Good drivetrains observed

[jpyro]

When we were at the wisconson regional, no need to brag, but our robot with a 6 wheel sticky wheel drive train encountered one or two robots that we couldnt push. What does everyone think about the drivetrains that are doing good.
i.e. omni, 4x4, 6x6, ect

[Ian Curtis]

1138. They pushed us up the ramp. Sideways. And our robot is a six wheel drive with 4" wheels covered in roughtop tread. They even pushed 40 around when their traction plates were down. The traction plates were 16" square covered in tread (can't remember which kind). Yeah, talk about sick drives.

[Dan Petrovic]

Omni-directional drives are possibly the worst idea for this year. Well, it was a good idea at the beginning but once you get to competition, it's not that great.

This game calls for a strong bot. Not a maneuverable bot. 6x6 seems to be the best idea this year. Although, turning is hindered a bit, how maneuverable of a bot do you need to be? This year is all about traction and being able to get up the ramp which is exactly what 6x6 gets you.

[Jeff K.]

Originally Posted by iCurtis

1138. The pushed us up the ramp. Sideways. And our robot is a six wheel drive with 4" wheels covered in roughtop tread. They even pushed 40 around when their traction plates were down. The traction plates were 16" square covered in tread (can't remember which kind). Yeah, talk about sick drives.

Haha thanks a lot Ian. We had built one heck of a strong defensive robot and that led us to the win at SoCal.
We had been able to stop a lot of teams at SoCal, such as 599, 330, and also 968 during a qualifying match, which later went on to become our alliance leader. 968 you guys RAWC.

We had a 2 speed 6WD using the AndyMark 2 speeds. Thank you ANDY BAKER for such a robust gearbox that gave us absolutely no problems during competition. We used the IFI Traction wheels, 6" diameter and 2" wide. After the finals at SoCal, our treads were really worn down, so we're going to change them at Nats.

[Dan Petrovic]

Originally Posted by Stonefan5271138

We had a 2 speed 6WD using the AndyMark 2 speeds. Thank you ANDY BAKER for such a robust gearbox that gave us absolutely no problems during competition. We used the IFI Traction wheels, 6" diameter and 2" wide. After the finals at SoCal, our treads were really worn down, so we're going to change them at Nats.

Way to tell everyone your secret!

We used our own 2 speed 4x4. Front 2 Omni wheels with rubber rollers, rear 2 mountainboard wheels. We are replacing the mountain board wheels with 8" IFI Traction wheels. Our 2 speeds in the past have been able to push everything we come across and there's no reason behind why we shouldn't be able to this year.

[Jeff K.]

Originally Posted by InfernoX14

Way to tell everyone your secret!

It's not the drivetrain that got it...
It's the technique. *taps on noggin*
lol

But drivetrain sure did help get from point a to point b and push other robots from point a to point b.

968 also had a very clean drivetrain that was very fast and also very torquey when they needed it to be. I heard someone once say:
"They don't need a clear ramp, they make their own."

330 also had a very sturdy drivetrain at SoCal and had been able to push around some robots quite a bit.

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by InfernoX14

Omni-directional drives are possibly the worst idea for this year. Well, it was a good idea at the beginning but once you get to competition, it's not that great.

This game calls for a strong bot. Not a maneuverable bot. 6x6 seems to be the best idea this year. Although, turning is hindered a bit, how maneuverable of a bot do you need to be? This year is all about traction and being able to get up the ramp which is exactly what 6x6 gets you.

I wouldn't go as far as saying that maneuverable drivetrains are a bad idea. 1261's swerve drive was fast and dangerous in Peachtree and allowed them to be the #1 seed and win the regional, with very few teams able to stop their scoring. Other teams, such as 357, have had similar results with maneuverable drivetrains. It all depends on how you approach the game challenge, namely how fast and from where on the field are you shooting.

As for some impressive drivetrains this year that I have seen:

1261 had a slick swerve drive. 4 wheels each driven by a small CIM, with the front and the back rotated independantly by window motors. During a qualification match, they managed to get from their opponents ramp, all the way across the field, and onto their ramp in about 3 or 4 seconds. They actually CAUGHT AIR when coming off of the opponent's ramp. Additionally, because of the swerve drive, they could adjust their position on the top of the ramp to easily allow alliance partners to get on the ramp.

343. I don't know why, but we couldn't push em (and we could push just about everyone! ).

[Arefin Bari]

Speaking of drive train... you can't forget team 61. For the first time they used wheels and oh man the power on that thing is unbelievable. They pushed everyone around at the Florida regonal. Team 190 also had a good drive train. I think team 61 and team 190's defense was most effective at the Florida regional.

[Dan Petrovic]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

I wouldn't go as far as saying that maneuverable drivetrains are a bad idea. 1261's swerve drive was fast and dangerous in Peachtree and allowed them to be the #1 seed and win the regional, with very few teams able to stop their scoring. Other teams, such as 357, have had similar results with maneuverable drivetrains. It all depends on how you approach the game challenge, namely how fast and from where on the field are you shooting.

Yeah, you have a point. Since, swerve drives can use rubber wheels they are an exception.

I was thinking more along the lines of mecanum and holonomic drive systems where the only option you get are plastic, or similar low traction material, wheels.

40 compensated for that low traction-ness of their wheels with a traction plate. However, they tried to push and get up the ramp where traction is half of the battle.

I'm not saying they are a bad idea all together. Last year they were a great idea. This year, where defense is much more important than previous years, mecanum/holonomic drives aren't the best way to go.

[sanddrag]

I think wide robots robots drive nicely. None of that high current draw and bouncing while turning. A robot that can turn nicely is a good thing to have.

[Dan Petrovic]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

I think wide robots robots drive nicely. None of that high current draw and bouncing while turning. A robot that can turn nicely is a good thing to have.

We went with a wide robot this year and it is a decision I regret making. Although, they turn nicely, it's a lot easier to topple over when driving. You really have to pay attention to CG when designing a wide robot.

With a long robot, there are ways to keep yourself from rocking back and forth while still getting the traction you need.

Rubber Omni-wheels

[Rohith Surampudi]

well we ran an 8 wheel drive chassis on trucks...guaranteed 6 wheels on ground at all times, even on the ramp.

Team 75S inventor/design website

[DaveA412]

we also pushed team 40 around when they had their traction plates on we can push anything wherever we want it i can take anyone to taco bell and back we have a mark 2 speed transmission with 2 sky and 2 pneumatic wheels and it makes us like arnold schwartsnendjndjbjbfvbger

[chaoticprout]

Originally Posted by DaveA412

we also pushed team 40 around when they had their traction plates on we can push anything wherever we want it i can take anyone to taco bell and back we have a mark 2 speed transmission with 2 sky and 2 pneumatic wheels and it makes us like arnold schwartsnendjndjbjbfvbger

o.O

[Andrew Blair]

Originally Posted by DaveA412

we also pushed team 40 around when they had their traction plates on we can push anything wherever we want it i can take anyone to taco bell and back we have a mark 2 speed transmission with 2 sky and 2 pneumatic wheels and it makes us like arnold schwartsnendjndjbjbfvbger

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.........Sorry...Whew.. That was just a little too outrageous...I'm okay now.