pic: 1710's Recycle Rush Chassis

[Jpatterson1710]

Originally Posted by Madison

Your weight distribution is, so far, bonkers.

Ouch, maybe you shouldn't criticize a design until you know how the rest of it goes together. If you have a problem with us, then you can turn down the invitation to our alliance in Elims.

[Jpatterson1710]

Originally Posted by weaversam8

Wouldn't having the battery off to one side like that affect driving? We moved our battery slightly to the side and our chassis turns due to the extra weight.

P.S: The flipped image is due to iPhone EXIF data. Remove the EXIF data, or modify it, and it will not be flipped.

That's not final position for battery, also I made some battery-sized 14 pound weights, just in case.

Thanks for the tip, perhaps android has at least a couple advantages.

Originally Posted by Jpatterson1710

Ouch, maybe you shouldn't criticize a design until you know how the rest of it goes together. If you have a problem with us, then you can turn down the invitation to our alliance in Elims.

Or maybe you shouldn't show an unfinished design and expect people to think you know what you're doing with it when you've shown no evidence whatsoever to prove that statement. These people are trying to provide helpful advice given what you've shown, and you're putting on a pompous attitude as if your unfinished design is the greatest thing ever. Your entire thread is a disappointment.

[safiq10]

Wow! This is an interesting design to say the least. I personally am terrified of Casters due to our experience with them in BEST Robotics. I personally would keep an extra pair of omni wheels just in case if something happens and your drive need to switched out.
But hey if you guys feel comfortable with this drive train and score the points your team needs then bring on the casters! Good luck this season!

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Jpatterson1710

Ouch, maybe you shouldn't criticize a design until you know how the rest of it goes together. If you have a problem with us, then you can turn down the invitation to our alliance in Elims.

Allow me to put it this way: It is very rare for a team to use casters and not regret it. I can think of maybe one exception (56 in 2005 comes to mind, using ball casters instead of regular casters). On the other hand, using omnis to accomplish the same purpose very rarely results in regrets. (I would also note that I would be very, very, VERY careful with the weight distribution given what is shown--that drive wheel is just a little far forwards, assuming the open end is the front, for my liking with no visible support behind it in case of sudden acceleration over a ramp going the wrong way. Again, this is just what is shown, so I can't comment on final designs.)

But when someone insists that they've got it under control, gives no details or details that aren't necessarily related to the problem brought up, and then when people say "hey, those details you mentioned aren't going to help you", and that person responds with an attitude that basically says "You don't know what you're talking about, we're better than you"... That's a great way to end up on a lot of teams' lists of teams they don't want to pick. Reference the link below.

And then you add in that a fair number of the commenters so far either have had experience with casters, or have seen teams that have, and have been doing this for quite a while... generally it isn't a bright idea to blow off advice from folks with lots of experience.


*puts check in unmarked box on scouting sheet*

[Jpatterson1710]

This was not meant to be an advice thread. Although I take every comment into consideration, when they are phrased in a way that seems attacking toward us, it's hard not to become defensive. The replies to this thread in no way could be considered gracious or professional. I'm not looking for people to give us design advice at this point, if I was I would definitely provide more information. All I ask is that we refrain from attacking ideas any more. We may not be the best team, but our bot it 100% student designed and build with only slight direction from mentors, and we pride ourselves on that.

[JosephC]

Generally, people post week 1 designs and builds on CD for feedback, as you can tell by this thread. It's generally wise to take the experience of those who have been doing this much longer than you, or we wouldn't need mentor's would we?

Criticism can be constructive. If you can't take the suggestions of other people into consideration, you're doing something wrong.


As for the design itself, I'd be wary of your CIMs being behind your wheels, I've seen a lot of teams do it before, and it generally leads to wheelies when accelerating. Check out 68 in the beginning of this video for example : Click

*Please note that this was due to unbalanced CoG, not necessarily CIM location*

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Nuttyman54

At the very least, make them ball casters so they ride smoother. Omnis will drive nicer still.

Came here just to say this...if you're set on casters, use ball casters. There is no advantage to regular casters and ball casters eliminate some of the problems associated with the kind you have pictured.

[Jpatterson1710]

Originally Posted by JosephC

*Please note that this was due to unbalanced CoG, not necessarily CIM location*

Exactly, check out some of our match footage from last year. We've learned a lot about "tippy" robots. That was one change I considered, CIMS could probably be moved.

[Jpatterson1710]

Originally Posted by Cory

Came here just to say this...if you're set on casters, use ball casters. There is no advantage to regular casters and ball casters eliminate some of the problems associated with the kind you have pictured.

I have considers ball casters. I don't really want the omnis. These were the only casters at the local hardware store.

[Jpatterson1710]

Anyone know of a team that used ball casters? I would like to look at some video of that.

[mrnoble]

We can only work with what you show us. This far, we can see a frame, which (combined with your reticence about strategy and what sits on top of the frame) tells us little. Folks have pointed out that:

The gearboxes are behind the drive wheels,
The battery is placed in a wing rather than centered, and
Casters are being used in front.

All three are worrisome, and folks want you to know that (from what we can see) there may be better ways to approach things. This year's game will certainly invite new and innovative designs, but listening to the concerns of veterans here who only want to help would be wise.

I've had several experiences here over the years where I posted a photo and got feedback that I didn't want, but that I needed.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Jpatterson1710

Anyone know of a team that used ball casters? I would like to look at some video of that.

469 in 2004. Someone earlier in the thread mentioned 56 in 2005.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Jpatterson1710

I have considers ball casters. I don't really want the omnis.

This reminds me of a good quote from JVN

Originally Posted by JVN

Remember to ALWAYS use physics in engineering discussions. There is really no room for "feelings" in this sort of thing.

"I don't really want omnis" isn't a great reason, especially if you were to use this kind of argument in a professional environment post graduation, which I assume is a goal of your team given your high student involvement.

[Jpatterson1710]

I guess I should have backed that up. I don't want to use omnis, because the rollers are more likely to break than a caster, and in the event of a break, casters are one easily accessible nut, rather than messing with collars or spacers with a shaft.