[FTC]: Tank Treads

[Munchskull]

Where can you buy doubles sided time belts for cheap?
Also what would be the recommendation for the with?

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by Munchskull

Where can you buy doubles sided time belts for cheap?
Also what would be the recommendation for the with?

SDP-SI sells double sided timing belts in metric and imperial sizes. I would recommend metric, as you'll have more choices. You're looking under Timing Belts.

I'm looking at maybe doubling up 9mm belts, but you could also try 15mm or something thinner. You're looking at $20-$100 per tread depending on width and length of the belt.

[Gdeaver]

Monday night we took our summer practice bot and put some Tetrix tank treads on it. It was an ugly violent climb up the mountain but it did work. Need to make several geometry changes. Robot drives terrible on the floor. Good night in proof of concept but, a long way to go.
http://wiki.team1640.com/index.php?t...14_150921a.jpg

[DavisDad]

Originally Posted by Gdeaver

Monday night we took our summer practice bot and put some Tetrix tank treads on it...
http://wiki.team1640.com/index.php?t...14_150921a.jpg

Thanks for sharing your work, and the photo!

[Sasha]

We also put some tetrix tread on the robot. It climbed the inclined surface OK; didn't have time for test driving on the floor yet. Will test more next time. Meanwhile, here is the photo:
https://www.facebook.com/islandbots/...type=1&theater

[Munchskull]

Originally Posted by Gdeaver

Monday night we took our summer practice bot and put some Tetrix tank treads on it. It was an ugly violent climb up the mountain but it did work. Need to make several geometry changes. Robot drives terrible on the floor. Good night in proof of concept but, a long way to go.
http://wiki.team1640.com/index.php?t...14_150921a.jpg

Do you think a center drop would improve its ability to drive on the floor without compromising it's mountain climing?

[Coach Seb]

So any update on using the Tetrix tank treads ? We got our first prototype last night and because we did not have the rubber insert, we could not climb the ramp... just placed the order today and hopefully it will help !

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433...group_activity

Coach Seb
FTC 9819 RoboRats

[polytechnique]

My team has had poor experience with tank treads in the past. We've had issues with the treads coming apart or slipping off the wheels and pulleys due to contact from the side, resulting in a torquing motion.

Just to serve as word of caution, speaking from experience. They tend to be a hassle and result in a lot of pinched fingers.

[DavisDad]

I found some interesting videos for various climbing robots with treads and wheel designs:

Search YouTube: "asme robot competition"

[DavisDad]

Originally Posted by cadandcookies

SDP-SI sells double sided timing belts in metric and imperial sizes. I would recommend metric, as you'll have more choices. You're looking under Timing Belts.

I'm looking at maybe doubling up 9mm belts, but you could also try 15mm or something thinner. You're looking at $20-$100 per tread depending on width and length of the belt.

Here's a nice tool for sizing belts and pulleys: B&B Manufacturing Belt Calculator

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by DavisDad

Here's a nice tool for sizing belts and pulleys: B&B Manufacturing Belt Calculator

That's a nice one. My favorite is the SDP-SI one. Just another option.