pic: Phoenix 703 "almost done"

[MattB703]

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[Jeff K.]

Nice robot. Sweet drivetrain, tank style. Just wondering, how much does it all come out to and how well does it turn?

[roboguy #1]

dig the treads sweet.

[MattB703]

Originally Posted by Stonefan5271138

Nice robot. Sweet drivetrain, tank style. Just wondering, how much does it all come out to and how well does it turn?

Currently we are at 94lbs. We plan to take a couple more pounds out of the lift assembly. This will be my first time in 6 years of FIRST robots that I have worked on a robot that needed to add ballast!

[Cory]

Looks great guys.

One suggestion, and since you want to add weight, it's even easier. I'd add another bar across the middle of the bot, like the one towards the front, just so you dont have another robot grabbing inside your bot at your electronics, or a tetra falling on them, etc. It'd help move some more weight to the back, add balast, and protect electronics

[Andy A.]

If you got weight to kill, consider adding some bumpers. They can make a huge difference to the longevity of your bot (and others!).

More cushion for the pushin!

-Andy

[Conor Ryan]

looks pretty strong, a solid robot. Why did you go with treads? Just curious.

[Jeff K.]

Originally Posted by MattB703

Currently we are at 94lbs. We plan to take a couple more pounds out of the lift assembly. This will be my first time in 6 years of FIRST robots that I have worked on a robot that needed to add ballast!

Ya cool...but one question...just how well does it turn??? I've seen other robots with threads and when they turned, they went to near stall because they worked too well at getting traction.

[Kyle Love]

Originally Posted by Cory

Looks great guys.

One suggestion, and since you want to add weight, it's even easier. I'd add another bar across the middle of the bot, like the one towards the front, just so you dont have another robot grabbing inside your bot at your electronics, or a tetra falling on them, etc. It'd help move some more weight to the back, add balast, and protect electronics

This may be pointing out the obvious, but if you put on a second bar make sure not to cover up the battery area...maybe put one on the back and in front of the battery... Lexan never hurts either

[MattB703]

We will be gaurding everything with Lexan sheet.

We have been using the same treads for several years. They work great for us. We don't have any problem turning.

[Denman]

Originally Posted by Andy A.

If you got weight to kill, consider adding some bumpers. They can make a huge difference to the longevity of your bot (and others!).

More cushion for the pushin!

-Andy

and more GP
not that GP to smash other robots up to be honest... and if you get a reputation for doing it, the judges will watch you carefully, and you might get penalised if you are too agressive.

[Shu Song]

Originally Posted by Stonefan5271138

Ya cool...but one question...just how well does it turn??? I've seen other robots with threads and when they turned, they went to near stall because they worked too well at getting traction.

With a good enough gear box, turning with treads is a piece of cake. Our bot had tank treads last year and we turned seamlessly. But this year, using the KOP tranny and having tank treads, turning is a pain(both to watch and to listen to). We have another tranny in making but it is unclear as to if it will be finished in time.

[MattB703]

The KOP gearbox is geared much higher (faster) than we normally use. Try gearing down your final stage. You may gain a lot of control with little or no decrease in actual speed.

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by MattB703

Try gearing down your final stage. You may gain a lot of control with little or no decrease in actual speed.

And just to add/clarify why this might work is the theory that a motor that is geared "high" is currently getting "bogged down", will probably run about the same speed as a motor that is geared "low" because the "low" geared motor will not get (as) "bogged down"