Drive Trains & All that they encompass

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by SuperNerd256

3) AndyMark CIMple Boxes. I've got to say, those are some beautiful transmissions. I love them. They are small, light, cheap, come in the KoP (not in 2013), and allow for really nice driving speeds.

How do you know they aren't in the 2013 KOP?

[DampRobot]

Originally Posted by Gregor

How do you know they aren't in the 2013 KOP?

Because it was announced that they would be Toughbox Minis (currently sold on AM).

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by DampRobot

Because it was announced that they would be Toughbox Minis (currently sold on AM).

Oh I missed that, where was it announced?

[F22Rapture]

Originally Posted by Gregor

Oh I missed that, where was it announced?

Here

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Gregor

How do you know they aren't in the 2013 KOP?

Because the 2013 Kitbot details were released in the FRC Blog back in September, at http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr.../blog-09-07-12. Specifically the following section:

If your team decides to receive the 2013 KOP Drive System, you will receive an AndyMark C-Base chassis system similar to the last few years. It will again be a six wheel drive robot, with similar wheels to 2012, and with enough material to drive all six wheels. The 2013 gearbox is a ToughBox Mini with 10.71:1 reduction. The estimated final drive speed is about 10 feet per second.

By the way, to the OP: You seem to have missed the three most important elements of a good robot last year. Those three are drivetrain, drivetrain, drivetrain (says Mr. Bill Beatty, who has 4 FRC Championship wins and 1 FRC Championship Finalist under his belt--I'm inclined to figure he knows what he's talking about). The KOP drivetrain is pretty close to bulletproof as far as drives go. The KOP on Steroids drivetrain (look it up in CD-Media) is good if you have a little extra money for extra parts.

Now, some answers for the questions, from past experience:
1) Depends. KOP wheels, KOP with treads attached, modified COTS all have their uses. If I had a low budget, KOP or AndyMark; typically a 6"-8" wheel with 6" being preferred; larger wheels only if terrain required and I couldn't find another method.

2) 2"x1"x1/8" wall box aluminum extrusion, welded.

3) I've seen single speed (ToughBox equivalent), multi-speed (AM Gen2 and SuperShifter, as well as drill transmissions that came in the KOP before 2005).

4) See "other method" referred to in 1 above. 6WD or 8WD with dropped centers most likely, but terrain and other maneuverability requirements may call for something else.

5) Are you including the time for designing? KOP is 0 design, about half a day to a day building; custom drives can be 3-4 weeks designing and go together in two days or be 1 week designing and 1 day assembling mechanical stuff.

6) Chain, #35 to be exact, despite the weight. It's pretty good at staying on the sprockets and staying aligned. #25 as well for some applications off drive.

7) Long, but depends on the game as to what accommodations are made for acquisition.