Belt-in-tube drive base

[Naveed Riaziat]

I would strongly advise against 3/8th hex in a drivetrain. Especially for a live axle set up, you really need the strength of half inch hex in my experience.

I have personally never had experience with belt in tube, but I can tell you that belt set ups are very touchy. Center distances and tension are crucial. You may be worried about servicing the belt in case one snaps if it is in tube. Chain is much more robust and forgiving, so it is more common to see such a system in tube. Again, I have never tried it, but with my experience with belt, I would proceed with caution. Consider specifically what you hope to accomplish over a typical belt drive, a typical chain drive, and a typical chain in tube drive.

Best of luck!

[Joey Milia]

9mm wide HTD belt will certainly not be strong enough. With proper tensioning 9mm wide GT2 profile might be enough if the robots center of gravity is low. 971 has extensive experience with 9mm belts so they will be able to fully explain 9mm belt's limitations. My recommendation if you want to push the sizing of belt in tube would be to use 15mm wide belt in 1.5"x2" tubing. 192 uses 15mm wide GT2 for our belt in tube drive, but HTD would probably work too if it was 15mm wide.

This is all assuming 5mm pitch belts.