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Unread 05-04-2005, 17:28
Unsung FIRST Hero
Al Skierkiewicz Al Skierkiewicz is offline
Broadcast Eng/Chief Robot Inspector
AKA: Big Al WFFA 2005
FRC #0111 (WildStang)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Rookie Year: 1996
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Re: use of electrical sliprings

And it's going, going, it's out of here! Yes that is the answer I was looking for. If you think about the forces involved, a fast acceleration or a hit form any side transfers the forces through the fulcrum created by the gearbox directly to the upper joint and there is virtually no way to compensate without a prohibitively large bearing surface. A ring at the bottom of the assembly that mates with a stationary assembly on the robot frame, transfers all lateral movement directly to the frame and very little to the the upper bearing. Side movement is reduced to a fraction of an inch, an nothing in the gearbox is sacrificed. Good practice also dictates your first statement. Without cross bracing, (I assumed it was left out for clarification) the gearbox pulls easily out of alignment, shooting frictional losses in the bearings through the roof. An enclosed gearbox or one with bracing prevents bearing and gear misalignment and keeps the drivers happy.
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Good Luck All. Learn something new, everyday!
Al
WB9UVJ
www.wildstang.org
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Storming the Tower since 1996.