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Originally Posted by nparikh
We've been debating using a Nascar technique to robot design. After having realized that the most efficient setup for a 6 wheel robot is to lower the center wheel, we statistically analyzed all of our matches and noted that we turn left much more than we turn right, and as such we are considering making the wheels on the right hand side a tad bit thicker (perhaps a few mm), and having the left hand train on a slight angle < 3 degrees. This compensates for the drag of the wheels when turning and allows for much faster game play.
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Nice job with the stats, I figure you will be using the same driver that you collected those stats on. Let us know how that works out, I like it... unless your driver/ game strategy changes...just a thought...
As for the drivetrain q, Tank ('06) was a six-wheel drivebase, with the middle being down 1/4''. We used 12''d, 4''w wet-track go-cart tires on the middle and back, and the fronts were narrow (to accomodate our pickup) 8'' pneumatics on our own beadlock-style rims. Our frame was welded, but we used bearing blocks to mount all our wheels, so warpage wasn't an issue. We located our CG slightly behind the middle wheel (partly by accident, I must admit), and this meant that we were generally running on our wide, tacky back wheels. We could push or at least hold everyone we came up against, but with the center wheel so much lower, it turned amazingly well. We didn't have any problems with wheel hop, for our CG wasn't above the top of our big wheels.
A lot has been said about experimenting with pneumatic tire pressure, but we didn't so much because we wanted as much tread as possible to be contacting the floor (running on a dusty floor is a GREAT way to check for this, by the way), but if you were using narrower tires it probably wouldn't be as big a deal.
I wouldn't recommend using four go-cart tires in a drivetrain unless you plan to be a "defensive specialist", as we were, or you can build a very light yet effective offensive apparatus (like our pick/unload roller).
I would recommend a six-wheel drive base if possible because you can get away from all the wheel hop problems of a four-wheel.
Good Luck, y'all. Let us know how it pans out. -JH
P.S. sorry, I tend to ramble.
