Mechanum Wheel Sizes

[Dad1279]

Originally Posted by slijin

The best way to keep all 4 wheels on the ground, imo, would be to use a suspension system, or some other mechanism that allows only vertical translational play, and that requires much more complex physics to effectively design.
......

YMMV, but in 2010 we used a modified kitbot, and it had enough 'flex' to work fine with the 8" mecanums.

In 2011 we again used a modified kitbot, but the mecanums were pushed down with an air cylinder, our version of octo-mecanums. The air provided a suspension, and again, it worked fine, frankly one of my favorite drivetrains that our team built.

Having said that, this year we went with 8wd, because it was simple, lighter, and less expensive.(4 transmissions and mecanums=$760)

Our testbed for mecanums was 4 transmissions bolted to a piece of 3/4"plywood, direct driving the wheels. We were surprised how well it drove without a suspension.