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Unread 09-01-2013, 12:47
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Bob Steele Bob Steele is offline
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Re: Mecanum vs Treads

During this discussion there seems to be some disagreement about what you meant by "treads". Did you mean regular treaded wheels or a tracked system?

This will be a game that is going to have a ton of contact. Mechanums have an inherent inefficiency because they can't use all of the force directly in one direction. They, therefore, are not by any stretch of the imagination a means to push around other robots or push through other robots.

They do have the ability to be agile and avoid some of the contact.

Because of the "pinch points" on either side of the pyramids this year... this agility might be compromised to a certain extent. They are great in the open field... because other robots can't strafe. As I said this is somewhat negated by the way the field is this year.

I think you should decide what you want to do and just be aware of the limitations AND the advantages of the mechanum (or any other drive).

You might look up a cool drive called the Octocanum drive system implemented by Team 488 in 2011. It has the advantages of both systems, albeit it is complicated... very cool though...great design work done by a great team (Go XBOT!!!)

No hate here...just opinions....why may vary.... (<understatement)
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