2015: Mecanum or Slide?

[Sparkyshires]

Originally Posted by Mineboy2300

I would go with slide because it provides maneuverability and speed but doesn't have the problems with balance that mecanum does. it would take a lot of engineering to make sure that the entire robot is balanced both with and without the totes on it.

The key to a proper mecanum isn't a perfectly balanced robot, it's a suspension system. have each wheel be able to bounce up and down and you're set. Once you've finished that, programming is almost simply than skid steer code.

[String]

Slide. Since pushing power isn't very important this year slide allows teams to only use 3 motors and gain holonomic motion. It's simpler to understand and program as well, and it can be designed lighter than a mecanum drive since it only requires 3 gearboxes.

[Ether]

Originally Posted by Sparkyshires

The key to a proper mecanum isn't a perfectly balanced robot, it's a suspension system. have each wheel be able to bounce up and down and you're set..

Not quite. You actually need a keyring full of keys.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...3&postcount=41

[DJ Carpenter]

Our team is doing the final design matrix to choose this tomorrow. I personally favor slide, as it has all of the advantages of mecanum with the speed of tank drive. Only problem is weight...

[Peyton Yeung]

Originally Posted by DJ Carpenter

Our team is doing the final design matrix to choose this tomorrow. I personally favor slide, as it has all of the advantages of mecanum with the speed of tank drive. Only problem is weight...

Do you mean weight in comparison to mecanum or in general? I'm trying to see what why a slide drive would be so heavy.

Mecanum
4 wheels
4 gearboxes

Slide
~5 wheels
~3 gearboxes

Does a wheel weigh similarly as a motor and gearbox?

[Ether]

Originally Posted by DJ Carpenter

I personally favor slide, as it has all of the advantages of mecanum with the speed of tank drive.

Did you mean "all" literally?

[Mike Marandola]

Originally Posted by Peyton Yeung

Do you mean weight in comparison to mecanum or in general? I'm trying to see what why a slide drive would be so heavy.

Mecanum
4 wheels
4 gearboxes

Slide
~5 wheels
~3 gearboxes

Does a wheel weigh similarly as a motor and gearbox?

Keep in mind the weight difference between a mecanum and omni wheel.

[Ether]

Originally Posted by Mike Marandola

Key in mind the substantial weight difference between a mecanum and omni wheel.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...39#post1420039

[who716]

Originally Posted by Cash4587

Tank drive.

amen

[who716]

drop center allows for turning on the center of the robot for quick maneuverability i like that option

[mannybjh]

Originally Posted by theCADguy

Personally, I would prefer a slide drive. It grants the most mobility at the least amount of complexity. It can be mechanically implemented similarly to a tank drive (save for the sideways mobility wheels), which is a style of drive train that Team 20 is accustomed to. Also, it still has more traction than mechanum, which may come in handy on the slick HDPE scoring zones.

Just my 2 cents

I second that

[RonnieS]

Who said you have to use gearboxs for mecanum or H-drive? Save your weight and use a single reduction...unless you plan on playing defense on your own alliance. There are some nice new resources from vex that will make this super easy for some teams.

Just a tid bit: If your doing H-drive or "slide"....please don't solid mount your strafe wheel and expect it not to weaken or break when you hit the bumps.
-Ronnie

[KineticCougar]

How much do mecanum wheels cost and where can I get them? Are they COTS items?

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by KineticCougar

How much do mecanum wheels cost and where can I get them?

AndyMark: http://www.andymark.com/Mecanum-s/53.htm
VexPro: http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/mo...um-wheels.html

Are they COTS items?

Both AndyMark and VexPro are VENDORS.

[KineticCougar]

Originally Posted by cgmv123

AndyMark: http://www.andymark.com/Mecanum-s/53.htm
VexPro: http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/mo...um-wheels.html



Both AndyMark and VexPro are VENDORS.

What are the size restrictions for the wheels? Can I put 4" wheels on my robot?