Thread: Mecanum wheels
View Single Post
  #7   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-01-2014, 18:33
Oblarg Oblarg is offline
Registered User
AKA: Eli Barnett
FRC #0449 (The Blair Robot Project)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Rookie Year: 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 1,108
Oblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Mecanum wheels

Quote:
Originally Posted by jbsmithtx View Post
Try VEXpro. They have very affordable yet durable mecanum wheels. The other posters are correct in assuming that unless you are trying to catch, mecanums might not work well this year... However don't believe they are easy to push. We had to play defense with our mecanums last year in matches when our shooter failed and were fine. We could block lots of teams. I know this is contrary to popular belief, but a properly done mecanum drive base can in fact be very strong.

For anyone that wants to question our pushing abilites, we have video...
Mecanum wheels, neglecting friction in the rollers, have an effective coefficient of friction that is a factor of sqrt(2)/2 reduced from that of a traction wheel made of the same material. You can verify this yourself by drawing a free-body diagram of a set of mecanum rollers in contact with the ground.

Whether or not this translates to "being pushed all over the field" depends critically on context (robot weight, weight/drive of opposing robot, weight distribution, manner in which you're hit, etc).
__________________
"Mmmmm, chain grease and aluminum shavings..."
"The breakfast of champions!"

Member, FRC Team 449: 2007-2010
Drive Mechanics Lead, FRC Team 449: 2009-2010
Alumnus/Technical Mentor, FRC Team 449: 2010-Present
Lead Technical Mentor, FRC Team 4464: 2012-2015
Technical Mentor, FRC Team 5830: 2015-2016
Reply With Quote