Chain Drive Question

[Biff]

Originally Posted by maclaren

Yeah that's true weight is allows a problem in first however that is also why you follow good engineering practices.

Just for the person that posted the picture of their teams robot using short section of chains. AVOID CAST IRON LIKE THE PLAUGE and you will save at least 1-2 lbs per bearing.

The best way to remove weight is to go to aluminum axles and and fixed axles with live wheels. It takes a little effort but could give you at least 5-8 lbs back out of your drive train. Also the wheels will be easy to install, remove, and repair.

Like that idea, we considered it but could not figure out a way to get the sprockets attached to the live wheels, Skyway had a bike wheel that was close but it had a coster break installed and was to large anyway. Had to go with the live axles. Last year we got cantiliverd (sp) axles bent, this year we over compensated. We just finished a design in inventor for a 45 tooth #35 chain Aluminum sprocket, With out the weld that holds the hub on inventor says weight is .317lbs or 5.072 oz our target was 6 oz or less.