Using plaction wheels on a roller claw

[Daniel Brim]

We used polycord for the actual grip on the tube, but for the initial contact surface we used banebots wheels. They wore a little bit, but they got even more grippy as they wore down. We were extremely pleased with how they performed.

[Dominator1619]

I know the name isn't a popular one anymore, but banebots has wheels with more than enough grip to do the job. We used the blue 2 7/8" ones with a .500 diameter shaft. Work wonderfully once we got our second gearbox ( we ordered everything we got from them separate so we'd have at least most of the roller components ).

[jblay]

A problem with the plaction wheels is that is a lot of weight you are putting on the end of your manipulator. I would recommend using a piece of pvc with whatever tread you choose riveted on and if you decide to go with polycord in your claw you can use the tread to space out the polycord. We have done it this way on our bot this year and our bot from 09 but this year we used solid aluminum rod which is overkill when looking back on it. We also used the 1 inch pulley diameter polycord this year and while it worked fine I wouldn't recommend it becaue it has some issues with breaking while the two inch pulley diameter stuff never broke in our history of using it.

[Ninja_Bait]

Speaking as the main designer on 694's claw, the setup we had was wonderful, but the spaghetti polycord was a last resort. We probably would have done way better with flat polycord.

With plaction wheels you need to make sure that your floor acquiring angle is high enough so that the tubes don't just get pushed around by the bottom wheel, because they won't be pulled up unless both wheels are in contact. Also, if you want to hang over the ubertube, those big wheels might create an obstacle.

[thefro526]

I'd recommend using Banebots wheels: http://banebots.com/c/WHB

They're cheap, robust, easy to drive (1/2" Hex) and come in a variety of diameters.

[pwnageNick]

We used urethane wheels from McMaster. They were really grippy and picked up the tubes very quickly.

[Brandon Holley]

Thirding the call for banebots wheels. Cheap, light, grippy, variety of mounting configurations...should work well for just about any variety of roller claw your going for.

-Brando

[PAR_WIG1350]

Originally Posted by Brandon Holley

Thirding the call for banebots wheels. Cheap, light, grippy, variety of mounting configurations...should work well for just about any variety of roller claw your going for.

-Brando

Fourth, just buy extra because they have serious wear potential.

What color banebots wheels would anyone suggest? Does it matter? I read something about the wheels being different based on color. Also, what size would one recommend?

Thanks!

[Jeffy]

Softness. Green is softest, blue is hardest.

thanks

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by SuperNerd256

What color banebots wheels would anyone suggest? Does it matter? I read something about the wheels being different based on color. Also, what size would one recommend?

Thanks!

I saw Blue, Green and Orange used in various claws and there didn't seem to be a noticeable difference between the three. Personally, we chose Orange because it went best with our color scheme.

[ajlapp]

We considered Banebots wheels but ultimately chose Vex wheels...they definitely had the best grip characteristics on the tubes.

Originally Posted by ajlapp

We considered Banebots wheels but ultimately chose Vex wheels...they definitely had the best grip characteristics on the tubes.

Which VEX wheels would you suggest? Any specifics? Could you provide a link, and why you chose them?

[ajlapp]

We used the variety linked below....we chose them based on a subjective analysis of grippyness on the tubes. Plus they're low cost and we were able to push a 3/8" hex broach through them with relative success.

http://www.vexrobotics.com/products/.../276-1496.html

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/36542