4 inch Wheel of Doom

[R.C.]

This is one of our new 4 wheels that we are testing out for the upcoming season. It uses the AndyMark sprocket bolt pattern. The material used for this wheel is HDPE and we are going to make a 7068 aluminum copy of this. The software used for this wheel is Solidworks and MasterCAM. SO what do you guys think?

[R.C.]

added pics!

[sanddrag]

Why are you considering making it out of 7068? That would be rather expensive. Is there some reason 6061 won't suffice?

[Cory]

7068 is a waste of money. I'd hate to even think about how much it'd cost for 4+" round, or 4+" plate even.

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by Cory

7068 is a waste of money. I'd hate to even think about how much it'd cost for 4+" round, or 4+" plate even.

Last year a company in madera went from using aluminum to titanium. So they gave us 20 6ft. of 2x2 and 1x2 aluminum and all the rod stock they had. That inlcuded 3030, 6061, 2024 and 7068. So we are using it since itz free. No other reason guys.

[IKE]

what is your tractive surface plan? Lots of other custom wheels have a lip on the rim for adding lateral support to rough top. What are your plans?

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by rc_cola1323

Last year a company in madera went from using aluminum to titanium. So they gave us 20 6ft. of 2x2 and 1x2 aluminum and all the rod stock they had. That inlcuded 3030, 6061, 2024 and 7068. So we are using it since itz free. No other reason guys.

If that was the case, personally I'd sell almost all of the 7068 and use that money to buy 6061 (or 5052*).

* For sheet metal applications.

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by rc_cola1323

Last year a company in madera went from using aluminum to titanium. So they gave us 20 6ft. of 2x2 and 1x2 aluminum and all the rod stock they had. That inlcuded 3030, 6061, 2024 and 7068. So we are using it since itz free. No other reason guys.

It may be free in terms of what you are paying, but it does still count against your BOM budget. I don't know if your team usually comes close to spending that much on the robot each year or not (my team hasn't been very close yet) but it is something to keep in mind.

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by Vikesrock

It may be free in terms of what you are paying, but it does still count against your BOM budget. I don't know if your team usually comes close to spending that much on the robot each year or not (my team hasn't been very close yet) but it is something to keep in mind.

We are usually under the BOM budget, btw Art that is a good idea.

Out of curiosity, why would you even go with aluminum if you have that much material on the wheel? Aluminum is much stronger than teams give it credit for, especially when used in circles for a wheel-type application. You could easily take out about half that material and still be plenty strong.

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by Speedfiend

Out of curiosity, why would you even go with aluminum if you have that much material on the wheel? Aluminum is much stronger than teams give it credit for, especially when used in circles for a wheel-type application. You could easily take out about half that material and still be plenty strong.

Really, right now i have in the middle a quarter of an inch and on each side a 1/8 face extra on each side, how much more do you wanna lose??

Originally Posted by rc_cola1323

Really, right now i have in the middle a quarter of an inch and on each side a 1/8 face extra on each side, how much more do you wanna lose??

Looking through CD media, there's a few examples. For example, one team's wheel that I saw had an enormous amount of material taken out of it. I'm sure you could PM the creator and find out how the wheel performed.

[Akash Rastogi]

[jk] Don't set your sight on a new wheel design just yet rc, as Bill said. Knowing Dave, the robot this year won't even require wheels [/jk]

Originally Posted by lilstogi11

[jk] Don't set your sight on a new wheel design just yet rc, as Bill said. Knowing Dave, the robot this year won't even require wheels [/jk]

I could honestly see stairs (or at least ramps) coming back into play. It's been far too long with a smooth, uneventful flat playing surface.

[R.C.]

Lightbulb, pnuematic casters.