Using Treads this year?
 

Our team is looking to possibly use the new AndyMark tread system, due to the vast amount of obstacles, anyone have any thoughts? Pros/Cons? Thanks!

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

Another question, does any other site sell any kind of tread or kit? We would rather not have to wait 2-3 weeks to get a kit and also would rather mod the KOP chassis to take treads.

Edit: one other question, what would be a good wheel for treads?

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

That was one of our mentors' first thoughts. They're very expensive ($170 a side for simple two-wheel-per-side), and we've found that most of the uses we've thought of would be covered with 4WD and a large clearance. I'll edit when we do some deeper analysis, but at least one other team is thinking about them.

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

Treads are great for crossing rough terrain, but do not have great maneuverability.if your strategy is to mainly cross defenses then they would be a good idea but if your aim is to focus on boulders then other types of wheels would be better eg. 4/6 wheel tank

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

The AM treads are quite expensive

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

First thing that came up when "Tank Treads" was searched was this and the general response was an "lol nah" so we are gonna try and make a cheapish one (buy some treads, get some wheels to go with, mod the KOP to use it) the issue is, we are not sure of what would be good wheels and how we would go about modding the KOP Chassis (which also depends on the design we go with)

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

Y'all should ask 1619 for advice on this. They have a near-perfect history with tank tread, and have a list of suppliers.

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

I'll volunteer their webpage for starters.

http://www.team1619.org/robots/desig...hts/tank-drive

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

This is great. Thanks for posting this. (And thanks to that team for their info/experience!)

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

Hey everyone,

This is what we use...

http://www.mcmaster.com/#rough-top-belts/=10m5tvz

Part Number: 5994K9

I would like to add that a sponsor helps us to order through McMaster Carr. Our parts usually ship same day and we pick them up the following day.

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

Have you had any issues because those are not timing belts? Seems like they might slip.

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

Something my team did was buy just the tread and the wheels. Therefore we can customize how many rollers we have. Plus we wont have to wait 2-3 weeks for the tread since the site stated that only the full modules would take that long, while the tread doesn't have that time constraint. Another thought is using belts that you would regularly use on belt driven systems (wouldn't suggest that). Another idea is use custom conveyor belts from McMastercarr.
Good Luck.

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

Possibly. They do sell some belts that you can customize to your needs.

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

Hey just wanted to say thanks for everyone's help posting this.


How would you cut down the width of the belt from http://www.mcmaster.com/#rough-top-belts/=10m5v49 to fit on the gears in the KOP kit though, cuz I'm guessing straight out cutting them would tear it to shreads. Is there a special tool or can you request a specialized order?

Re: Using Treads this year?
 

We cut the blue nitrile rough top with tin shears. They work really well. As for splicing the tread, we were considering threading the two ends together with very thin wire. This would be the first time we are using blue nitrile for belt/tread material, so, we are still experimenting with different ways to splice it.