[EricH]

Originally Posted by Adama

where can i find info on drive trains?

i have been assigned the tentative drive train captain for this year and for the past two years have usually been on the other design teams
(manipulator, ball picker upper, etc). Anyhow, i don't know a whole lot about FIRST drivetrains although i understand torque and basic physics principles.

i just need some guidence and any tips and tricks on designing and building drive trains for a FIRST robot.

First, and most important, what do you want out of it? Do you want speed, maneuverability, or power? To some extent, these three will not work together without a shifting transmission.

For speed: high gearing with any transmission/wheel pattern will work, if you do your calculations right.

For maneuverability: 2-wheel, 6-wheel with a dropped center, swerve, or mecanum are your basic options. You want to avoid using swerve and mecanum until you have explored them. Some teams make these look easy, but they aren't.

Power: low gearing with anything, but no speed.

Tank treads: Be careful. One tread comes off, you are disabled for the rest of the match. You have to design right for treads.

Bottom line: Explore a bit. If you are a rookie, you should be somewhat conservative on complexity. After that, explore all the options you like. Do the power curves to find out what the trannies will behave like. Try shifting.