Let's make it easier for the rookies

[archiver]

Posted by Kit Gerhart, Other on team #45, TechnoKats, from Kokomo High School and Delphi Delco Electronics Systems.

Posted on 5/14/99 9:28 PM MST


In Reply to: the aweful truth about drill transmissions... posted by Joe Johnson on 5/13/99 7:22 PM MST:



We have used the drill transmissions for the four years
I have been on our team, and with generally good results.
We have connected to the output of the gear boxes with a
sleave having the same thread as the gear box output, and
then 'pinned' with an 8-32 bolt. This year we even had
a gear shift using the servos to move the shifting fork.
We used software to apply minimal power to the motors to
make sure the gear boxes were engaged before returning to
normal operation.

The ~3/1 ratio of high to low gear ratios is a wider range
than would be optimum for our purposes, but for us at least,
it was better than using only one ratio. We were able to
get to the puck quickly in high gear and then shift to low
to push the puck, defend, or whatever. If the transmissions
are securely in gear, they are very reliable. We have only
broken one in my four years if FIRST.

Also, the drill cases, if everything is aligned well, are a
good way to hold the motor and transmission and take the torque
reaction. This year we did not use the drill cases, but
mainly to save space.