We have a CNC router in our shop that lends itself well to building "side-plates + stand-offs" drivetrains. They're straightforward enough for younger students to design. To machine, just throw a big sheet of plate on the CNC router, and cut 4 identical side-plates out of it in one setup. Dead-axle means you can use bolts as shafts, and the precision is moved to the wheels, bearings, sprockets, all which you can just buy. It's very forgiving, and is one of the most student-design friendly non-KoP drive setups around.
In fact, I think every single one of 610's "best" student designers have designed a 6wd "side-plates + stand-offs" drivetrain during their time on the team. It's pretty common to hear a mentor tell a student:
"You want to design WHAT? Design me a simple 6wd side-plates + stand-offs drivetrain first... then we'll talk."
Not only that, they've worked wonderfully for us on the field for the past two years. Aside from chain that stretches over time, carpet bits getting stuck in the sprockets, and wheel wear, they've been pretty solid for us.
I love seeing how other teams approach these same drivetrains. We've "gained inspiration" from a lot of other teams designs, and used them to improve our own on many occasions. I like your cut-outs for installing/removing your gearboxes.
A lot of the suggestions you're getting in this thread are identical to the ones we've fought with over the years. If you're curious to see our version of the "side-plates + stand-offs" drivetrain, we had one on our 2013 robot:
Picture w/ Electronics:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=111975
Some of the little tricks that went into it:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...49#post1298249
CADs:
http://frcdesigns.com/designs-2013/
Thanks for sharing, and hopefully we'll cross paths again sometime! Competing at BAE was an amazing experience last year!