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Originally Posted by JamesCH95
Because a mecanum drive has less total usable force at any given speed than a 6wd, and power = force * speed, does this not mean that mecanum drive has less available power than a 6wd?
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Yes. But that's a power limit, not a power loss. This may seem like nitpicking, but it's an important distinction.
Quote:
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If my interpretation is correct (please correct me if I'm wrong), the power loss in mecanum comes from the force vector cancellation during straight-line driving, not from frictional losses in the rollers.
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The "force vector cancellation" does not cause any power loss unless you are operating on a very resilient surface at high vehicle force levels and speeds. And then it's not a fixed 30% number but rather a function of the force and speed.
Once a mecanum's wheels break traction (start slipping), then any additional power supplied to the motors is wasted in scrubbing the wheels on the floor.