where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

Has anybody found good places to get mecanum wheels other than from andymark?
Thanks.

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

Unless somebody has started a business to sell them in the last couple of years, no.

Well, unless you want forklift-sized ones, in which case, Airtrax is your best bet.

You can build your own, but it's going to be a long road--start now. (And ask 357 for help if you do--they used them 2005-2008, if memory serves.)

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

By the way, anybody catch that there is an AirTrax vehicle featured in the new Star Trek movie?

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

Fingertech Robotics sells a ~2" OD set of mecanum wheels for smaller robots.

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

Yes. Though I wouldn't call it "featured".

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

It's had a role on Mythbusters, too. And Airtrax at least used to sponsor 357...

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

Re: Andymark mecanum wheels: Any teams have experience with them? The material they're using (0.04" steel) sounds rather thin. We're concerned about durability, especially if we get pushed sideways in to a small ridge. Force would be directed at a point on the perimeter of the wheel, and we're concerned about bending.
Thoughts?

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

I've worked with one team that used them, back in 2008. The main issues are that you have to make sure the rollers are even in terms of "looseness", and that if you lose one roller, you'll want to replace it quickly. These are issues common to all mecanum wheels, though, so it's not too bad.

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

So no worry about them bending then? Because we had the same thought as we were ordering them last night. One of the mentors thought the side walls are way to thin...Either way, we're probably going to reinforce them on our own anyway. :cool:

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

In 2008 we used the 6" AM Mecanums driven direct from 12:1 Banebots transmissions. The wheels do bend under stress (like falling off the tower this year) but they are still working on that robot today. You might buy a spare or two. Be sure to inspect them after a stressful match.

In 2007 we used the 8" version. Those are built like tanks...we've never bent one. Of course they are much heavier. Those you'll need to reduce the speed of using chains from a 12:1 transmission.

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

The 2008 ones had a different strength than the 2009 ones IIRC. I remember there being surveys done asking teams who used the wheels in 08 (including us) what our thoughts were and the biggest suggestion was improve the strength of the side plates and I believe this was done for the new year. Either way, I trust AndyMark, they don't build inferior products.

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

I'd look at the shape of the wheels too.

The steel wheels on my 4000 lb truck are three times as thick as the AM wheels :)

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

Ok, thanks. We're planning on using the 8" ones also. And we really can't run them direct drive off the BaneBots transmission?

I like to put my trust in AndyMark too, but I was dissapointed in the performance of their 6" aluminum omni wheels we used for Overdrive. First round on the field they bent in half like they were paper, and we weren't even hit that hard. So now our lead mentor is very cautious about purchasing their parts and I had to spend 2 hours yesterday convincing him that AnyMark is pretty much the only place to buy mecanums.

We're planning on adding an aluminum plate to the outside of the wheels to protect those "fins" that hold the rollers.

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

The wall thickness is now 0.05", and we have recessed the edges so they don't bend (as easily as they did in 2008).

Sincerely,
Andy

Re: where to buy mecanum wheels?
 

We have spent the last four years running exclusively on AM wheels and transmissions. In those 4 years we have only encountered one problem and that issue was quickly resolved by AM.

This will be year number 5 of us rolling around on AM. We are very happy about their quality and support.