CIMs and Driving

[Cory]

Originally Posted by jake517

Hello all,

My team is currently having weight issues, and I was wondering if we should take off a couple of our CIMs. Currently, we plan on climbing the ladder for thirty points, and then plan on dumping frisbees for twenty additional points. We also plan on playing defense. Sadly, we are currently a little overweight -- and we have yet to add our dump box.

Is it to our advantage to keep a total of four CIMs driving our tank drive robot, or would it be okay to take off two CIMs and still play defense with only two?

Thanks,
~4294

2 CIM's is a really really bad idea. You will probably not be able to turn and will likely trip breakers.

[Joe G.]

Originally Posted by Cory

2 CIM's is a really really bad idea. You will probably not be able to turn and will likely trip breakers.

To know for sure, we'd have to see and evaluate your specific drive setup. It's been done, but will definitely put you at a disadvantage.

[Gregor]

How much weight are you looking to loose?

[cmrnpizzo14]

If you are careful I think that you could get by with just 2 CIM's. If you think about it in terms of points, you will probably score those 20 points with the dumper. However, will you be able to effectively prevent the opposing alliance from scoring 20 points? I think that it would be worth it to use only 2 CIM's for driving if you can. It is worth testing and trying but will only 2 CIM's really cut enough weight for you? How much over are you?

[Shane 2429]

if its only a couple pounds grab a drill and cheese hole or drill holes into lexan out where not structural

personally i wouldn't take off those cims if you are playing defense considering you would be dropping you torque in half and would leave that as a last resort

can you please post a picture so we can see your design and see where you might cut weight out

[Grim Tuesday]

A couple of questions here are:

- How well does your 30 pt climber work? This should be your top priority to make work as it is "guaranteed pts"
- If it does work well, then how sure are you you can make a 20 pt dumper? These mechanisms seem easy at first but I've seen lots of precision engineering go into many of them to be effective
- Do you think you can deny an opponent's alliance 20 pts by playing defense?

Then you can choose between playing defense or a dedicated climb and dumper. The goals don't seem terribly complimentary - a dumper would want to be light and a defender heavyweight.

In all cases, you should try cutting weight elsewhere. Can we see a picture of your robot so we can offer advice?

[F22Rapture]

Originally Posted by Cory

2 CIM's is a really really bad idea. You will probably not be able to turn and will likely trip breakers.

This may apply less if you have a wide wheelbase, or a drop center.

In general though, if you're already near the weight limit you may have a lot of trouble maneuvering with only 2 CIMs

[AlexH]

never sacrifice your drivetrain. you cut your robots performance in 1/2 for 6lbs. you can shave 6lbs in other places without sacrificing your robots performance.

[EagleEngineer]

drive train power is the last thing you want to take off when the robot is overweight. try drilling wholes in your robot, cutting the ends of screws, and changing anything that is steel to aluminum/polycarb. If you are only 5-10 pounds over weight this should do it. (you need 4 cims on the drive).

[BJC]

Driving around should always be your #1 priority. Do not go down to two motors on your drivetrain.

Try robot weight watchers instead

Seriously, give that a look ^
Regards, Bryan

[IKE]

How many punds do you have to loose?