Thread: Contact Area and its Relation to Friction?
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Unread 07-11-2007, 10:15
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FRC #0395 (2Train Robotics)
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Re: Contact Area and its Relation to Friction?
I'd like to pose a different question related to contact area v. friction. What benefit is given by adding additional wheels to your drive train? In 2005, we ran a 16 wheel drive train. In 2006, we went to 8x8, and in 2007 did 6x6. However, according to the coefficient of friction*normal force, we should maintain the same amount of grip regardless of presenting additional surface area by adding extra wheels. In all our robots, our CG is usually towards the rear. So, once again, I present the question. Is it worth making massive drive trains (besides the fact that you add many more fail-points, reducing chances of a crippling blow), or should we just stick with 4 wheels?
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