pic: FRC 1771 Drivetrain

[sdcantrell56]

Yeah I will look into cutting weight out of the frame. As for the wheels, I really want to go custom for a lot of reasons. Primarily we can get the exact size we want (5"), they are also keyed for hex shaft without a hub, and finally they are way cheaper as the material to make 12 wheels only costs ~$70. The wheels will of course be treaded with roughtop or wedgetop. I guess I am primarily asking for the durability of the actual uhmw portion of the wheel and if we go this route we will probably have a full set of spares with us at all times

[=Martin=Taylor=]

Originally Posted by sdcantrell56

Yeah I will look into cutting weight out of the frame. As for the wheels, I really want to go custom for a lot of reasons. Primarily we can get the exact size we want (5"), they are also keyed for hex shaft without a hub, and finally they are way cheaper as the material to make 12 wheels only costs ~$70. The wheels will of course be treaded with roughtop or wedgetop. I guess I am primarily asking for the durability of the actual uhmw portion of the wheel and if we go this route we will probably have a full set of spares with us at all times

I'm worried about hex-broaching plastic. Doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Might want to go with some of those Al AM hubs.... or wheels....


For the record you CAN buy 5" plastic wheels for less than $70.

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by Hachiban VIII

I'm worried about hex-broaching plastic. Doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Might want to go with some of those Al AM hubs.... or wheels....


For the record you CAN buy 5" plastic wheels for less than $70.

Yeah, I agree with Hachiban. Hexing UHMW is harsh, our capitan put ball bearings in them and it worked fine, but hexing is a different story. Where can you get 5 inch plastic wheels???

[s_forbes]

The frame looks great, nice and simple, and the bumper mounts are a very clever approach. I'd avoid cheese-holing it if I were you... It's already very light! Just put as much thought into your mechanisms as you did into this drivetrain and you won't have any weight problem at all.

And belts are awesome!

Originally Posted by rc_cola1323

Yeah, I agree with Hachiban. Hexing UHMW is harsh, our capitan put ball bearings in them and it worked fine, but hexing is a different story. Where can you get 5 inch plastic wheels???

$6-7 a piece (about $15 each if you get them with aluminum hubs):
http://banebots.com/c/WHB-HS6-498

[sdcantrell56]

Those wheels are definitely worth a look however I am going for something with a bit more traction (roughtop). I am also debating doing a finesse version of this one using custom omni wheels in the corners and a center traction wheel plus single speed. I just finished my single speed and with it I have gotten this drivetrain under 30lbs (~29.5)