Quote:
Originally Posted by ksafin
1) The VersaBlock, to my understanding, holds bearings on both sides for the shafts of the outer wheels. What in the world is the Side Bearing Block Kit ( http://www.vexrobotics.com/media/cat.../file_1_11.png) and the Gearbox Bearing Block ( http://www.vexrobotics.com/media/cat...ile_1_13.png)?
2) How does the WCP gearbox mount onto the square tubing? I heard something about a 1/2 VersaBlock but wasn't really sure what this meant. Do you take an actual versablock and unbolt half of it? Is there a special unit? Is that really enough to hold such a massive gearbox down?
3) CAM Tensioning. I understanding how it works and all, but have a slight inquiry. If the CAM is meant to be rotated to push against the VersaBlock to tension belts, are the bolts on the VersaBlock supposed to be loosened when this is done? Or do they stay tight so as to clamp the VersaBlock on the tubing, yet the CAM overcomes this friction and pushes the block anyway? Are the bolts on the Versablock even meant to be tightened, or are they properly tolerenced in length that the VB is just meant to slide on and be that way?
4) Similar to #2, but the gearbox has me a bit confused. The outer wheels have VersaBlocks to hold the shaft straight, what is there for the gearbox? Obviously it has its own bearing, but on the other end of the tubing where the wheel is, is there a special piece to mount onto the tubing to hold the shaft straight?
5) What in the world is this? http://www.vexrobotics.com/217-3636.html |
Excellent questions!
1) The two other bearing blocks you linked to are for more "traditional" West Coast Drives. These are bearing blocks that mount through the inside of the 2x1 and not on the top and bottom like the VersaBlocks do. These typically require more machining resources, hence why the VersaBlocks were created. You do not need them if you are using the VersaBlocks.
2) Tough to explain in words -
hope these pictures make sense.
3) You can loosen the bolts to tighten the CAM, though personally whenever I run an extremely similar setup, if you tighten the bolts on the blocks enough you won't ever need to tension (was using belts).
4) As seen in the pictures I posted above, the inner end of the shaft is supported by the bearing in the back plate of the transmission, and also by the bearing in the outer VersaBlock, and these two together keep the shaft straight (hint: Don't put a bearing on the outer transmission plate - you don't need 3 bearings on the same shaft because it could potentially cause problems).
5) That is the Power Take Off addition to the WCP 3 CIM shifter. Basically it allows you a "third" speed that routs the power from your 6 CIMs to another mechanism, like a climbing mechanism or a part that needs a lot of power. Teams like 254 used Power Take Off this year to use their drive motors to pull them up the pyramid.
Hope these answer your questions. If you have any more, please feel free to pm me. I'd also be happy to send you a CAD file of my drivetrain for you to look over (It's in Solidworks, so if you use anything else it'll be a STEP file).