2015: Year of the Mecanum

[Robo Hamsters]

Originally Posted by TheJoe

we don't need the large, defensive powerhouse that FRC generally sees.

This is actually our dilemma as our first 2 years we built extremely strong defensive drive bases first and then concentrated on offensive capabilities.

So we are now working on our strategy to switch to an all offensive bot.

Good luck everyone!

[oison75]

Our team is also considering using a mecanum drive train. We have never used mecanum before, but we firgured we have lots of resources to lean on and using mecanums will be very adventageous. Any suggestions for drive train layout, gearboxes, motors, bearings, etc? Also where're the best places to purchase mecanum wheels, I've only seen the Andy Mark ones and Vex ones... are those good? I'm extremely excited to start playing with a mecanum robot, but an also very nervous since our team is new to mecanum... Any suggestions?

[mfalk]

We used mecanum on our Rebound Rumble robot and had only slight problems getting on the bridges and that angle was much greater than 16-degrees. My thought is that robot drivers may underestimate their center of gravity when carrying loads up high and attempting to drive over scoring zones.

[Mecanum Wheel]

Originally Posted by chrisfl

It was the same for us. We used mechanum in 2012 and our only problem was staying in one place on the bridge. We had no problem going up and down it while at an angle.

Originally Posted by lark95

My team is also thinking of using mecnum drive. we even have an old robot from logamotion that used mecnum we are able to drive

Originally Posted by theCADguy

Also, quick question:
Can a mechanum drive be set up where the length of the drive train is greater than the width, or does it require a square wheel configuration?

Originally Posted by JosephC

If you have not prototyped mechanum or done it before, I would not recommend bringing it out this season. It doesn't seem difficult at first, but you will end up spending far too much time on your drive train instead of allocating proper time to your mechanisms.

*mecanum

[sasha831]

Our team used Mecanum last year with rather positive results, though its didn't feel very smooth to drive as the wheels fight each other, even when going forwards. We were not too impressed with the WPI libraries for Mecanum, we couldn't get them to work effectively, so we actually made our own libraries. If anyone wants to use/consult them, they can be found here:

http://ai-robotics.com.au/code-libraries/

For any help with them PM me, or send an email to the specified adress

[yara92]

Last Years our team use mecnum.
Can any one tell me why exactly the use of the mecnum this year is comfortable for the game

[Herbblood]

Does anyone know what happens with Mecanum on the HDPE? Our team worries about the friction or lack of friction we would have.

[zachrobo1]

Originally Posted by yara92

Last Years our team use mecnum.
Can any one tell me why exactly the use of the mecnum this year is comfortable for the game

In the past, the reasoning behind not many teams using mecs is that they struggle mightily against defense. On open fields like Aerial Assist, a mecanum bot can be pushed around by a 6/8wd bot with ease. Now, with no contact between opposing alliances, there is virtually no defense that can be played. With mecanums being extremely maneuverable and easy to build and program, many teams feel like this is a favorable drivetrain option.

[xhantari]

An issue we found with the use of mecanum wheels on the scoring platform is the fact that when traveling diagonally over the platform, one or two wheels become elevated off the ground. Therefore, these wheels are not able to contribute to the omnidirectional movement of the robot.

[oison75]

Also, what gearboxes should you use for mecanum?

[mrnoble]

Originally Posted by oison75

Also, what gearboxes should you use for mecanum?

We have used AndyMark's NanoTube in the past and it worked great; the gears are internal. I also like the look of Vex Pro's single reduction clamping box.

[Whippet]

Originally Posted by oison75

Also, what gearboxes should you use for mecanum?

We used a set of AM Toughbox Nanos last year with good success.

[Mecanum Wheel]

Originally Posted by yara92

Last Years our team use mecnum.
Can any one tell me why exactly the use of the mecnum this year is comfortable for the game

mecanum*

[markmcgary]

Originally Posted by Mecanum Wheel

mecanum*

Dude. Really?

[Mecanum Wheel]

Originally Posted by markmcgary

Dude. Really?

Hello Mark. Mecanum is a commonly misspelled word. There are multiple ways to say it but only one way to spell it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Until then, you may refer to this handy chart: