pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

Gorgeous system. We can all learn so much from this drive base. It doesn't matter who built it, students or mentors (yeah, I know some people would complain about it being made by some mentors... but that's not the issue I'm talking about here). What does matter, however, is that this is (nearly) perfect engineering. The West Coast Drive is essentially the penultimate drive base, in my opinion. 254 and 968 have boiled out any unnecessary material and structure.

Hey, while I'm at it, does anyone from either 968 or 254 happen to know how much that base (as pictured) would weigh? I'm doing some design work, and it would be nice to have something to compare to.

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

I just have to ask, then, what do you consider to be the ultimate drive base?

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

Judging as FIRST never stops, and teams keep getting better, I'd have to say we haven't seen it yet, and every time we think we have, it will get topped.

EDIT: removed something that apprently ticked someone off...

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

I keep forgetting to find out where they chrome the wheels. No one locally does it here in Hawaii. Liking the "bling bling.":P
Sorry 968, we really are not trying to look more and more like your bots.:D

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

I have to say that that's one of the best parts of FIRST, you can always use ideas from other robots, but they'll almost alway look completely different.

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

I agree that this is a very good drive base that has really become the signature for many westcoast teams. But I still wouldn't build one for any of my bots, still don't see any point of exposing my wheels like that... (I know because I saw my team knock two of 254's wheels off in 2005)

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

What's that aluminum on the back for?

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

It's a roller that helps to keep the chassis from riding up onto balls.

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

Thanks.

Did you guys also have another piece to this? I see nuts that look like they're for an expansion.

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

Yes

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/23983

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

We've got these bumper things now...

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

Yet they still made the finals on Einstein... ;)

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

Eh, the shiny wheels are protected (heh, and covered up) by bumpers nowadays. If I remember correctly, there were no bumpers in 2005. It's still a great solid drive system.

I have to admit I can't figure out how to elegantly mount an AM super shifter to it, but I figure there's still plenty of time to work it out.

Re: pic: 968's 2006 practice bot chassis
 

Mounting a SS should be pretty "simple." Just make your own symmetrical side plates, assemble with standoffs, and have two holes designed in that are co linear with the output shaft of the center wheel. Those two holes allow the gearbox to bolt to the chassis member.