Swerve drive questions

[asid61]

Originally Posted by nathannfm

For the shafts you might try ceramic coated aluminium shafts from McMaster they have a surface hardness much higher than the steel ones you are currently using and being aluminium are lighter and even easier to machine.

As for the thrust bearings since the inner race of the ball bearing, the miter gear and the shaft should all be spinning at the same speed I don't see where friction comes into play. I was wondering if anyone knows a way to calculate the force along the axle that would be applied to the inner race of the ball bearing by the back of the miter gear if the thrust bearing were not there, and if this would be enough to damage the ball bearing. I understand that with the thrust bearings being as inexpensive as they are it can't hurt to have it, but I was curious if calculations could be done to prove its worth.

Those are 6061 shafts. They might not hold up to high loads. Plus, you would have to key them yourself.