Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeDubreuil
I'd like to make a suggestion for this thread and the AndyMark website...
I have been following the development of this product since the first CAD drawings were posted on CD. Now, I think I'm a fairly smart guy... college educated and a pretty good software engineer.... it took me a very long time to realize these would be used as a pair and tie wrapped together. Now I realize why everyone thought the idea was so beautiful in its simplicity.
Now for the suggestion... could you show a picture of it used on a robot? I think that would help people (maybe I'm the only one) understand how to use it and why it's so effective.
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As for the picture of this thing in action, I will take one tomorrow and upload it and why it is so effective:
-Lightweight
-Cheap
-No maintenance
-Easy Removal (We wasted so much time taking the snap ones on and off).
-Can be left floating or can be made stationary
-No lubrication
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elgin Clock
Ok. I can safely comment about those curved features now.
In our typical chassis designs, we run our chain in a very tight area between 2 metal plates. I'm concerned in our design (and in similar one's I've seen) that those tabs are sticking out way too much to be effective & not get snagged on those plates, or anything mounted inside those plates. (Bronze bushings, spacers, screw heads, etc...)
We had our frame spaced so tightly one year in terms of area between plates, that a rushed replacement socket head cap screw (rather than the original flat head screw) actually popped the chain right at the link in the finals match of a competition.
I love this design, but I'm just saying that if we were to use these, we would more than likely just use zip-ties, not use the rubber bands or o-rings (which I think will wear out even more quickly over a competition anyways and require more maintenence - even more so than the blocks themselves with the concerns Greg N. posted) & we would probably cut or shave those curved tabs right off.
Just a thought from someone with bad experience with a hardware vs chain matchup in a real world design application.
Of course, your results may vary.  |
The zipties don't wear really, you could ideally go 7-8 matches without even worrying about the zip ties. As long as you cut the ends of the zip ties off. If the frame is really too tight. We used only one of the blocks then. We mounted it in between and made it stationary. If you upload a pic of your frame. I could give you solution. We had this problem when we were using the mcmaster carr ones 3 years ago.