Improved Mecanum Wheels

[Adam Richards]

Originally Posted by dlavery

Oh? Why?


-dave

Dave, don't be mean to people who haven't already read the technical specs for this year's water game. It's not our fault we aren't on the game design committee.

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by Adam Richards

Dave, don't be mean to people who haven't already read the technical specs for this year's water game. It's not our fault we aren't on the game design committee.

Admittedly, a bit tongue-in-cheek. But not entirely. There are multiple layers of real questions embedded in that simple little two-word interrogatory. Not all questions, and not all data, are obvious.

-dave

p.s. if you reacted quickly like some and think that the original question means "hey, don't use Mechanum wheels this year" then you haven't looked deep enough.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by dlavery

Admittedly, a bit tongue-in-cheek. But not entirely. There are multiple layers of real questions embedded in that simple little two-word interrogatory. Not all questions, and not all data, are obvious.

-dave

I think what Dave is trying to say is that it might not be the best decision to arbitrarily choose what drive system you want to use, before having any clue what the robot needs to do.

[mechanicalbrain]

Originally Posted by Cory

I think what Dave is trying to say is that it might not be the best decision to arbitrarily choose what drive system you want to use, before having any clue what the robot needs to do.

I agree, but I think we'll stick with our mecanum propellers for this years water game! Seriously though, what are the major disadvantages? My team is looking at these and I figure ill take advantage of other's experiences.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by mechanicalbrain

I agree, but I think we'll stick with our mecanum propellers for this years water game! Seriously though, what are the major disadvantages? My team is looking at these and I figure ill take advantage of other's experiences.

Not much of a point in using them if the game doesn't require manueverability.

Or if there are obstacles that you need to climb.

They won't necessarily be bad for a given game.

But why build a swerve drive if the kitbot will serve your purposes just as well?

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by mechanicalbrain

Seriously though, what are the major disadvantages? My team is looking at these and I figure ill take advantage of other's experiences.

I can think of two major disadvantages, one mid-level technical issue which can range from trivial to showstopper, and quite a lot of little details.

The disadvantages: some of the mechanical power available from the motors is lost to sideways motion of the rollers, so the robot won't be able to push as hard; and it doesn't work well at all unless all four wheels are solidly in contact with the ground.

The technical issue is the control system and software. That's very easy in concept, but might quickly get more difficult depending on how good your programming and system engineering can be.

Details of wheel size, roller mounting, speed sensors, traction, drivetrain, etc. will probably make doing it more of an art than a science unless you've done it before.