Mystery Sprockets

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by aaeamdar

Here's my question: where can our team find more sprockets for the KoP wheels (the normal wheels contained in the kit)? We've looked on and off for the last week. We finally found something we thought would work, but the screw-holes didn't line up.

Is there a reason that you cannot drill a new bolt hole pattern in these parts? There are many, many sources for 24-tooth #35 roller chain sprockets. But for almost any application, you may need to do small amounts of post-purchase machining on a part to make it exactly fit the particular requirements of your design. You should be prepared to drill new bolt holes, broach keyways, enlarge the bore, remove the hub, or other minor tasks. You should not be trying to avoid modifying off-the-shelf parts to make them fit your need - you should be enjoying it. It is part of the creative, fun part of creating a new design.

Some have already commented that they are upset they cannot just purchase the exact part they need and bolt it on their robot. What ever happened to the idea that part of the challenge (and part of the fun) of FIRST was creating your own design out of raw materials? If we do nothing but rely on bolt-on solutions, then we are largely relying on the engineering efforts of others, and doing little true engineering of our own. And that, I submit, lessens the experience for all involved.

The real world does not go together like an Erector set. FIRST robots should not either.

-dave