Treads, Tracks, Tank system Talk/Help

[commodoredl]

Tank steering is a control method in which the two sides of the drive train can be controlled with independent joysticks. It allows for turning without having to stop moving forward, and is an alternative to just a single stick steering choice.

Tank treads can be used in a tank drive, which is just the drive train.

[spazdemon548]

Also, Tank steering is also known as skid steer.

[UndergroundVoid]

Yeah i started realizing that error in my writing and started to use tracks in place of tank since like most first robots that use a tank drive with either wheels or tracks.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by IndySam

I would love to do a tank design using links like a real tank and the rollers from an AM 6" mecanum wheel mounted sideways. Kind of like a omni tread. Or maybe even a few rubber links spaced in the tread to help give a little resistance to sideways pushing.

Somebody tried that experimentally.

[Mr.Rush]

I at one point had a detailed plan drawn up for our little four tread mecanum drive. The one issue I ran into was the one mentioned in the pictures comments, The lack of a simple and reliable way to join the link/rollers together. I never did make it to the prototyping phase due to the lack of materials and funds.

[deviltech]

Hey guys, my team is researching new drive systems and my group is doing the tread/tank drive system. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone would give me lots of tips and information on how to design such a system. If you could give me some sites to look at to get some more ideas that would be greatly appreciated. I especially would like to know what types and suppliers of belts/treads have been used in the past and which ones are the best to use. Thanks.