Has 6 wheeled designs surpased tank treads

[Wetzel]

116 used a tank design in 99 to climb the puck. It was used again in 2001 to be able to go over the 4x4 but under the bar.


Tank drive was used as a function of the design.
Last year was four wheel drive, with large wheels to get up to the bar. Function of the design.



Stratagy drives design, not features.
Wetzel

[Tytus Gerrish]

small little story:

my legoleague team #2883 competed in a competition with there very complex robot with tank traads. the thing is awesom but it never goes straight no matter what you do and the kids get nervous and due to its complexity they wasted alot of time durring the match in setup.

now they've changed to a 6-wheel drive with the center wheels lowered. and only 1 moterised moving part beyond that a very simple thing. and it GOES STRAIGHT! i think in their next competition they are going to do much better

[Tom Bottiglieri]

Originally Posted by Tytus Gerrish

small little story:

my legoleague team #2883 competed in a competition with there very complex robot with tank traads. the thing is awesom but it never goes straight no matter what you do and the kids get nervous and due to its complexity they wasted alot of time durring the match in setup.

now they've changed to a 6-wheel drive with the center wheels lowered. and only 1 moterised moving part beyond that a very simple thing. and it GOES STRAIGHT! i think in their next competition they are going to do much better

As has been stated before, designs are just as complicated and efficient as you make them. In my teams case, we have been successful with treads. Other teams have been successful with 6 wheel drive.. I dont believe either one is "better".

Tytus brings up a good point.. In his Lego league team's undertakings, 6 wheel drive has been superior to the treads. This is not because treads are a horrible idea and 6 wheel drive is much better, it is simply because that teams design and method of construction may have been different from that which would make "the perect system"

[greencactus3]

Originally Posted by Tom Bottiglieri

As has been stated before, designs are just as complicated and efficient as you make them. In my teams case, we have been successful with treads. Other teams have been successful with 6 wheel drive. I dont believe either one is "better". Tytus brings up a good point. In his Lego league team's undertakings, 6 wheel drive has been superior to the treads. This is not because treads are a horrible idea and 6 wheel drive is much better, it is simply because that teams design and method of construction may have been flawed.

and also in the case of lego, most tires you would want to use have flat surfaces. the rubber lego tread has a taper (is that what you call it?) on the sides, so it will turn better on carpet but on hard surfaces will not help the tread stay flat to the floor. the some lego tires are wide too. which have more scrub when turning so helps keep the robot move in a straight line.

[crazykid234]

This year team 234 used the tank design mostly because it allowed us to fly over the six in. steps. again, the game dictates the design.

[Paul Copioli]

All you tank tread lovers, educate me on the following things:


1. Show me the math that shows tank treads have better pushing force (traction) than a wheeled design.

2. While doing number 1, assume whatever tread material you use for the tank tread can be wrapped around a wheel.

3. Leaving the obstacles out of the equation (stairs, ramps, etc.), why do certain vehicles have tank tread designs (tanks, excavators, snow mobiles, etc.)?

4. Again, leaving obstacles out of the equation; what advantages are there for FIRST robots to use treads? If you say pushing force, or traction; then prove it with math/physics.

I look forward to the range of answers.