pic: 222 3 speed closeup/cutaway

[dan 322]

Originally Posted by Joe Johnson

I hate to say this because I think I am only adding fuel to the fire* but... ...I like it!

The part I like best is your method of transfering the torque via the balls. Very elegant.

Nice job.

Joe J.

*I have discussed in many posts that I question whether all this shift on the fly mania (yes, I say mania) is worth the bother when you consider that you can make a relatively robust transmission shifter with a standard drill gearbox and servo.

The only thing that has me thinking is Jim Zondag's 4 speed with automatic shifting (and I suppose your 3 speed would work about as well). Perhaps there is a game where such things make sense. I am still pretty much for simplifying things, but perhaps I was too hasty to close my mind. Time will tell...

Awesome design, but I have to agree with Joe.......seems like the simplest & most robust robot always wins. We had an awesome 3 speed planetary gear, shift on the fly tranny two years ago. Debug period was horrible, but once we got it fixed it was great. I just hate wasting a regional to debugg. ROBUST, ROBUST and ROBUST if you want to win. If not, at least have a lot spared parts pre-made and assembled for quick change.