Mecanum Wheels

[TheFerret]

Our team this year is looking at mecanum wheels, the only problem is that we don't know where to get them (or to an extent make them)... Is there anyplace that we can buy some from or do we just have to make our own...

[Cory]

These threads would probably be helpful:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...light=mechanum

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...light=mechanum

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...light=mechanum

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...hlight=mecanum

[ahecht]

Another thread to look at would be:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=39818

190 is working on getting drawings of our wheels put into a whitepaper, but we are still trying to find a backup copy of our CAD files (since our CAD computer had a hard drive failure).

[NeilR]

Hi all;

Over the past two years I have developed and built an 8" Mechanum (Mecanum?) wheel that I am finally in a position to provide to a limited number of FIRST teams. I have attached photos, and you may direct questions to my email at Neil@vectorr.com. This is NOT a money making affair, just trying to recoup a portion of my tooling costs, which have been considerable.

The specs are as follows:

Overall diameter = 8"
Width, all inclusive = 5"
Tire material = 80 durometer urethane rubber
Hub material = Aluminum 6061
Weight = approx 5.5 lb per wheel
Cost = $85 per wheel plus shipping
Bore = 3/4" with 3/16" keyway
A pair of ball bearings on each idler, total of 12 per wheel

This is a nice wheel, fully tooled and properly assembled. Should perform well. You may want to add loctite to the fasteners. I don't do that, just in case you want to change it somehow. This is easy to take apart and put back together. I may have some spare parts available as well, contact me.

I can provide (for free) an algorithm for steering a robot with 4 of these. You will need 4 independent drives to make it play, with all on the ground at all times.

Neil Rosenberg

P.S. I've only got enough for 25 sets, first come first serve!

P.P.S. I offer no warranty either expressed or implied. I have done the best I can to make them durable and of very good quality. If you are not happy with them after you receive them, please return them unused and I will refund your complete purchase price less shipping. You be the judge.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by NeilR

Hi all;

Over the past two years I have developed and built an 8" Mechanum (Mecanum?) wheel that I am finally in a position to provide to a limited number of FIRST teams. [...]
Neil Rosenberg

P.S. I've only got enough for 25 sets, first come first serve!

P.P.S. I offer no warranty either expressed or implied. I have done the best I can to make them durable and of very good quality. If you are not happy with them after you receive them, please return them unused and I will refund your complete purchase price less shipping. You be the judge.

Wow, Neil! These are some sweet looking wheels.

Just a caution to folks considering Neil's limited supply offer: under <R36> in the 2005 FRC Robot Rules, Neil's wheels would not be allowed because he cannot supply all teams at the same price. You could still use the design if you fabricated them yourself and accounted for the cost correctly. Of course, <R36> may not be the same in the 2006 rules.

[NeilR]

Hi, and thanks for the feedback.

We'll have to let the "rules" gods figure this out. I'm happy to provide them at the same price to all teams, I just don't have an infinite supply. I'd rather be up-front about it than disappoint someone later.

Neil

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Richard

Just a caution to folks considering Neil's limited supply offer: under <R36> in the 2005 FRC Robot Rules, Neil's wheels would not be allowed because he cannot supply all teams at the same price. You could still use the design if you fabricated them yourself and accounted for the cost correctly. Of course, <R36> may not be the same in the 2006 rules.

And, of course, the rule only applies to a robot that will be used in a FIRST competition. Nobody can penalize you for putting those wheels on a non-competition 'bot if you want to make something to play around and practice with.

[NeilR]

OK, here's the "new" situation. FIRST has discussed the matter and the decision is that I can't sell the wheels this year (not enough supply). So, here's my offer.

I will gladly donate a set of wheels (4 plus a spare) to the first 10 teams that request it. No charge, but you pay the freight. In effect I'll be a sponsor to your team.

Don't ask for them unless you're serious about using them. Yes, you can modify them in any way you desire, such as to change the bore, get rid of weight, etc.

Contact me via email at Neil@vectorr.com

My gift to FIRST.

Neil

[Richard Wallace]

What a great offer, Neil!

I hope we will be seeing your wheels on some FRC robots this year, and even more next year.