reusing drive design

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by Billfred

1293 started with window-motor drive in 2004, then progressed to kitbot-based 2WD, then this year went to 6WD with Skyways and IFIs.

Heh. We went from drill motors in '04 to kitbot 2WD last year to 6WD with 9x2 Skyway Beadloks this year. But then you are a much older team than we are...

[Donut]

We have used similar drive trains the past 2 years (6WD with 4 motor kit transmissions), the only changes being wheel position and sprocket size. 2 years ago though we had our 2WD and casters, and prior to that we had a series of 4WD that turned terribly.

Depending on how the off-season goes will determine what happens with the drive train next year. If we aren't using an almost identical one to the past 2 years then we will finally be trying a drive train without wheels.

[killerofkiller]

Since the begining SPAM has been using our evoultion of a Tank design. in 2004 we hung out on the limb and made a VERY sucsessful Holonomic drive. in 2005 we made used the dewalt gear boxes with a new 4 tread system. we reused it this year.

[GB330033]

Team 1255 started with a tread-based drive two years ago, kept the treads last year, and moved away from them to a 4WD this year. However, all three years the drives were structured for power over mobility. Anyone that saw us this year wouldn't dare call us an "agile" team, but when you can nearly push another robot onto your ramp at 3/4 power (missing one of 4 chains) then you know you've got a strong drive.

I'm graduating this year, but I'd like to think that the team will keep the defensive strategy that has served us well. That said, hopefully they will explore other 4WD setups (other trannies besides the kit), 6WD setups, and maybe delve back into the tread designs.