Poll: Wide or Narrow Chassis?

[soxfan269]

Originally Posted by 3v3rnoob

Of course! And why CAN'T all three robots go on the long way? Part of the two on the ends can hang off and still balance right? Just don't push too much or my robot on the end will bet smashed UP![/sarcasm]

But in all seriousness, it's not very likely that all three robots will fit on the ramp if they all want to get on long-ways. Then again, that's what mecanum wheels are for, right?

Our team came to the conclusion that if you ever see three on a ramp that will be the only time you see it. I doubt from calculations we've made that you will ever see 3 robots on at once. I don't think any team will volunteer their robot to be the one hanging off the edge, there's just too much risk involved. To me a wide drive train seems the most logical. After playing many, many matches on Catalyst I can say that there is never a shortage of balls on the ground. Because of that I believe that there is an advantage to having a wider ball collecting zone.
As far as the bump goes, I don't see any major advantage that going over the bump would give you. I can't see a robot crossing the mid field more than twice, and probably more often only once. The only reason to go onto your opponents side would be to guard or to pass balls. If you're doing that then you're probably going to stay at that end most of the game. The only reason you might cross again would be for end game.

I can't see stability being an issue. If all you're doing is going over 1-2 times a game then you can cross the bridge without it being a hindrance to you. On a narrow robot design you have such little space to line up the ball to the collector that it might hurt you more in the long run, than going over the bridge twice would. Catalyst has been very helpful in identifying problems that I hadn't even thought about. I highly suggest anyone trying to decide between a narrow or wide chasis to try out any chasis available on Catalyst. Last time I checked it will only let you use a narrow chasis, but atleast then you may be able to see the difficulty that the narrow collector can cause.