pic: 319 Octagonal Drive Isometric

[Ty Tremblay]

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[Mike Marandola]

Looks awesome, but is the wheel cutout in the bellypan big enough to take the wheels out without taking the shaft and chain off? Then again you won't be swapping out colsons much, if at all.

[RonnieS]

We are doing something just like this, it looks scary similar haha.

[AdamHeard]

Are you worried about something coming under your bumpers and hitting the chain/sprocket?

Also, it seems like the 2nd frame is a LOT just to support the bumpers.

Assuming similar bumper rules as previous, something inplane with the existing drive frame could support it for far less pieces/weight/fab.

[RonnieS]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Are you worried about something coming under your bumpers and hitting the chain/sprocket?

Also, it seems like the 2nd frame is a LOT just to support the bumpers.

Assuming similar bumper rules as previous, something inplane with the existing drive frame could support it for far less pieces/weight/fab.

We adjusted our brackets to make sure our bumper was low enough to not have that problem.

I am think that structure is supported so well for the possibility of that being a second tier and not just bumper mounts.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Ronnie314

We adjusted our brackets to make sure our bumper was low enough to not have that problem.

I am think that structure is supported so well for the possibility of that being a second tier and not just bumper mounts.

Why have a 2nd tier? The superstructure can mount to the drive frame.

[RonnieS]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Why have a 2nd tier? The superstructure can mount to the drive frame.

Maybe wanting to get something like an intake as far out $@#$@#$@# possible?

[Ty Tremblay]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Are you worried about something coming under your bumpers and hitting the chain/sprocket?

Also, it seems like the 2nd frame is a LOT just to support the bumpers.

Assuming similar bumper rules as previous, something inplane with the existing drive frame could support it for far less pieces/weight/fab.

Those outer sprockets are my biggest concern with this design. I'm considering taking the hit on wheelbase to extend the front and rear frame members.

I put the second frame that high so that it was supporting the middle of the bumpers. Since the bumpers are as low as possible, I was worried about the moment created when running into a robot with the bumpers in the higher end of the bumper zone.

[Joe G.]

This strikes me as a prime candidate for belt/chain in tube, in order to protect the chain. It also means the cantilever lever arm on the middle wheel won't be as long.

[Travis Schuh]

Originally Posted by Ty Tremblay

I put the second frame that high so that it was supporting the middle of the bumpers. Since the bumpers are as low as possible, I was worried about the moment created when running into a robot with the bumpers in the higher end of the bumper zone.

If you do a one piece bumper with the corners well joined, then the moments should be resolved through the bumper wood and transformed into lateral and vertical forces at the frame. We run a very low frame with a one piece bumper that has held up really well (the top of our frame is about 3.5in above the ground).

[Ty Tremblay]

Originally Posted by Travis Schuh

If you do a one piece bumper with the corners well joined, then the moments should be resolved through the bumper wood and transformed into lateral and vertical forces at the frame. We run a very low frame with a one piece bumper that has held up really well (the top of our frame is about 3.5in above the ground).

Excellent. I actually mocked up some bumpers very similar to 971's this year after perusing through your Picasa album.

[Travis Schuh]

Originally Posted by Ty Tremblay

Excellent. I actually mocked up some bumpers very similar to 971's this year after perusing through your Picasa album.

Our cad should be pretty representitive our our bumpers also. We added corner gussets for our 2014 bumpers and found them well worth the added effort. (The 2014 bumpers held up much better than 2013).

[Jay O'Donnell]

This isn't really a specific question for the drivetrain, but I've been working with the same gearboxes and I was wondering how you are supposed to mount them. Do you just use the bolts from the standoffs in the gearbox?

[Ty Tremblay]

Originally Posted by Jay O'Donnell

This isn't really a specific question for the drivetrain, but I've been working with the same gearboxes and I was wondering how you are supposed to mount them. Do you just use the bolts from the standoffs in the gearbox?

It depends on how you intend to use them. Are you using them for a WCD?

[Conor Ryan]

Octagonal Drivetrain! Its been a long time since I've seen a good picture of one.

179 did it ?first? in 2005. (Wow I'm surprised I commented on that one too). It was a pretty great robot too. Remember, that was 2005 BB (Before Bumpers Era).

A couple things I'd recommend:

• Studying some match footage to see if it really makes a difference on a T-Bone Pin. (You don't need to go back to 2005 for this)
• Do some math proving that this concept could work in the world of T-Bone Pins.
• Will this make a difference on turning?

I'm not convinced it will make a significant/reasonable difference in any scenario, but all I got is anecdotal stuff.