pic: Mecanum 8 inch Iso

[suttonrc]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

If I recall correctly, the 2014 bumper rules required that the bumpers be backed/supported by the frame every so many inches (8?). I don't see any frame backing down the sides apart from the corners.

Good point. I left it open (in each design) as the bumper rules are a bit different from year to year. Depending on this year’s rules I could potentially mount stand offs on the side, between the rear wheel and the front motor, also potentially sideways within the chain loop or if necessary I could move everything in and put a full length member (or plate) on each side, but I would prefer not to if the rules allow it.

Originally Posted by 3175student17

If you post the CAD files online before kickoff you should be okay. I think I remember an annual flood of CAD designs being posted in the two weeks before kickoff in order to keep the legality.

I hope to have the CAD posted sometime tomorrow. Am I correct in thinking that Google Drive is the standard way of doing that?

Originally Posted by LeelandS

I like the design and I applaud your team's efforts to have some set designs ready for kick-off. Just remember you have to redesign the whole set-up after kick-off for it to be legal.

Just wanted to point out that when using Mecanum, you want to have an even weight distribution across all 4 wheels. It looks like most of your robot's weight is on the back wheels. This will cause your robot to strafe improperly (as if it were rotating around it's front). You can use a gyro to compensate for this rotation, but evenly spreading your weight is probably the easiest way to go.

Other than that, good job! I love all the designs you've put up.

As shown the drive base would definitely strife an arc. In the past though the mechanism, and game pieces (that we typically locate on the front) tends to involve a good amount of structure, motors, gearboxes etc. I'm thinking, picking up totes, climbing 3 rungs of a pyramid, shooting basketballs and a robotic arm to pick up inner tubes. They were all centrally located more or less in the front of the robot. The rear weight bias is intentional as in the past we've had issues falling over forward due to being too nose heavy after adding our upper structure.