Coefficient of Friction Testing

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by KrazyCarl92

Does anyone have thoughts on how a test bed like this could be used in season to produce useful results prior to the drive train design phase of the season (like gathering information in days 3-5 of build)? My question deals more with the utility and practicality of such an apparatus in the actual season rather than the theory, design, or production of the apparatus.

I think there are a few options:

1. Previous robots - if you do a particular style of drivetrain twice in a row, take an old robot, maybe remove some parts from it, redistribute weight with bricks / batteries to approximate various CGs.

2. Kitbot - This test might not be as functional since the Kitbot frame may be less rigid than a welded tube frame, but for many teams testing with a kitbot is a good approximation.

It's important to note for both of these tests, you don't even need to have gearing established yet, since the wheels will be locked. The key things to simulate in these tests from what I can gather are weight, CG, frame rigidity, wheel type, and your contact polygon, so aim to prototype with those in mind.

I'll go ahead and throw this on the "list of things I wish we did". We've approximated our way into a great drivetrain the past 3 years.