Quote:
Originally Posted by Cory
My advice would be to go look at teams who have done treads well in the past-45, 48, 1114, etc...
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The TechnoKats' tank-treaded robot was built long before I became a part of the team. It is one of the few old drivebases we have that still function, but its relevance for current design is very limited. It was made with a major underlying feature: wide metal cleats. It looks a lot like the picture
Mr.Rush posted. That helps maintain forward traction while allowing a certain amount of side slippage. It still won't turn without using a lot of power.
In the years I've been with the TechnoKats, we haven't seen a game where we would consider trying tank treads again. They just don't give an advantage over other drive systems. If the field were deeply covered with sand (or corn), they might make sense, and we'd probably apply a lot of thought to how best to design them. But on carpet, or tile, or concrete...nope.
Looking back on the first post, I see an issue I overlooked before. It looks like Lynx has already designed the frame with wheels, and just wants to know a good way to put tank treads on it instead. He probably isn't going to like my saying this, but I don't think a "good way" exists in such a case. Changing from wheels to belt-style treads will likely only make it perform worse.