Thread: Velcro tread
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Unread 19-09-2014, 01:40
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Re: Velcro tread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Max Boord View Post
Still confused as to how friction can happen without any level of attachment. I am also reasonably sure that carpet will neatly fit between the ridges of wheels like this which is hardly a "microscale" interaction with the carpet.
You're correct, but typical treads only apply lateral force at the carpet interaction point, while velcro hooks grab onto carpet fibers and pull upwards. There's no legitimate argument that this won't damage carpet to some degree over time; as has been said already, the "loop" side of velcro loses its stickiness eventually due to damage to the fibers. Whether or not the damage caused by velcro is enough to cause its ban from use as a traction material under the FRC manual is the point under question here.