pic: drivetrain idea (comments please)

[jason701802]

loading photo ...

[Rich Kressly]

looks very similar to what 1712 did last year ...
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/29579
1/8" was the center wheel drop we settled on and we were very happy about the performance of our drive train. Some say 1/16" may not be enough drop, but I've never actually seen it to verify.

[AdamHeard]

I'm assuming you mean 1x2 aluminum extrusion. 1/16" or 1/8" wall thickness? Is it all rectangular extrusion, or is some of that C channel (I can't tell from the picture). How is it fastened together?

As for the driveline, what do the chain runs look like, how are they tensioned?

[wilsonmw04]

What's your final gear reduction off the tranny?

[jason701802]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

I'm assuming you mean 1x2 aluminum extrusion. 1/16" or 1/8" wall thickness? Is it all rectangular extrusion, or is some of that C channel (I can't tell from the picture). How is it fastened together?

As for the driveline, what do the chain runs look like, how are they tensioned?

It's 1/8 in wall thickness, all rectangular extrusion, and it's welded together. (is C channel stong enough to replace some of it with.) My idea for the chain run was to have one chain around the rear and middle wheels and the gearbox sprocket on the inside of the wheels. With another chain going up to the front from the middle wheel on the outside. Not sure how its tensioned jet.

[kajeevan]

For us 1/8in drop has worked very well though 1/16in was never attempted.

Questions: will you be supporting your toughbox further or is that it. second why use such a big sprocket when you can use a much smaller one

[jason701802]

Originally Posted by kajeevan

Questions: will you be supporting your toughbox further or is that it. second why use such a big sprocket when you can use a much smaller one

side note: this will only be the second time that we have used wheels (we have used tracks) and are still new to wheels.

It will use the same mount that came in last years kit, a diagonal support. the sprockets are mostly for looks and the gear ratio will depend on our strategy in the next game.

[JOhnch181]

We used c-channel last year and it was plenty strong. we also only used angle stock on the ends and plywood as a base to provide lateral strength.

We had no problems except a pent angle stock in the front from the collisions but it was no big deal with the plywood behind it.

[R.C.]

If you have the machining capabilities and if you are going to use 1/8 inch tubes, look at loosing weight by drilling holes or pocketing by cncing. Weight matters and the drivetrain looks pretty nice. I'll get back to you on the tensioners, I have some in the making right now.

[=Martin=Taylor=]

Originally Posted by jason701802

side note: this will only be the second time that we have used wheels (we have used tracks) and are still new to wheels.

What!? No more treads!? Blasphemy!

I'll admit the ol' 753 design didn't seem to help teams 997 or 668 this year, but they've won lots of regionals over the years...

As for the drop, I've found that 0" with two omnis works best... But that's just me

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by Hachiban VIII

What!? No more treads!? Blasphemy!

I'll admit the ol' 753 design didn't seem to help teams 997 or 668 this year, but they've won lots of regionals over the years...

As for the drop, I've found that 0" with two omnis works best... But that's just me

Yeah, the tracks didn't help 997, we bearly lost at Davis. The two omni's in the front works really well and the 1024, the Kilabytes, had a lot of success this season with it. The only thing is with omni's is that you lose a tad bit of pushing power. If you want to do the drop with 6 traction wheels, every drivetrain is different. So different drops are needed. But the general idea is that only 4 wheels touch the ground at one point in time. If you want the drop to be adjustable, try this:

It worked really well on our offseason robot. The top is CNC'ed into the frame and the second part bolts on.

[Miner]

If you use center traction wheels. Definitly make sure that your outer wheels will slide. Like omni...

[sdcantrell56]

As long as your frame is stiff, you will be perfectly fine with 1/8" drop. You can use 6 traction wheels with this and you will be able to turn well and have great pushing power. If you want to use omni wheels then you do not want any drop at all. I am a fan of all traction wheels for more power and so that all of the wheels are the same for replacing them if something goes wrong. Either way you go just remember it is either a drop of the center wheel with all traction wheels or omnis with no drop, never both.

[Nuttyman54]

1/8" is a pretty standard drop, and should drive just fine. I also echo the recommendation to us C channel where you can to save weight. The front and the back rails are especially good candidates for that, and you could also use them on the inner driveline rails if you do it right.

If you have the capability, direct drive to one of the wheel pairs (typically the center pair) is a great option. I don't know if you can do that with the KOP gearboxes, but one less chain means less weight, and also ensures that you can still drive, even if you throw all your chains.

[Tom Line]

Are you planning on running the chain between the middle and rear wheel then up and over the tranny? If so, I would be concerned about the chain wrap on the transmission gear and how much tension you'll need to keep it from skipping. That looks like maybe 60 degrees of wrap.