Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

Our team was thinking about using the Andy Mark Omni Wheels these year for our robot, and after doing some research on this site it sounds like a lot of teams might be doing the same thing.

My question is, would you think that the carpeted playing field might hinder the omni wheels or do you think it might be better to go a different way?

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

I would recommend that no matter what type of wheels you plan to use, to test them on carpet to see how they react. Two years ago we were using a 4-treaded-wheel design which worked fantastically on concrete, but when we placed the robot on carpet, it refused to turn. The floor certainly affects the robot's handling.
That being said, omniwheels can be rather effective on carpet, depending on how you would like them to behave.

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

The rollers on AndyMark omniwheels love carpet.

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

This is the third year our team has used the same drive train with 4 omnis and 2 traction wheels. It is a great system. Fast and maneuverable, yet remarkably strong and defensive.

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

Josh:

And you drive all six wheels right? Not just the traction wheels?

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

our team use them last yr. and it work great with our four wheel drive.

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

our team used a 3 speed swerve drive...
that seemed to work amazingly well! :D

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

Correct. Of course we do have a very heavy drivetrain. Not sure the specs but it doesn't give our other teams a lot to work with.

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

im with team 1886, and we are use mecanum wheels again like last year. The principals behind both the omni and mecanum are very close to each other.
They actually do better on carpet then on a hard surface due to an incresse of friction on the wheels which helps to propell the robot better.

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

Yeah Alot of team are using them this year... im on electrical so i dont really know how they work but im guessing they do if everyone is using them.

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

Test on carpet.

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

Team 1533 used a six-wheel chassis last year (all six wheels driven), traction wheels in the middle and AM omnis on the corners. What we also did to smooth out the ride is pair up two omnis with the rollers offset in each corner. That setup worked really well for us. I think you'll be pleased with how they do.

Steve

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

We used omni wheels 4 years in a row with great success, both the 6" and 8". They're perfect for carpet. Works well with both 4WD and 6WD.

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

does anyone have problems with wearing out the rollers on carpet... we noticed wear on the rollers already and we have only tested them once on the school tiles (the program wasn't perfect so the motors were kinda crazy but still.)

Re: Omni Wheels and Carpeted Playing Field?
 

omni-wheels are great on carpet, just be sure not to use all omnis. i've been on alliences w/ teams using all omnis before ><