Chain Tensioners

[Jeff K.]

Originally Posted by lukevanoort

Eventually I had to ditch the design because we needed four tensioners. (Can anybody guess what we're doing? Hint: not omni)

OO oo pick me Possibly Mechanum? We still have to try running it on the floor over a period of time with the tensioners to see how they do, which we will on Wednesday. We didn't really consider the chain sliding sideways, didn't have much of a problem when we had it propped up on the table. Oh well, we'll see.

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by Stonefan5271138

OO oo pick me Possibly Mechanum?

I wish. Maybe next year...

[richwong]

We use elastomer tension rings from McMaster-Carr (p/n: 5896K1). They work great and are simple to install (just put it between the chain). See attached image...

[Dick Linn]

Those tensioning rings are slick. Too bad they cost so much! At that price, the special polymer must be made from unobtanium.

[King Bob]

We made a tensioner for our 05' bot. We just used a skateboard wheel on a piece of metal which was attatched to the frame and a spring keeping the tension. We just used scrap parts from our school so it was cheap and pretty easy to make. I'll try to get a picture up soon.

[Leo 1529]

we are just using bolts to tension our chain but we want to use something on top of the bolts...

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by Leo 1529

we are just using bolts to tension our chain but we want to use something on top of the bolts...

Be careful, metal on metal contact is not a good thing. Ideally you'd use idlers, but if you can't at least put a piece of PVC around the bolt.

[greencactus3]

Originally Posted by Dick Linn

Those tensioning rings are slick. Too bad they cost so much! At that price, the special polymer must be made from unobtanium.

i dunno if thats allowed... its not fair you can generate electricity from friction...

and we cant use them because of clearance issues.
weve had success in th past with no active tensioners. we have slots in our wheel bearing pillows. and we just slide them to the perfect tension. then crank on the bolts.

[Dick Linn]

If our design permits, we either slide or place shims under the motor/gearbox assembly. This year, the initial tension worked out perfectly with no shims or half links or anything. How unsual is that!

[edthegeek]

I know what type of tensioner you are talking about. Google "Roll-On Tensioner". It's this rubber sprocket that tensions and dampens vibrations. We have neve used it, but ive heard that its good suff.