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Originally Posted by Rob2713g
Hey,
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Mecanum drive trains?
Do you think they were successful this year? In other years? When would you use them?
Can they get up the ramp easily, push, etc.? Are they reliable?
Where they better than having a lazy susan?
Thanks, I'm looking forward to everyone's replies.
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The main advantage of a mecanum drive-train is maneuverability, hands down. Mecanums (and swerve/crab drives to an extent) allow you to literally go in an infinite number of directions, a feat that a standard drive-train would not be able to accomplish.
As for if they were a success, I would say certainly yes. I know my team did very well this year winning not only technical awards but also being a finalist at the Boston regional. Our main advantage was that the drive-train allowed us to have many extremely different autonomous modes. We could go over the forward, forward then over, at an angle or even swing in an arc around the target. Our robot is able to get up the ramp unassisted despite the mecanum wheels. We added some grooves to them to add traction and changed the gearing from the transmissions which allows us to climb with relative ease. As far as pushing is concerned, they do reasonably well. Our robot was primarily designed for offense, but in the few occasions where it was in a pushing match (front to front mind you), it did hold its ground if not hold the other team back.
However, the one flaw with mecanums is that they are almost too mobile. Our robot is easier to move from side to side then our cart is, which should tell you something about how easy it is to push if hit from a corner or the side. But, as a mecanum robot, your main job is to move away from those situations instead of to try and hold your ground, because it is nearly impossible.
As for when to use them, it is best to use them when there is a wide-open field, as to put their maneuverability to best use. If mecanums were used in 2004, no one would really be able to get the full potential out of their robot because of the large center structure. But, this year's and last year's games were both almost completely (if not totally) clear on the floor, making for a perfect mecanum environment.
I hope this helps, and feel free to ask any more questions!