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Unread 02-02-2017, 14:52
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ToddF ToddF is offline
mechanical engineer
AKA: Todd Ferrante
FRC #2363 (Triple Helix)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Rookie Year: 2011
Location: Newport News, VA
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Re: What will be the next technical growth leap for the average team?

I tend to look at this question from a mechanical perspective. Agree with Jesse that the last big step forward was the standardization of interchangeable parts for hex shafting. That single change allowed us to devote our time iterating on mechanisms instead of wasting time fiddling with shafting fitment issues.

#2 has been the availability of COTS drive train solutions. This allows teams to focus their build season time developing and building scoring mechanisms instead of struggling to get a drive train up and running.

I think the next major technological leap will be when someone puts an affordable COTS swerve module on the market. We've wanted to run a swerve drive for years, but can't justify the ridiculous cost of COTS swerve modules. And, without advanced CNC manufacturing capability, we don't have the resources to make them ourselves. In the fall, someone posted a design for a swerve module made completely from waterjet cut parts. We'll be looking at that design this summer to perhaps become the basis for an in-house swerve module. But, we'd MUCH rather just buy the parts COTS. I'm betting there are a lot of other teams out there that are itching to go swerve who are in the same boat. Just look at how quickly West Coast Drive trains spread, once we had a few affordable options for COTS shifting gear boxes.
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