Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

Conversation just happened with some students on my team and it got me thinking...

Some years ago, 1114 posted an excellent resource for many teams to help them turn the kitbot chassis into something far superior. So in the spirit of the Simbotics Kitbot on Steroids project, I'd like to propose an updated version of the project or at least pulling some suggestions together for struggling teams.

The kitbot has come a long way since then but it's still not the best it can be for every game so what minor alterations can you make to the kitbot this year to make it more effective in competition?

Right off, I think replacing the kitbot wheels with wheels that can take rough top blue nitrile tread turns the basic kitbot into a much more defensively capable robot. What other suggestions can folks come up with?

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

Mounting. The new AM14Us are getting better about this but interfacing to things with them is still not as elegant as VEXpro stuff

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

With this game, perhaps the most important change many teams will do to the kitbot is open up the front to allow easier intake of fuel or gears. Figuring out an effective and easy way to appropriate brace the frame for such an intake is key to a successful design. Especially when you consider the number of mecanum conversion kits that appear to have been ordered from AndyMark, bracing the frame to keep it square and keep weight balanced is going to be key.

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

Change the gears out for Vex gears, put a plywood belly pan in and you're pretty much set, honestly.

I like switching to 4" wheels when possible to lower CG.

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

Vex Pro wheels with the versakey pattern, and vex pro sprockets. The vex pro wheels are far stronger than the comparable plaction wheels, and the versakey pattern addresses a long standing issue with bolts shearing off under high load when they are subjected to sprocket shear.

Other than that, the new kitbot frames are pretty good for a new team.

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

As (probably) the first AndyMark employee to reach this thread, I'd love to know what things you're having trouble interfacing. (No promises we'll fix it to your satisfaction, but we can't fight what we can't see.) If you don't want to say it here, PMs or an email to (my CD username)@andymark.com will get it on the radar.

I'll put out what Iron Kings are doing, with the preface that we're sponsored by AndyMark and 20 minutes from the warehouse. Your team may arrive at different conclusions.

4" black HiGrip wheels. 4" because they are cheaper and we wanted the inch above the chassis, black from testing other engineers (hi Danny...) have done on how the different compounds handle. We'll probably have to change out wheels once a day depending on final weight and how we drive it, but we have measures to be ready for that. This is a little advanced for a Kitbot on Steroids document, but we expect it to work well.
5.95:1 gearing. That puts us around 15 feet per second, which is up significantly from the stock 10. With the wide open field and expected sprints for gears, we knew we wanted top-end speed. If we somehow end up heavier than expected, we may walk this one back a little.
Cut the front end plate, add structure back. We're doing fuel, and we're not quite to the point of over-the-bumper intakes. We may use the COTS cross plate, not sure how some other things will shake out.
Plywood bellypan. With a good coat of paint, of course.

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

You mean this?

http://www.andymark.com/AM14U3-p/am-14u3-fro.htm

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

Got another one. Encoders. I can't imagine not having them on a robot these days. They make autonomous work a lot easier.

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

The EVO shifter looks like a fantastic and easy to use product. But is shifting still a little too much for a Kitbot? Also, I'd be really interested to see an 8-wheel variant to the Kitbot on Steroids. If I come up with some more reasonable additions, I'll post them later.

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

Our team modified a am14u3 to hold a 3 Cim ball shifter with 8 inch wheels linked by 35# chain. With the amount of modifications we did to the KoP drive train we should have just opt out and went 100% custom :(

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

Vex does provide this document which is similar to what your asking for detailing how to switch out the wheels and gearboxes for their ones https://content.vexrobotics.com/vexp...ive-System.pdf

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

Good find. I had completely forgotten that was out there.

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

Why switch to aluminum Vex gears over steel AndyMark? I see Vex now has steel gears, but not in the sizes that might fit the Toughbox.

Just curious, have you seen this done? I assume the Vex gears wold have to machined down to 0.400" thickness to fit. Or maybe you meant replacing the whole gearbox.

Thanks

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

I'm hesitant to use aluminum gears with a 6-CIM drivetrain after what we saw last year. It just seems to be asking for the aluminum gears to strip. 4-CIM is probably fine.

Re: Kitbot on Steroids 2.0
 

We have seen significant wear on steel gears in a 6 cim drivetrain. We've seen aluminum gears wear out in 4 cim drivetrains. Unless you are desperate, or enjoy maintainance, the drive train is the last place your want to go for weight savings.