Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

I wasn't able to get a good look at the material of the bridges at the kickoff, does anybody know if mecanum wheels would have enough traction to get up the bridge?

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

The surface at competition will be HDPE (High-density polyethylene)

I'm not sure how much grip that will provide but I think mecanums will be able to get up and over.

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

I do not think that those wheels will work on the bridge very well, i would recommend either the KOP wheels or bigger versions of them.

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

As mentioned it is HDPE, as many ramps and platforms have been in the past.

Nice video with closeups of the bridges on the FRC youtube page:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AMaq...3&feature=plcp

Answered an important question for me, balls can't get stuck underneath and the bridges return to center with nothing on them.

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

There were teams that used mecanum with no problem on the bumps in 2010 breakaway.

The only difference in traction for mecanum is they will reach their max (friction force) before a regular wheel of the same material. This would be a consideration for pushing contests, but not climbing the bridges.

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

The bumps in Breakaway were carpeted, so it was easier for the mecanum wheels to grip.

The bridge is surfaced in polycarbonate, if it makes any difference.

I'm more concerned with the key. That's an HDPE surface, and it's raised an 1/8", which is enough to turn mecanum bots into spin-my-noisy-wheels bots.

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

Thanks for pointing this out. There is a lot of other usefull information related to this years game if you watch all other episodes. Was this shown during todays kick off? Somehow I missed this.

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

I don't expect many high functioning mecanums this year without a quality suspension.

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

I don't expect many high functioning mechanums any year :P

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

These were not shown during KickOff. It would have been very helpful if they were. (Suggestion for next year?)

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

If this were reddit you would have all of my upvotes. Now, think though: I have no experience with Mecanum wheels, but would it be possible to tool-dip each individual little wheel or cover it in some kind of sticky rubber material to allow it for more grip, or would this hinder the side-to-side movement the Mecanums have?

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

1) it would not hinder the mecanum's motion. the rolling motion of the rollers is what makes mecanums work, not sliding of the contact patch

2) even with better grip, there's still a problem. for a mec to work properly, all four wheels must be on the ground. once you lift wheel(s) off the ground, it can do weird things.

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

Okay, so what you're saying is the second one wheel gets up on that 1/8" platform, one of the others will lose contact and the bot is gonna end up doing the Michigan Rag.

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

My question is, since rubber on poly will create much more friction then the bumps in break away, will this cause the wheels to stall up or slow down.

Re: Bridges and Mecanum Wheels
 

Could you re-phrase the question please? I can't figure out what you are asking.