Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt H.
The advantage arises from ease of fabrication and weight. A simple West Coast drive can be fabricated in <2 days with only rudimentary tools. This allows more time for driver training and design. Often West Coast drives also require less frame material and thus weigh less.
As an example:
A West Coast drive could be made by welding a rectangular steel frame and welding on 1/2 in. steel bolts for axles.
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I think I should add some clarification here. While you could use a cantilevered dead axle and drive wheels with sprockets and chain, this is not what most people consider West Coast Drive. Using this system would require the chain to be on the outside of the chassis frame, increasing the forces on the cantilevered axle.
WCD was pioneered by Team 60 back in 2001-2003 and moved to 254 when those teams began to collaborate. From there it has spread to team 22 (4), 968, 1538, 1868 and many others. Done well, it is a fantastic drive system.
One of the basic elements of WCD is a live axle with a chain or belt on the inside of the chassis. (This allows the wheel to be closer to the bearings on the frame.) In addition, most of the teams that have developed their designs from the original WCD have bearings that are mounted on a block that can slide
within the chassis rail to allow adjustments for chain tensioning.
We've developed a "poor man's WCD" that puts the mounts for the bearings on a box that wraps around the chassis rail. We've found it easier to fabricate, but it is not nearly as elegant as the systems other teams use.
In any case, fabricating this sort of drive is generally more complicated than a dead axle supported on both ends by rigid framing - especially considering what comes in the KOP and the provided Kitbot.
Having said that, there is usually an advantage in maintainability, ease of making repairs and weight, not to mention the increased space available within the chassis and the wider track width that can aid in turning.
-Mr. Van
Coach, Robodox