Treads, Tracks, Tank system Talk/Help

[JesseK]

Originally Posted by IKE

I have no robot experience with tank treads, but most tractors used a single powersource into a differential with turning brakes. This is common on wheeled tractors too (they are often called plow brakes). Using the differential and side brakes essentially allows for torque vectoring and keeping from a stall condition. A couple of teams did this style of drive system this year to help with Car-style steering robots. This probably won't help with the side traction hopping, but it may help keep the current loads lower.

I watched a couple of shows on Discovery (one was JYW where their task was to build a tank) and I believe actual tanks used to be built the same way.

An idea I played around in CAD a few months ago took the 6WD rocking-style drive train and converted the front four wheels into tank treads. The design put most of the weight in the back so the 'bot never really rocked forward onto the treads, however the tank treads would greatly improve the ability to climb ramps. Maybe it's worth exploring, maybe not...I didn't have time to fully CAD it out and consider the possibilities.