pic: New Drive System for 703

[cbale2000]

Originally Posted by Po-ser

I think "Holy moly!!" about sums it up.

Do update and tells us how it drives once you hook it up. Also, once you figure out all of the numbers, could you tell me how much more it would weigh than your tread drive train?

That's really something.

I don't know the exact numbers but I believe someone mentioned it was a little under than twice the weight of our previous drive systems. I'll get the exact numbers as soon as I can.

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

i am very impressed and that does not happen often. One way i have noticed to drastically reduce weight is to go lexan wheels. Get a big block of it and make the wheels, 1126 has been doing that for a few years and the base gets better and better every year.

We thought of something like that but we decided we didn't want to compromise the integrity of the wheels. We figured we could get away with drilling holes in the wheels and gears plus we plan to extensively use Carbon Fiber composites.

Originally Posted by Reaper40

Won’t the wheels take more power?

We suspected it probably would however our initial tests have shown us otherwise. It actually appears to take less effort than our previous tread drives!

[Cowmankoza]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

i am very impressed and that does not happen often. One way i have noticed to drastically reduce weight is to go lexan wheels. Get a big block of it and make the wheels, 1126 has been doing that for a few years and the base gets better and better every year.

Our team uses UHWM (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polypropolyne), our sponser stocks various sizes (such as the 4" round stock we use), we cut blanks the thickness we want the wheels and toss 'em on a cnc to get the desired hub pattern, our wheel weight with sprockets and tread are roughly .4 pounds apiece

[Jonathan Norris]

WOW...
and I loved your drive system last year, the 6 motor drive tank drive was really nice. But this is just WOW, I hope it works well for you guys this year, my only concern is the weight of 14 wheels. Great work once again from the 703 folks.

[Éowyn]

Niiiiiicccee...

[AdamHeard]

What was your reasoning for the extra wheels besides being cool?

[POLISH703]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

What was your reasoning for the extra wheels besides being cool?

We really like to avoid using chains or belts. So with the extra wheels were able to gear all of them together. Also we like having all the benefits of tank treads like we did last year.

[Lil' Lavery]

Reminds me of 1057's 12 wheel drive from last year.
http://invisiblerobot.com/robotics/r.../p3187037.html
http://invisiblerobot.com/robotics/r.../p3187045.html

[AV_guy007]

wow! that looks nice
what motor combinations have you tested/are planing to use with it?

[Ericgehrken]

Almost as much grip as tracks minus the breaking of belts. I think it's a new record for FIRST as in most drive wheels on a robot.

[Conor Ryan]

Fantastic job, I'm awe struck and I can't wait to see it drive.

A few questions:

• Why 14 Wheels?
• How much do they weigh each?
• What are your projected Speed/Torque numbers?
• What's the turn radius?

Keep up the good work, the set up reminds me of a similar dilema in military tank design. The US Army sees the future with Treads, the British think that wheels should replace treads. Looks like you guys have your choice made up.

[Kati_Kat]

I must say, we done did good! lol i'm proud of my team!

[cbale2000]

Well. I can explain the "Why 14 wheels question" the others I'll have to get back with you on.

Basically with 14 wheels we can gear them all together, keep about the same size profile for our chassis as previous years, and having 7 wheels on each side gives us one in the middle we can use for a pivot point to help with turning (very common with good tread designs).

We've actually found that this has more traction than our tracks in previous years.


I'll post more info as soon as I can get it.



For more pictures of our robot and other stuff we're up to, please visit our website at: http://www.team703.com

[Graham Donaldson]

That looks like a tank...without the tread...(in long drawn-out voice) AWESOME...

Now if only you had done that last year with a shooter...that would have been cool... (in excited little kid voice) and then you coulda made it fire really fast, and made it fire at people, and made it into a little box, that looks like a real tank- MOMMY I WANT ONE!!!!!

Awesome guys. That'll be cool to watch drive around. The "turn on a dime" might be useful depending on your strategy in the game... it's like having a mecanum drive, without having a mecanum drive...

[Gabe]

This is definately something new. If it proves itself on the game field then their will be a new class of robots to talk about, the superdrive class.
This is really novel, since teams don't usually attempt to go beyond eight wheels and after that they go with treads. If I see it in action then I will definately consider it for next year.

[Ryan Dognaux]

I think that might be a record for most wheels on a drive, though I could be wrong.

That's awesome, I can't wait to see how this actually performs. Way to do something besides the norm

How do you guys plan on driving these wheels? I'm looking at the picture and I have to say it's making me highly interested with no motors or any of that at this point.