Tank Treads

[Andrew.Jensen]

Hello, robotics community.

We have decided to use tank treads on our robot for the 2010 competition. However, we are having trouble finding a location to purchase them. Does anybody who has used tank treads in the past know about a website that would sell custom tank treads?

Thank you in advance,

Andrew Jensen :)

[FourPenguins]

You might try double-sided timing belt, which can be purchased from many places, including McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com)

[Andrew.Jensen]

Thanks! we have checked out this site already and we remember from past years some teams got custom built treads to match the exact size they needed do you happen to know this site?

[EricH]

A lot of people used to use brecoflex belts.

Outback Manufacturing would probably also have some.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by EricH

A lot of people used to use brecoflex belts.

Outback Manufacturing would probably also have some.

Outback is a machine shop. They order the belts for the drives they've made for teams that same places as everyone else.

Brecoflex belts are common in FRC and are expensive. Gates may also have something useful.

[thefro526]

Check out this link:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=60591

It's an old design by Craig Hickman, I'd suggest PM-ing him with any questions, I'm sure he'd be more than glad to help. (His user name is CraigHickman)

[Thermal]

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/28589

Heres some food for thought. Courtesy of my team 1293. This was our 2007 Robot Atlas.

[TimelessFate]

I think tank treads would be pretty epic. Kudos to the teams who use them.

[EncodersRUS]

The only problems with tanks would be getting over the humps if the treads aren't set up right....

[viperred396]

Originally Posted by EncodersRUS

The only problems with tanks would be getting over the humps if the treads aren't set up right....

Ya we think its a gamble but if it pays off it should help us a lot going over the humps hope it works >_< *crosses fingers*

[llama1719]

How about a half track?

[Andrew.Jensen]

Originally Posted by Thermal

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/28589

Heres some food for thought. Courtesy of my team 1293. This was our 2007 Robot Atlas.

That looks great! Do you remember where you obtained the treads from?

[freshrobotics]

I'd like to know if anyone has any suggestions on where to buy tank treads from McMasters or andy mark?

[Hadi379]

379 has had alot of success with tank treads. To my knowledge, we have never broken a tread, at worst, the material on the surface of the tread tends to take alot of abuse requiring a replacement to be on hand. Furthermore, we have always lowered our center idler wheel, which only allows about half of the tread to make contact with the floor and may cause a teeter totter action, but with a little better turning ability.