Drivetrain First Thoughts?

[BJC]

Actually, in this game EVERYTHING matters. I say that because this is one of those games where for the most part everyone will be able to do everything. What matters is being able to do it better. With this in mind, better means you need to place more tubes than others (aka. you need to be faster.) In the end the teams that excel will be those that took the extra time to shave off seconds from their tube handling process (from the ground/ feeder to peg). The drivetrain is also a huge part of this. If your drivetrain is unreliable you won't be able to excel.

[RMS11]

2415 is considering going with a non tank drive system for the first time this year. In the tight quarters of both the scoring zone and the lane, we want the ability to maneuver around defense, both strafing and turning.

[mcrawford]

Originally Posted by BJC

Actually, in this game EVERYTHING matters. I say that because this is one of those games where for the most part everyone will be able to do everything. What matters is being able to do it better. With this in mind, better means you need to place more tubes than others (aka. you need to be faster.) In the end the teams that excel will be those that took the extra time to shave off seconds from their tube handling process (from the ground/ feeder to peg). The drivetrain is also a huge part of this. If your drivetrain is unreliable you won't be able to excel.

Everything does matter and if the max is scored of 158, the minibots are worth 32% and 68% for scoring tubes. The best option for drive trains is mecanum because of the maneuverability and being able to move to each of the different pegs left to right with out having to turn. I think it is going to be really hard to be fast just because the robots will constantly get in the way of each other making high speeds fairly dangerous if you hit another robot that is also going full speed. Also unlike last year robots aren't competing against the same objects.

[MrForbes]

6wd would never work for hanging tubes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p05UsZMKd8I

[Cyberphil]

Personally, I think speed is the main factor here. Although mecanum is maneuverable, I have a feeling that it is not ideal.

The faster you get across the field, the more pieces you can hang. Period. I think everyone can agree with that.

I have a prediction that all but maybe one of the robots on Einstein will have a 6wd, or 8wd, dropped center. Look at 2007....

http://www.thebluealliance.net/tbatv/event/2007cmp

[Chris is me]

Six wheel drive is my first thought.

[Matt H.]

In this game, the benefits of mechanum/omni/swerve are most pronounced when considering a manipulator that can only hang tubes on pegs directly in front of the robot.

If your robot's manipulator can hang tubes on pegs not directly in front of the robot, then tank style drive should be sufficient.

Personally, I would keep the drive train simple.

[Cyberphil]

Originally Posted by Matt H.

If your robot's manipulator can hang tubes on pegs not directly in front of the robot, then tank style drive should be sufficient.
.

Why wouldn't you just turn towards the peg with a 6wd system? That would probably be faster than adjusting your manipulator and would make your robot significantly more simple. Like I said in a previous thread, look at 2007. All of the robots on Einstein had very simple, fast claws. They were not necessarily the most complicated. In fact, none of the robots had articulating arms (rotating arm on base).

[kerrigan93]

Originally Posted by squirrel

6wd would never work for hanging tubes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p05UsZMKd8I

Didn't most if not all of the finals robots from 2007 have 6w drive?

[Tom Line]

Yes, most bots were long 6 wheel in '07. However, there was an added issue: to be a good robot you had to be able to ramp easily, and most ramps couldn't handle bots in a wide configuration.

[davidthefat]

Have you guys realized that there were no height limitations during the game? that means technically if we can physically do it, we can make a 15 ft robot? Now what is the physical limit of the height before it become unstable? Now its some calculation with torque or something, but unfortunately I got an F on that test...

[robodude03]

Originally Posted by kerrigan93

Didn't most if not all of the finals robots from 2007 have 6w drive?

I believe Squirrel was making a point regarding the 6wd being sufficient for the game as the video shows his team doing fairly well in placing tubes.

[theprgramerdude]

What gearing ratio would you use this year? The kit of parts uses CIMple Boxes now, instead of the tough boxes, meaning we suddenly have a 4.67 ratio instead of the usual 12.75... While this may not be a big deal to veteran teams, I think the rookies that use it will end up creating bullet-speed projectiles launching all over the field.

[liam.larkin]

Cyberphil I am shocked you would not consider MECHANIUM........Figured 103 would be locked on that for sure.

As Mickey from Rocky said "WE NEED FAST GREASE LIGHTING ITALIAN SPEED"

Speed and manuverablility is the key here. Additionally, mechanum makes it easy on your programmers gives them that "shuffle/crap" ability to get in line with your target and if built correctly provides for tremendous speed. For those who want to pin; cant pin a mechanum they always have a way out. SPEED SPEED SPEED and did I mention SPEED.

[MrForbes]

But you sure can block a mecanum.....the ZONE is not very wide....