Lubricating Mecanum rollers
 

We are using Mecanums for the first time this year and noticed the slower speeds while crabbing. I know that is normal, but I read that lubricating the rollers can help.

My question is what lube to use? We have the Vex Pro 6 inch. Our bot weighs 55lbs without battery or bumpers and has 8.45:1 toughbox minis driving them.

Mostly I worry about chemical compatibility and dripping on the carpet. I don't think our weight or gear ratio matters much.

Here is what it says on the VEXpro site.
"VEXpro Mecanum Wheels are manufactured from Glass-filled Nylon, with ABS-PC roller mounts and rubber rollers."

I know they have metal pins in each roller.

Looks like I need a lubricant that is compatible with ABS, Polycarbonate, Nylon and metal. It needs to be thin enough to penetrate to the friction surfaces and thick enough to not drip off.

Thanks.
Brian

Re: Lubricating Mecanum rollers
 

We used those wheels last year and noticed that they are a lot slower when strafing sideways regardless of whether or not they are lubricated.

Not exactly sure what would be the best bet for lube, but I would DEFINITELY buy a couple of extra wheels to have on hand in case the rollers start to break off during competition. They can do that.

Re: Lubricating Mecanum rollers
 

When we used the Andymark mecanum wheels (6" reg and also 6" HD) the rollers were all stiff (hard to rotate by hand) when we first got them. We had people diligently hand roll them to "break them in" if you will.

After about 10-15minutes per wheel of this hand turning, they were significantly better off (spun easier) and performed better. I suspect that as you practice more and more they will be easier to hand turn and thus easier for the robot to turn.

We did not use lubricants of any kind on them but I assume you could, Given that none of it ever touches the field ever.

Re: Lubricating Mecanum rollers
 

Emphasis mine. The field staff really won't appreciate you leaving grease all over the field, and it would probably end up with your robot getting disqualified until you (a) put new greaseless wheels on your robot, or (b) remove the grease from the rollers.

Re: Lubricating Mecanum rollers
 

"Won't appreciate" is an understatement. The Head Ref would probably send ya off to the LRI for a robot rule violation. Let's see how bad the penalty would be for greasing the field...

R17 is the rule violation in question. Fail inspection, don't play until fixed. But if you somehow slip through... T6, alliance red card. T7, fix it or don't play. G4, robot disabled and must pass reinspection. Oh, and under T6, you don't want to show up for your next match until you've passed reinspection, so until then, DQ for no-show per 5.3.3.



As far as lubricants like the OP described go... What about powdered graphite, carefully applied and run a bit?

Re: Lubricating Mecanum rollers
 

We use graphite lubricant. It is not messy, inexpensive, works well and easy to work with. It seems as though it might increase the lifespan of the mecanums because our AM mecanums last much longer than most teams have been claiming!

Re: Lubricating Mecanum rollers
 

Yash,
Is that spray on graphite or the powered kind like I used in pinewood derby?

I know that powdered stuff does not penetrate but perhaps my team can work it into the wheels.

I will probably start with break-in exercises. Good idea.

Brian