Traction

[LittleDave]

What is everyone planing on using for traction? We have an awsome two speed coustom built motorcycle style tranny for the Chippys but im worried that our two 6inch dia 3 inch wide wheels wont provide enough traction and start to slip
Things to keep in mind: F=uN (formula for force of friction) notice no variable for surface area!

[kacz100]

Sounds odd but we are considering using the old classic wheel chair wheels that have been in the kit forever! Go figure our design?

[Joe Johnson]

F=uN is only an approximation...

More than that, carpet damage may be some team's limiting factor. In this case, surface area is huge.

Just food for thought.

Joe J.

[AdamT]

Us? We're using a high surface area mechanism *it's a secret soon to be released* with a coating of Neopreme conveyor belt. Great stuff. We have about 16 sq. inches of surface area for each side of the secret mechanism. This thing is a beast. More to come...

[LittleDave]

That Neoprene Belt you speak of... i think we are and have been using the same stuff on our wheels for years... its from mcmaster car correct?

[Stacy]

Thumbs up to Neoprene Timing Belt!! We just ordered it and I can't wait for it to come in. We ordered 1" wide with a 3/8" pitch, throw in a few little nails....oh man...

Does anyone else have any suggestions for wheels with A LOT of traction?? Is anyone making their own wheels, and if so, would you mind telling me out of what? (we're trying to make 2-3 sets of different wheels, and everythings interchangable )

[AdamT]

I'll Private Message you.....

Littledave....yup, the same. Great stuff. 122 I think uses that stuff almost every year. We just decided to order a material for traction instead of making it ourselves...

[Ed Sparks]

Too much traction can be a baaaaaddddd thing too depending on what drive system you've chosen.

Don't forget, stalled motors become high current toasters at full voltage.

-and-

Tank tread designs need some slip in order to turn.


I hate the smell of burning motors on competition morning .......


Better get a line on some spares!

[AdamT]

I can attest to that!!! Last year we had really cool and hard to build treads. The only problem, is that we had no slippage. So, we'd try and make a hard turn and the fuse would break and it'd take a second to go again. We even just forgot about getting the goals, we couldn't turn with them. This year's is much better. You'll see....

[thedillybar]

Are you planning on shifting on-the-fly? Would anyone that's trying this be willing to post drawings or explain how you're doing it? I believe team 67 was showing off their pneumatic-powered transmission last year but I can't remember how it worked.

Thanks.

[LittleDave]

In our tranny we can shift while moving we just have to write into the program to stop the chippys while the valve fires. I dont have the drawings for the tranny, one of our mentors designed it from scratch and built it in 2 weeks, under 10 lbs a peice and 2 speeds aprox 3 and 12 fps. It is a continous mesh motorcycle syle transmission. Thats all i can say right now. And to connect to the atwoods a shaft was put over them with the exact cut out of the teeth in it.

[AdamT]

We won't really shift "one the fly" because we're changing between going 9 fps to 1 fps. Big change....

[Neill Means]

Question: If we use regular "belt" (not timing belt) that is cut apart and glued to a flat surfaces (i.e. a flat plate), is this now allowed in the rules?

There has been some considerable talk and rule changes.
I know the "timing belt" restrictions have been changed, but
I was wondering if the initial "belt" usage restrictions of "any length, any type" has been changed since the kickoff.


Neill Means
Team #933

[thedillybar]

Belt - Any type, any length

This is still in the Additional Hardware List. Timing belts are included.

we are using the neoprene CUSHIONING that comes in the mats...we used it last year..stuff is unstoppable..wait u'll see