Rhino track failier?

[pilleya]

It's a new product this year and as with any new product there are going to be problems. Especially for a complicated system like a tank tread system, teams spend many seasons and off-seasons trying to perfect their design. It seems that the pulleys, are the same type of material as the Hi-grip wheels, and there is barely any material to cushion any impacts. With the impacts that tank treads will receive in this years game, it seems that maybe plastic just isn't fit for this purpose and maybe Aluminium Pulleys would be better( at a significant monetary cost).

I'm sure that the guys at Andymark, are doing their best to find a solution to this problem.

It seems that due to the dead axle design, it would be quite simple and quick to change out broken pulleys, especially driven ones and replacements aren't too expensive either $8

[Kevin Sevcik]

Originally Posted by pilleya

It's a new product this year and as with any new product there are going to be problems. Especially for a complicated system like a tank tread system, teams spend many seasons and off-seasons trying to perfect their design. It seems that the pulleys, are the same type of material as the Hi-grip wheels, and there is barely any material to cushion any impacts. With the impacts that tank treads will receive in this years game, it seems that maybe plastic just isn't fit for this purpose and maybe Aluminium Pulleys would be better( at a significant monetary cost).

I'm sure that the guys at Andymark, are doing their best to find a solution to this problem.

Cyclical loading from tension in the belt? The HiGrip wheels obviously have constant contact with the carpet, but it would seem like the load on the pulleys would change slightly as the teeth engage and disengage. The counter argument is that AM sells 42-tooth HTD pulleys made out of the same stuff, but it seems like HTD profiles engage smoother than standard timing belt profiles.

[pilleya]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

Cyclical loading from tension in the belt? The HiGrip wheels obviously have constant contact with the carpet, but it would seem like the load on the pulleys would change slightly as the teeth engage and disengage. The counter argument is that AM sells 42-tooth HTD pulleys made out of the same stuff, but it seems like HTD profiles engage smoother than standard timing belt profiles.

The cyclical loading from the tension in the belt, would actually be very significant as during sharp acceleration the belt is in a way, trying to pull the pulley wheel towards it.

The belt is also steel-reinforced so there wouldn't be any stretch at all, and also the belt isn't going to slip. This isn't something that can be fixed by loosing off the belt tension either, because as soon as the belt is loosened, it'll be taken off by another robot extremely easily

[Kevin Sevcik]

Originally Posted by pilleya

The cyclical loading from the tension in the belt, would actually be very significant as during sharp acceleration the belt is in a way, trying to pull the pulley wheel towards it.

The belt is also steel-reinforced so there wouldn't be any stretch at all, and also the belt isn't going to slip. This isn't something that can be fixed by loosing off the belt tension either, because as soon as the belt is loosened, it'll be taken off by another robot extremely easily

Small point, but a steel reinforced belt has more stretch in it than, say, a fiberglass reinforced belt like the HTD belts used for other drives.

[pilleya]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

Small point, but a steel reinforced belt has more stretch in it than, say, a fiberglass reinforced belt like the HTD belts used for other drives.

That is actually really interesting, thanks! I sort of assumed that because something is "steel" reinforced, it is going to stretch less than a fibreglass or kevlar reinforced belt.

So if it is a steel reinforced belt then how can it be a spliced endless loop belt, surely the weak point would be the splice? It seems difficult to join the steel strands, while they are embedded in the belt, because any heat welding would melt the rubber belt. So it is a crimp or something that is used to join the strands?

[Kevin Sevcik]

Originally Posted by pilleya

That is actually really interesting, thanks! I sort of assumed that because something is "steel" reinforced, it is going to stretch less than a fibreglass or kevlar reinforced belt.

So if it is a steel reinforced belt then how can it be a spliced endless loop belt, surely the weak point would be the splice? It seems difficult to join the steel strands, while they are embedded in the belt, because any heat welding would melt the rubber belt. So it is a crimp or something that is used to join the strands?

I direct you to the Brecoflex page on their spliced belts. They say only about half the tension members carry the load through the spliced area.

[The Ginger]

the steel cable will stretch over time if under constant pressure, my team did some testing last night and as long as you cant pull the track off the system by yourself they should be fine. track tension is not the main source of the problem but over tightening is definitely not helpful. (PS has anyone actually contacted AM yet?)
-thanks

[MrBasse]

Do you have any fresh wheels to measure the bearing hole size prior to pressing a bearing in?

Since you have the problem I would reccomend that you contact Andymark so you can discuss the exact conditions that caused the failure. You are the team that knows the details and can answer questions as they are asked pertaining to the failure. That will be better and faster than another team searching for answers without having all the information in front of them.

[The Ginger]

My team is not meeting on Sundays but tomorrow i will make sure that we contact AM, i do not want to start negotiating without having the parts in Question in front of me.

[callmecairo]

We are talking about replacing them with aluminum. Glad we found it before any competitions! It makes me wonder about all the other teams using them who don't know or haven't had issues yet.

[Andy A.]

Originally Posted by MrBasse

Do you have any fresh wheels to measure the bearing hole size prior to pressing a bearing in?

For those that do, the CAD model on AM website indicates a 1.124" bore with no draft.

Anyone want to place bets on the tool maker deciding to put a draft on that bore without telling anyone at Andymark?

[MrBasse]

Originally Posted by Andy A.

For those that do, the CAD model on AM website indicates a 1.124" bore with no draft.

Anyone want to place bets on the tool maker deciding to put a draft on that bore without telling anyone at Andymark?

That was my thought when I posted that... it should be noticeable if it's there. What's a standard draft? In college we did 2.5 degrees, but we were a bunch of noobs when it came to making a mold.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Andy A.

For those that do, the CAD model on AM website indicates a 1.124" bore with no draft.

Anyone want to place bets on the tool maker deciding to put a draft on that bore without telling anyone at Andymark?

The layout print calls out that bore diameter as 1.1249 - 1.1254. Tight tolerance for a plastic molded part. Good fit range for a 1.125 bearing if the tolerance is held.

[BoilerMentor]

I wonder about the fillet at the bottom of the bearing pocket in conjunction with clamping loads from a traditional dead shaft configuration.

[Kevin Sevcik]

Thought I'd do some research, since I recall similar problems:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84560&page=3&highlight=wheel+crac king
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ht=wheel+crack
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...wheel+cracking

Most of the reports were from heavy shock loading from running into the old rock-wall like bump. Some were from applying loctite, which as noted in this thread, eats polycarb alive. Some reports were from over-tightening sprocket or assembly bolts. I think atleast one person blamed killing plaction wheels on hammering/forcing bearing into the wheel instead of hand pushing them in and stopping wherever they tightened up.

Not saying any of these are the are the actual solution, just putting it up to inform the speculation.