Motor/Drive Train Workshop: Comments Requested

[Jon Lawton]

Hello Everybody! The WRRF is already beginning to plan and organize workshops to be held at San Jose State University later this Fall. As one of the instructors for the Motor/Drive Train workshop, I am curious to hear what topics the users of the Chief Delphi Forums and members of the WRRF would be interested in, or would expect to hear about, in such a workshop. The most direct way for us to make our workshops better is to get input from people like you. Your comments are highly appreciated! I hope to see all of you at the WRRF workshops coming this Fall. Thank you very much.

[sanddrag]

Building a successful shifting drivetrain.

Omnidirectional drives (including crab)

[Cory]

I think there should be a basic drivetrain workshop for rookies, or teams with less resources, which would include a drill transmission, or maybe a servo shifting drill transmission. A dual motor shift on the fly transmission, or swerve drive workshop would also be very cool.

Cory

[James114]

having a working drive systems there during the work shop would be a good idea because just showing pictures isn't all ways enough.

[Clanat]

Preventing problems with drill motor transmissions.

[sanddrag]

Originally posted by Clanat
Preventing problems with drill motor transmissions.

(read: Not creating problems with drill motor transmissions)

I believe all the teams who had problems took theirs apart to modify them or for some other reason. We never touched ours from stock and we did not have any problems whatsoever through the smashing and bashing of two regionals and the JPL open house.

[hacksaw692]

I attended the drive train session last season and I remember the use of the Lego Technic motors. I thought that was really helpful. It allowed for the hands on interaction and allowed the students the ability to try it out themselves. The obstacle course I remember allowed for some challenge. Although it also became a distraction...

There was also a power point describing the different types of drive trains with pictures. For me, a visual picture isn't enough for me to understand it. It has to be tangible. I know that access to the different types of drive trains may be difficult, it's just a thought. I would especially like a look at a crab system, since that is the most difficult. It just may provide some inspiration for the rookies...

[kevin.li.rit]

I'd like to see some more Omni bots, I drool at the sight of omnibots

[Jon Lawton]

Originally posted by hacksaw692
[...]
For me, a visual picture isn't enough for me to understand it. It has to be tangible. I know that access to the different types of drive trains may be difficult, it's just a thought. I would especially like a look at a crab system, since that is the most difficult. It just may provide some inspiration for the rookies...

In that vein, are there other tangible examples, or "hands-on" experiences that people think would be valuable in the workshop? We're definitely going to structure the workshop to be more interactive and "hands-on" than previous years. Don't limit your responses by what already exists, instead, think about, "If you could have 'dream machines' or 'dream activities' at a motor / drive train work shop, what would they be?"

Thank you all for your replies! They are an invaluable part in the planning process. Please keep them coming!