Kitbot on Steroids 2.0

[marshall]

Conversation just happened with some students on my team and it got me thinking...

Some years ago, 1114 posted an excellent resource for many teams to help them turn the kitbot chassis into something far superior. So in the spirit of the Simbotics Kitbot on Steroids project, I'd like to propose an updated version of the project or at least pulling some suggestions together for struggling teams.

The kitbot has come a long way since then but it's still not the best it can be for every game so what minor alterations can you make to the kitbot this year to make it more effective in competition?

Right off, I think replacing the kitbot wheels with wheels that can take rough top blue nitrile tread turns the basic kitbot into a much more defensively capable robot. What other suggestions can folks come up with?

[ThaddeusMaximus]

Mounting. The new AM14Us are getting better about this but interfacing to things with them is still not as elegant as VEXpro stuff

[Jon Stratis]

With this game, perhaps the most important change many teams will do to the kitbot is open up the front to allow easier intake of fuel or gears. Figuring out an effective and easy way to appropriate brace the frame for such an intake is key to a successful design. Especially when you consider the number of mecanum conversion kits that appear to have been ordered from AndyMark, bracing the frame to keep it square and keep weight balanced is going to be key.

[Chris is me]

Change the gears out for Vex gears, put a plywood belly pan in and you're pretty much set, honestly.

I like switching to 4" wheels when possible to lower CG.

[Tom Line]

Vex Pro wheels with the versakey pattern, and vex pro sprockets. The vex pro wheels are far stronger than the comparable plaction wheels, and the versakey pattern addresses a long standing issue with bolts shearing off under high load when they are subjected to sprocket shear.

Other than that, the new kitbot frames are pretty good for a new team.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by ThaddeusMaximus

Mounting. The new AM14Us are getting better about this but interfacing to things with them is still not as elegant as VEXpro stuff

As (probably) the first AndyMark employee to reach this thread, I'd love to know what things you're having trouble interfacing. (No promises we'll fix it to your satisfaction, but we can't fight what we can't see.) If you don't want to say it here, PMs or an email to (my CD username)@andymark.com will get it on the radar.

I'll put out what Iron Kings are doing, with the preface that we're sponsored by AndyMark and 20 minutes from the warehouse. Your team may arrive at different conclusions.

4" black HiGrip wheels. 4" because they are cheaper and we wanted the inch above the chassis, black from testing other engineers (hi Danny...) have done on how the different compounds handle. We'll probably have to change out wheels once a day depending on final weight and how we drive it, but we have measures to be ready for that. This is a little advanced for a Kitbot on Steroids document, but we expect it to work well.
5.95:1 gearing. That puts us around 15 feet per second, which is up significantly from the stock 10. With the wide open field and expected sprints for gears, we knew we wanted top-end speed. If we somehow end up heavier than expected, we may walk this one back a little.
Cut the front end plate, add structure back. We're doing fuel, and we're not quite to the point of over-the-bumper intakes. We may use the COTS cross plate, not sure how some other things will shake out.
Plywood bellypan. With a good coat of paint, of course.

[wilsonmw04]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

With this game, perhaps the most important change many teams will do to the kitbot is open up the front to allow easier intake of fuel or gears. Figuring out an effective and easy way to appropriate brace the frame for such an intake is key to a successful design. Especially when you consider the number of mecanum conversion kits that appear to have been ordered from AndyMark, bracing the frame to keep it square and keep weight balanced is going to be key.

You mean this?

http://www.andymark.com/AM14U3-p/am-14u3-fro.htm

[marshall]

Got another one. Encoders. I can't imagine not having them on a robot these days. They make autonomous work a lot easier.

[Cothron Theiss]

The EVO shifter looks like a fantastic and easy to use product. But is shifting still a little too much for a Kitbot? Also, I'd be really interested to see an 8-wheel variant to the Kitbot on Steroids. If I come up with some more reasonable additions, I'll post them later.

[WesleyK]

Originally Posted by Cothron Theiss

The EVO shifter looks like a fantastic and easy to use product. But is shifting still a little too much for a Kitbot? Also, I'd be really interested to see an 8-wheel variant to the Kitbot on Steroids. If I come up with some more reasonable additions, I'll post them later.

Our team modified a am14u3 to hold a 3 Cim ball shifter with 8 inch wheels linked by 35# chain. With the amount of modifications we did to the KoP drive train we should have just opt out and went 100% custom

[mman1506]

Vex does provide this document which is similar to what your asking for detailing how to switch out the wheels and gearboxes for their ones https://content.vexrobotics.com/vexp...ive-System.pdf

[marshall]

Originally Posted by mman1506

Vex does provide this document which is similar to what your asking for detailing how to switch out the wheels and gearboxes for their ones https://content.vexrobotics.com/vexp...ive-System.pdf

Good find. I had completely forgotten that was out there.

[mastachyra]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

Change the gears out for Vex gears, put a plywood belly pan in and you're pretty much set, honestly.

I like switching to 4" wheels when possible to lower CG.

Why switch to aluminum Vex gears over steel AndyMark? I see Vex now has steel gears, but not in the sizes that might fit the Toughbox.

Just curious, have you seen this done? I assume the Vex gears wold have to machined down to 0.400" thickness to fit. Or maybe you meant replacing the whole gearbox.

Thanks

[marshall]

Originally Posted by mastachyra

Why switch to aluminum Vex gears over steel AndyMark? I see Vex now has steel gears, but not in the sizes that might fit the Toughbox.

Just curious, have you seen this done? I assume the Vex gears wold have to machined down to 0.400" thickness to fit. Or maybe you meant replacing the whole gearbox.

Thanks

I'm hesitant to use aluminum gears with a 6-CIM drivetrain after what we saw last year. It just seems to be asking for the aluminum gears to strip. 4-CIM is probably fine.

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by marshall

I'm hesitant to use aluminum gears with a 6-CIM drivetrain after what we saw last year. It just seems to be asking for the aluminum gears to strip. 4-CIM is probably fine.

We have seen significant wear on steel gears in a 6 cim drivetrain. We've seen aluminum gears wear out in 4 cim drivetrains. Unless you are desperate, or enjoy maintainance, the drive train is the last place your want to go for weight savings.