Drive Train Components: the inner working parts of a drive train

[naruto137]

So call me a noob but I am just wondering, what are the ways in which you can use components to drive your robot besides just using direct motor to wheel drive and what and why are the advantageous? (ie chains, gearboxes, etc)

I am mainly wondering about not the various drive trains, but the different components that can be used in the drive train, like how exactly gearboxes can be used, the types and such and how they would be advantageous, or how gears can be configured in a certain way and how that would help, or anything else like that.

Thanks!

[EricH]

Other than direct drive? Well, I can only think of three or four.

Chain drive: run a chain to a sprocket that is attached to the wheel(s) you want to drive. It's a reliable connection if done right, and there's some "give" in the system.

Belt drive: See chain drive, but watch out for slipping. It's a little lighter.

Tank treads: Can put the tread through the gearbox if you want.

Gear drive: use gears instead of chains to link the wheels. Team 25 is one of the "expert" teams on doing this, IIRC.

As for the components and their uses, use your imagination.

Also, you might try searching for drivetrains, gearboxes, transmissions, and similar things both in the forums and in CD-Media.

[logicalyrandom]

Not FIRST specific, but this site is a great resource for drive train info. Should give you the info you want.

[Ice Berg]

Here a two of the main places teams get pre-made gearboxes:

http://banebots.com/c/GEARBOX-PLAN

http://andymark.biz/amshifters.html

both of these sites provide gearboxes that are compatible with the CIM motors.