on team #557, Alpha C.R.T., from Detroit Cooley and Ford Motor Company.


In Reply to: Re: WHEEL TRACTION--PLEASE RESPOND
Posted by Josh Vetter on 2/10/2001 7:15 PM EST:



: Try connecting the wheels in front to the back ones with a chain. Thats what we did, and we have plenty of traction, and can still maneuver good.
: Josh Vetter

You're just using 2 motors for 4wd? Which motors? Our 2 wheel drive (Van Doors) isn't doing the trick and we're trying to figure something out (and yes, we know how many days are NOT left!)

Re: WHEEL TRACTION--PLEASE RESPOND
 

Posted by Jay Lundy at 2/11/2001 2:08 AM EST


Student on team #254, The Cheesy Poofs, from Bellarmine College Preparatory.


In Reply to: Re: WHEEL TRACTION--PLEASE RESPOND
Posted by Peter Zobel on 2/11/2001 12:25 AM EST:



We attempted to use timing belts on our wheels (we also use a tank drive system), but when we got to the metal lip on the bridge, the belt was too hard and we lost all traction. We took them off and now we are back to the normal wheels. Then sometimes our wheels would lose traction going up the carpet carrying the goals so we rigged up a system to raise one of the goals so it is resting on only one of the casters. Even then it still slips in high gear but we wont be needing it or wanting to go over the bridge that fast.

We may increase our traction sometime later but whatever works for you. Just make sure it doesn't tear up the carpet.

IT WORKS!!!!
 

Posted by Jason Wolf at 2/11/2001 2:37 PM EST


Student on team #375, Robotic Plague, from Staten Island Technical HS and Verizon.


In Reply to: Re: WHEEL TRACTION--PLEASE RESPOND
Posted by Jay Lundy on 2/11/2001 2:08 AM EST:



WE LATHED DOWN THE WHEELS AND USED SOLDERING IRONS TO MELT TREADS AND ITS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!

Re: IT WORKS!!!!
 

Posted by ChrisH at 2/12/2001 2:57 PM EST


Engineer on team #330, Beach 'Bots, from Hope Chapel Academy and NASA JPL, J & F Machine, Raytheon, et al.


In Reply to: IT WORKS!!!!
Posted by Jason Wolf on 2/11/2001 2:37 PM EST:



: WE LATHED DOWN THE WHEELS AND USED SOLDERING IRONS TO MELT TREADS AND ITS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!

We did that two years ago. Be sure to have a spare set of wheels on hand for when you wear out the tread on this set. If you're using a tank type drive you may find the treaded wheels a little less responsive for turning.

Chris Husmann, PE
Team 330 the Beach'Bots

Re: WHEEL TRACTION--PLEASE RESPOND
 

Posted by Jason Wolf at 2/11/2001 2:38 PM EST


Student on team #375, Robotic Plague, from Staten Island Technical HS and Verizon.


In Reply to: Re: WHEEL TRACTION--PLEASE RESPOND
Posted by Peter Zobel on 2/11/2001 12:25 AM EST:



Drill motors, 1 on each side in the middle then a chain to each wheel sort of illustrated below



wheel chain drill chain wheel