pic: 6 wheel drive train concept picture one

[s_forbes]

Originally Posted by kinghashbrown

My intent is to tension the chains by spacing the white plastic off the 80/20 cross bars. I would like some feed back on that idea.

We have used what are effectively plastic blocks to tension our drive chains for the past four years without any issues. We usually use oil impregnated nylon, turned on a lathe so that it has a lip sticking up where the chain will ride over it. This way the chain rollers are supported rather than the connecting plates.

This method of tensioning can be seen clearly on our 2008 robot, here. In that photo you can also see the use of UHMW Polyethylene chain guides, purchased from McMaster.

I think it's worth noting that I was a little skeptical of plastic tensioners and guides at first, but after seeing our 2008 robot run around with its ridiculous serpentine wrapping of the chain and no noticeable drag in the drivetrain, all of my worries vanished.