View Single Post
  #6   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-10-2005, 20:08
Alan Anderson's Avatar
Alan Anderson Alan Anderson is offline
Software Architect
FRC #0045 (TechnoKats)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Rookie Year: 2004
Location: Kokomo, Indiana
Posts: 9,113
Alan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Check it out

Quote:
Originally Posted by mechanicalbrain
Seriously though, what are the major disadvantages? My team is looking at these and I figure ill take advantage of other's experiences.
I can think of two major disadvantages, one mid-level technical issue which can range from trivial to showstopper, and quite a lot of little details.

The disadvantages: some of the mechanical power available from the motors is lost to sideways motion of the rollers, so the robot won't be able to push as hard; and it doesn't work well at all unless all four wheels are solidly in contact with the ground.

The technical issue is the control system and software. That's very easy in concept, but might quickly get more difficult depending on how good your programming and system engineering can be.

Details of wheel size, roller mounting, speed sensors, traction, drivetrain, etc. will probably make doing it more of an art than a science unless you've done it before.

Last edited by Alan Anderson : 06-10-2005 at 20:11. Reason: messed up the description of disadvantages the first time