How to mount driven axles

[BenB]

Last year our team used 4" diameter wheels and the bumper zone was 2.5"-8". We were able to mount the bumpers above our axles, so we were able to mount our axles using collars on the inside and outside of the frame.

This year, the wheels are larger and the bumper zone is shorter, so we will have to mount the bumpers on top of axles. Using a collar would interfere with the bumpers (unless we added standoffs).

Does anyone have any suggestions how to mount a driven axle that minimizes the amount it protrudes the outside of the frame?

I have attached a picture of last years driven axle mount. Any pictures or links would be appriciated, Im a visual learner.

Thanks

[Dick Linn]

You could use a circlip (snap ring) instead of a shaft collar. You may also be able to use that or a shaft collar inside the frame rails, depending on clearance and bearing setup.

[markulrich]

We're also using the 2009 KoP drive base and wondering if we can have the shaft collars stick out and cut holes into the bumpers; it's what we did last year, but technically the back of the bumper isn't in front of where a string would be wrapped around the robot if the string was wrapped at the exact height of the shaft collars.

[Jared Russell]

you can always use pillar blocks on top of your frame structure.

[Dick Linn]

Originally Posted by Abwehr

you can always use pillar blocks on top of your frame structure.

I've always liked that method if the ground clearance & etc. allowed it. Never did find a reasonable source of lightweight pillow block ball bearings, though...