Re: omni drive vs tank
 

Sometimes. But it caused me to grey a bit earlier than I wanted. :ahh:

Matt

Re: omni drive vs tank
 

For the second consecutive year we've decided to use omnis in the front and traction in the back but the omnis are run on the same chain as the traction so we get some power with them.

Re: omni drive vs tank
 

Cristian, thanks for contributing to this thread. However, I think that this statement isn't quite true. However, you're not the only one who has made this sort of statement before, so don't feel too bad!

The amount of linear force that a wheel provides isn't completely related to the chain tension that is spinning the wheel, as John mentioned before, it's really related to the coefficient of friction (how sticky the wheel is) between the wheel and carpet.

If you take a step back and imagine that your front omni wheels are actually made of a material that really slips on the carpet, they won't be contributing the pushing force your robot can produce. As the chain pulls on the sprocket that turns the wheel, the traction heavy wheels in the back will be biting in to the carpet, while the front will basically be slipping. Basically, you take the coefficient of friction times the weight on each wheel to get how much force your robot can push with.

Hope this helps clarify!

Matt

Re: omni drive vs tank
 

That may be true but from experience I know that the omnis do help in a pushing match especially when helped by the back wheels.

Re: omni drive vs tank
 

All I got to say is TANK all the way man.