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Unread 16-01-2012, 01:50
Alex.q Alex.q is offline
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Re: Poll: Wide or Narrow Chassis?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DonRotolo View Post
Impossible is such a strong word.

I have 3 robots, all 6-wheel low center drive at 119 pounds:
Bot 1: Heavier in front by 10 pounds, 21" from center wheel to edge of heavy end bumper
Bot 2: Perfectly balanced, 44" long
Bot 3: Heavier in rear by 10 pounds, 21" from center wheel to edge of heavy end bumper.

The bots are lined up on the 88" ramp Bot 1 (heavy end in), Bot 2 (in the middle), Bot 3 (also heavy end in). Bot 1 takes up 21.5", the center wheel is 0.5" from the edge of the ramp. Bot 2 takes up 44 inches. Bot 3 is like Bot 1.

21.5 + 44 + 21.5 = 87 inches. They fit.

Oh, and Bot 2 turned sideways on the ramp before Bots 1 and 3 positioned themselves, now you could fit Andy Baker on there too.

Oh, and all three bots are really 37 inches long, not 38, so there's extra room.

Still Impossible?
On this train of thought: we are planning on 8in pneumatics for traction and barrier travel. If we decide to go to to wide orientation, we could not (comfortably) fit all 6 wheels in the drivetrain. We would therefore take up more space on the bridge in wide orientation because we would have to have both front and back wheels on the bridge to balance. I suppose we could switch wheels size, but I also tipping.

The most dangerous thing i see with wide orientation is the moment you drive up the bridge at it tips from one slant to the other as you cross. I worried the tipping of the bridge will give momentum to the robot to start to tip forward.
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