Hey robotics people, My team (4169 out of Sudbury, MA) is trying to decide whether or not Mecanum wheels will work with what design we have. So far, we've got a WIDE chassis configuration (AM14U2 from the KOP), and from what I've read the wheels may work best with the square configuration. Is this true? Our team was going to purchase the upgrade kit from Andy-Mark
http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-14u2-mk6.htm but it's been sold out. The individual parts are all in stock though, except for the wheels themselves. We are trying to find some 6" heavy duty ones, but will other sizes and types work with this upgrade kit? For anyone with experience with Mecanum wheels: Our design has fairly uneven weight distribution, particularly when carrying the totes. Will the affect the movement (strafing) at all, and is there a way to get around this, by having the drive team manually adjust the motor speed?
Also, what physical controls do people usually use to drive them?
Does anyone know if these wheels (
http://www.vexrobotics.com/mecanum-wheels.html) can work with this chassis and upgrade kit (
http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-14u2-mk6.htm)? I've heard that they're much more reliable this year with the steel part and am interested in using them.
EDIT: They just sold out of gearboxes!!
http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-2679.htm Can we still use the Mecanum wheels with four of the gearboxes that come with the AM14U2 chassis? And does anyone know if there is another place to find the gearboxes?
Thank you so much guys, and good luck at the competition!!