Chain contacting BUMP

[Al Skierkiewicz]

More than just R08 is this...

G26> ARENA Damage - ROBOTS may not damage any part of the ARENA or BALLS. For ROBOTS that violate this rule, the TEAM may be required to take corrective action (such as eliminating sharp edges, removing the damaging MECHANISM, and/or re-inspection) before the ROBOT will be allowed to compete in subsequent MATCHES. Violation: Potential Disablement if the Head Referee determines that further damage is likely to occur

Lubricants left on the field, damage to the carpet, etc., comes under this rule.

[RRLedford]

Whether you have a chain or a belt, a tensioning idler scheme is HIGHLY advised, so why not place this in the middle underside of the chain/belt wrap, pulling upward there to help clear bump corners? This way it handles two issues for you - carpet protection and keeping chain/belt taught, yet yielding to overloads.
BTW, the EXTREME linear tension stress levels developed when a taught, no-idler chain/belt gets bashed in the middle by the bump corners at high speed is a great way to break them, and/or some other weaker component in your drive system. We are talking as much 100-fold type of leverage here when a 90 degree force hits a chain/belt under full tension with no elasticity provided by an idler mechanism.

-RRLedford

[dclark]

Where do you suggest we can buy industrial grade roller chain

[ebarker]

you already have an industrial grade .#35 roller chain. McMaster-Carr has more

[fuzzy1718]

easiest thing to do is to cut a piece of delren (plastic that is self lubricating) rod and use it as a tensioner to lift the chain up. We attached this to the inner and outer rails of our chassis under our chain runs and it did the trick.

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by fuzzy1718

easiest thing to do is to cut a piece of delren (plastic that is self lubricating) rod and use it as a tensioner to lift the chain up. We attached this to the inner and outer rails of our chassis under our chain runs and it did the trick.

Josh! Stop giving away our secrets! . You left off that we drilled the hole off center on the delrin so we use it as a a type of cam (turn the delrin a little to tighten the chain).