pic: attachment chain tread

[Jeremytice]

This is awsome. It's my first time that I have seen anything like that. Looks like a sweet idea.

[Stephen.Yanczura]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

W

middle lowered idler of 1/4".

Andy B.

x2

I can't stress enough how much this helps a tank tread design in maneuverability.

[Billfred]

I like the concept--if I were to try treads, this would probably be the way.

That said, I'm having a bit of trouble finding attachment chain. I can get the individual links from McMaster-Carr (at about $1.85 each--ouch!), and I can't seem to find them anywhere on Stock Drive Products. Any leads on where to get these things a bit cheaper and/or together?

[skimoose]

Originally Posted by Billfred

I like the concept--if I were to try treads, this would probably be the way.

That said, I'm having a bit of trouble finding attachment chain. I can get the individual links from McMaster-Carr (at about $1.85 each--ouch!), and I can't seem to find them anywhere on Stock Drive Products. Any leads on where to get these things a bit cheaper and/or together?

An alternate solution would be to use table-top or flat-top conveyor chain from McMaster. Comes in Delrin and stainless (if you can spare the weight) and they have drive sprockets, too.

Or... another interesting conveyor product is Intralox. It has been used on several large scale RC tanks. RC tanks with paintball guns for main armaments and Wi-Fi cameras - how sweet is that! I've thought about building one with a Vex controller!!

I've really thought about trying it out to see how durable Intralox would be for FRC competition. Here's a great summary of using Intralox 900 series to build a sweet WWII German JgPz 38(t) Hetzer, but I'd look at the 800 series it's a little stronger.

[Gabe]

I saw some tracks links that seem to have very good traction. The rubber is soft, like pencil eraser rubber, and at 2 inches wide (3 inch option also available) that is a very attractive idea. Called Lynxmotion Tracks, they're for sale at the RobotShop.

http://www.robotshop.ca/home/product...ck-trk-01.html

[Greg Needel]

Originally Posted by Gabe

I saw some tracks links that seem to have very good traction. The rubber is soft, like pencil eraser rubber, and at 2 inches wide (3 inch option also available) that is a very attractive idea. Called Lynxmotion Tracks, they're for sale at the RobotShop.

http://www.robotshop.ca/home/product...ck-trk-01.html

These look interesting, I would just be worried about the ability to transmit torque as they are just plastic, although if they could handle the loads. The weight of these would be really beneficial.

With these it would be also necessary for the center idler to be offset to allow turning, as the rubber would provide too much traction on it's own.

[Chris Fultz]

In 2002, we made a full set (2 sides) of a chain / tank drive. We used chain with the angle attachment on each side of each link, bent aluminum plate, and had about .75 x 1 wide metal treads. We attached each of these small plates to the roller chain with a tiny nut and bolt.

We purchased the fully assembled chain, but made the treads.

It sounded awesome when it ran, but it chewed up carpet and was incredibly heavy - it never made it onto the robot.

I think we have a bit of it in the lab - if i can find a section i will post it.