Design is an Iterative Process

[Aren_Hill]

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz

1. We completed a test program to compare the pushing / pulling power of 4”, 6” and 8” wheels, in 1” and 2” widths. The intent was to give us (and other FRC teams) some data to support the decisions on which size of wheel to use. This testing is done. We are still analyzing the data and will publish the results when we have some conclusions. As sometimes happens in testing programs, the results are really different from what we expected and we are trying to understand what we have seen.

I am really curious to see this paper, we're currently in process on comparing a variety of wheels for static friction levels, all 3" due to what we had on hand,
gum rubber roughtop
nitrile roughtop
SBR roughtop
Colsons
Colsons with a tread pattern applied
all similar size 3" diameter around 7/8ths wide

It'd be nice to have some more data to look at, I like data

[Chris is me]

The wheel width data could settle the endless debate on traction versus surface area once and for all. It would be very interesting to hear the results on traction in addition to tread wear.

[Gregor]

Were these results ever posted anywhere?

[Chris Fultz]

Originally Posted by Gregor

Were these results ever posted anywhere?

No they were not. We never made any logical conclusions from the information and we did not post it. The plan is to repeat some of the testing and re-evaluate. Due to some mentor changes and other projects that came up, we were not able to repeat any of the work during 2012.

[cadandcookies]

I will be very excited to see the results! My team has also been considering doing some research on different wheel types during the offseason. It would be interesting to compare results, provided both studies happen, and are similar enough to be directly comparable.