Re: 6 wheel drive with chain tensioners and shifting
 

There are several sources for the 1" nylon inserts if you want to go that way. Mcmaster.com has them. We've been using the 80/20 Quickframe series and so far have never had a failure of an insert. http://www.8020.net/Quick-Frame-5.asp

These are designed to be used with their 1" aluminum box that have little groves inside to to hold in the inserts. We always drive in a sheet metal screw or 10-32 bolt just to make sure they don't come apart. The profiles are at http://www.8020.net/Quick-Frame-4.asp.

Compared to normal 80/20 extrusion it's more of a pain to work with but it's almost exactly half the weight.

Re: 6 wheel drive with chain tensioners and shifting
 

Frame should easily be in the 10-20lb range. For a complete drivetrain 45lbs isn't great but its also not entirely horrible. You still have a decent amount of weight to play with. It really just depends on what you're going to add on the robot.

Re: 6 wheel drive with chain tensioners and shifting
 

looks like our frame weighs 22 lbs and the gearboxes/motors/wheels weigh 23 lbs

I like the sound of these, I will suggest them to the other students.


With the women comment, that is just what we have always called our bots, mainly due to the fact that our whole design and fab team is male.... I can see how the comment could easily be misconstrued.


Thanks for all the input guys.

Re: 6 wheel drive with chain tensioners and shifting
 

If you want me to, I'll run stress on the CAD. If you want, I'll also see what I can do to strengthen/lighten it.

Re: 6 wheel drive with chain tensioners and shifting
 

Actually my mentor showed me how to run the side panels and their supports as a single part, which apparently is a good enough approximation. I will post the files though if anyone wants to look at them.

Re: 6 wheel drive with chain tensioners and shifting
 

Only if you're up for it. I am interested in seeing the result file though.