pic: 2605 Mecanum Drive

[holygrail]

Originally Posted by JamesCH95

To answer Ether's quiz - A will be superior to B in every performance metric he listed with the possible exception of pushing force, as that would depend greatly on the CoF of the wheels against whatever traction surface they're on.

In my opinion it is very poor design practice to limit motor voltage as a means of maximum speed control, especially when gearing options are so readily available. Not utilizing the motors' full speed capabilities handicaps the drive, which is arguably the most important system on every robot.

Two things:
1) A will be superior to B in most performance metrics EXCEPT for top speed. All the driver of B has to do is push a button and A is quickly left behind.

2) It is true that there are an abundance of gearing options including two speed gearboxes (which make no sense on a mecanum drive). The limiting of voltage is only used in this example when high speed maneuvers could be dangerous or strategically bad, like knocking over scored game pieces. I agree that it would be silly to limit voltage without the option of using 100% power, but that is not what we are talking about here.