pic: Spotted at IRI: New AM wheel (2)

[DarkFlame145]

Looks nice, I hope they will work just as well as the IFI high traction, which i really liked

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by DarkFlame145

Bacon used a pair at Mission Mayhem and the tread kept falling out (couldn't cut the tread 100% right) and the lip that holds the tread in broke in 2 places on one side.

This is the first feedback we have heard. Can you provide more details? (pictures, how it happened, etc.)

Andy B.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Vikesrock

Make a mark across the tread and wheel with a Sharpie? This is obviously not the most precise of methods as it will not be able to determine how much slipping occurs if it is greater than 360 degrees, but it would be a start at least.

EDIT: I just realized that this question may not be asking how to actually perform the test but rather if someone has or could perform the test. If it is the latter, ignore my comment.

Terribly worded on my part....

What I meant is can someone who has these wheels perform such a test.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Terribly worded on my part....

What I meant is can someone who has these wheels perform such a test.

We will put these wheels to the test Saturday morning but having these wheels in my hand I can tell you there is no way the tread will spin on the wheel. The tread is gripped tightly on the sides.

If a failure is going to happen it will be the tread coming off not spinning.

We have one tread cut just a couple mm's short and my guess is that that wheel will more than likely fail. The others that have no gaps between the ends seam very secure.

We will see.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by IndySam

We will put these wheels to the test Saturday morning but having these wheels in my hand I can tell you there is no way the tread will spin on the wheel. The tread is gripped tightly on the sides.

If a failure is going to happen it will be the tread coming off not spinning.

We have one tread cut just a couple mm's short and my guess is that that wheel will more than likely fail. The others that have no gaps between the ends seam very secure.

We will see.

I hope they don't fail as well, but there could be a couple hundred pounds of force (depending on gearing, wheel diameter and tread CoF) trying to get them to slip.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by IndySam

The others that have no gaps between the ends seam very secure.

A very nice typo-induced pun. I like it.

[Bob Steele]

We were using this on our prototype and had slippage of the tread with the wheel. We were pushing very hard....low gear on a special transmission with two cims through a DeWalt transmission and running in the lowest gear.

The tread was wedged only and not riveted.

We were testing this on actual game carpet...looking at static friction and also pushing objects around the field.

this is a six wheel drive train with Kit wheels in the four outer positions and the plaction wheels on the direct driven motors in the middle. (West Coast drive train..)

The tread pulled up (sort of "bubbled" up...) at the point where it comes together ... we are using AM Wedgetop tread...

We are continuing to test.... and we just ordered 4 more plaction wheels to replace the kit wheels on the corners...

thanks
R

[camtunkpa]

222 ran these wheels through three competitions and two sets of tread. After our first hybrid of trying to push the wall with the plaction wheels we decided to rivet the tread on. Since riveting we had nothing but good luck! Kudos to Andy and Mark for these wheels!

[IndySam]

We had the same trouble in testing. We just used a little epoxy on the ends of the tread and had zero trouble at the CAGE match.

Unless the GDC throws us a curve ball we will be using these wheels this season.