Thread: What teams have used belt drive on previous robots?
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Unread 04-11-2004, 16:37
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Re: What teams have used belt drive on previous robots?
(here ya go, Alex)

We (team 45) have used treads to propel the robot, but not belts to drive the wheels. I like the direction you are going, and I have wondered how well a FIRST robot would work by using "v-belts" or powered timing belts to drive the wheels. Heck, motorcycles do it (Harley Davidson, at least).

Just like a tank, treaded drive, you have to watch belt alignment and tension. These are the two important factors with any belt design issue. I assume that the advantage of chain (especially 35 series) is that it can handle misaligned sprockets better than belts can handle misaligned pulleys. Also, chain does not need as much tension to work adequately.

In industry, belts are used all over the place to power SCARA robots, linear actuators, and conveyor equipment.

I believe that it CAN be done on a FIRST robot. A *think* that a belt-drive drive base can be made lighter than a chain & sprocket drive base, as long
as it is done correctly.

Andy B.