[Simon Strauss]

Originally Posted by Dillon Compton

Is this necessary, is it simply for increased traction, or could one theoretically design a mecanum wheel more in the style of an omni wheel, simply rotating the rollers to a 45* angle instead of a 90* angle?

Yeah, take a look at this report (where i got most of my Mecanum information from) specifically the image on the first page titled the conventional Mecanum wheel. I think that is what you are talking about and although not as cool looking as the others, probably the easiest Mecanum to build if you don't have a CNC mill or, mill master and don't want each wheel to be a multi piece wheel.