Strength of CIM Case?
 

Does anyone know how strong the case of the small CIM is? I'm working on a drivetrain to play in an off-season, and I'm currently mounting the DeWalt/CIM combo using a pair of U-bolts. Look at the attached pic to see how this works. (Yes, the U-bolts are exactly the right size to hold the CIM. :) ) For various reasons, I would like to move one bolt further up the CIM case, probably 1/2 inch from the back. The CIM seems pretty solid, but I don't want to damage it. Is tightening the U-bolts likely to dent the case or otherwise cause problems?
Thanks!

Re: Strength of CIM Case?
 

my team used a muffler clamp just around the front of the dewalt. they never moved....as far as i know.

in other words holding the cim is overkill imho

...forest

Re: Strength of CIM Case?
 

1293 ran four CIMs through BaneBots in the front of their robot--with no protection in front. The BaneBots adapter suffered for it (and scared the heck out of us and our partners in one qualification match), but the CIMs ran fine. If you've got it in the frame like that, you'll be fine.

Re: Strength of CIM Case?
 

A hose clamp would be ideal for this situation. Screw part of the hose clamp to your baseplate at two points so that the loose ends can go around the motor. You might even consider using some kind of flexible material in between the motor and the hose clamp to add some shock absorbtion and apply the pressure more evenly.

Re: Strength of CIM Case?
 

As long as you don't overtighten the u-bolt the motor should hold up fine. We mounted our drive motors like that for our rookie robot and had zero problems with the motors all year. (I wish I could say the same thing about the dewalt transmissions...)

Re: Strength of CIM Case?
 

Steven,
The method you have pictured is really an OK way to hold down the motor. The end bells are soft but should not fail if you tighten the clamps. I would be sure to use something to prevent the motor from turning in the clamps. A "V" block or some other device that will bite into the motor housing. The outside structure of the motor is steel but you need to remember that the magnets are glued inside the black part of the motor. There is very little internal clearance between the magnets and the armature so any deformation of the case will push the magnets closer to the armature or will actually crack the magnet.