pic: FRC488 - 2014 Octocanum Pod - Top

[Madison]

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[Jimmy Nichols]

how are you actuating the unit?

[Blackphantom91]

These are really nice. I am assuming that you are actuating the entire pod due to the mounting holes. Cant wait to see it in action. Very nice work.

[Madison]

The highlighted bracket is attached to a 1.5" bore, 1.5" stroke cylinder. There is one cylinder for each pod. It pushes on a 3/8" bolt that will be located on the right side of the pod shown above.

The pivot is on the far left of the pod, behind the mecanum wheel.

[magnets]

This is really nice. In terms of design/simplicity, it's the best ocotocanum I've ever seen.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Madison, out of curiosity what is your change in ground clearance from Mecanum to traction?

[Madison]

There's about 1/2" of clearance.

[pfreivald]

That looks delightfully compact and sleek!

Curious: Why did you go with 4" mecanum wheels? Is it just a weight/compactness issue? Our octocanum switches from 6" mecanum (with a .75" sprocket) to 2" colsons (with a 1 7/8" sprocket!) to get the lowest gear reduction possible without an additional shifter.

Also, are you actuating all four cylinders from a single valve? If so, how fast is the switch?

Thanks!

[Madison]

Originally Posted by pfreivald

That looks delightfully compact and sleek!

Curious: Why did you go with 4" mecanum wheels? Is it just a weight/compactness issue? Our octocanum switches from 6" mecanum (with a .75" sprocket) to 2" colsons (with a 1 7/8" sprocket!) to get the lowest gear reduction possible without an additional shifter.

Also, are you actuating all four cylinders from a single valve? If so, how fast is the switch?

Thanks!

It was entirely about making the modules as compact as possible. Not much additional thought went into the decision beyond that.

We haven't decided yet if we're going to actuate all four cylinders together through a single valve or give them each (or in pairs) a valve to increase air flow. We'll probably try it both ways and, if there's no really compelling reason for the added airflow, use a single valve.

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by Madison

It was entirely about making the modules as compact as possible. Not much additional thought went into the decision beyond that.

We haven't decided yet if we're going to actuate all four cylinders together through a single valve or give them each (or in pairs) a valve to increase air flow. We'll probably try it both ways and, if there's no really compelling reason for the added airflow, use a single valve.

Fair enough. May I ask what each pod weighs, with motors and wheels?

[Madison]

Originally Posted by pfreivald

Fair enough. May I ask what each pod weighs, with motors and wheels?

Solidworks says they're 5.75 lbs. each.

[Bryce2471]

I'm also curious why you decided to run your belt and gears on the same side of the mecanum wheel. It seems like if you ran the belt on the other side of the module, then your traction mode would have a wider wheel base and the cim shaft would take less side load. I'm sure you have good reasoning for why the module is made this way. I'm just curious to see what your thinking was.