Thoughts on the new AM14U 2014 KOP Drive train?

[Shu]

Originally Posted by Richard Wallace

The square configuration I was suggesting is not symmetrical fore-and-aft. I was thinking to get a (nearly) square chassis by cutting the side rails 2567 and 2572 on one end only. The resulting configuration has two wheelbases; one about 8.76 inch from the center wheel via the 131 tooth belt, and the other about 12.6 inch from the center wheel via the 170 tooth belt. Axle holes for the shorter span are at the same rail level as the center wheel (no drop), and those for the longer span are raised about 1/8" -- the result is a chassis that can tip just a bit on the center wheels, effectively a slight drop.

I'm sorry but we haven't got a chance to look at this in CAD yet but has anyone looked at making a square chassis by cutting ~2" off each end. I am sure this will require new belts but are the front/rear axle holes available for this. This keeps the front and rear wheebase the same.

[nixiebunny]

The AM14U is an excellent drive train for its ease of building and versatility. The belt drive is a winner.

We used a VersaChassis last year and spent a good bit of time dealing with chain tensioners and defective ball shifter transmissions. This one is too simple to go wrong! We built four of them (partially) in our rookie build session yesterday.

The square option is rather attractive for this game, even though it's not shown on the instruction manual. Just cut off one end and make the tub ~5" narrower.

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by nixiebunny

The AM14U is an excellent drive train for its ease of building and versatility. The belt drive is a winner.

We used a VersaChassis last year and spent a good bit of time dealing with chain tensioners and defective ball shifter transmissions. This one is too simple to go wrong! We built four of them (partially) in our rookie build session yesterday.

Are you thinking of the Drive in a Day? VersaChassis was just released this year.

The VersaChassis is entirely new and hasn't been used. Its been tested on multiple robots on the offseason and is a derivative of design from teams such as 254/968/973/1323/1538 etc...

If your interested in flexibility and ease of build. The VersaChassis allows you to do any size frame. Can use multiple gearboxes and any wheel on the VexPro site.

[valkyrie2240]

What do you guys think are the advantages/disadvantages of the AM14U versus last year's AndyMark KOP chassis?

[Chris_Ely]

Originally Posted by valkyrie2240

What do you guys think are the advantages/disadvantages of the AM14U versus last year's AndyMark KOP chassis?

The AM14U looks very easy to upgrade. AndyMark has some upgrade packages here.

[nixiebunny]

Originally Posted by R.C.

Are you thinking of the Drive in a Day? VersaChassis was just released this year.

Yes, I am thinking of Drive in a Day. It was definitely not a finished product.

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by Tem1514 Mentor

We put over 11 of the KOP drive together at a rookie quick build.
The new drive is 6 wheel drop centre and maybe configured in either a long or wide format. The mini tough box in also a low as is go without touching the ground so it makes for a very low CG. The two end tubs give you lots of room for all the electronics. Really nice design and a lot lighter that years before.

In the long configuration, the chassis is a drop center. In the wide configuration, the step files show that it is not a drop center.

[tickspe15]

One advantage of the 2014 chassis that we noticed building ours yesterday was that it is much easier disassembled than the previous kitbot. In the past we inorder to replace a gearbox or even worse wheels required loads of work. With the new chassis we just have to remove the outer plate to get access to the wheels

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Richard Wallace

Not essentially a mystery. We were told what type of drivetrain it would be, who would be designing it, and what the fundamental components would be.

[edit]@Tom: The square configuration is also a drop center.[/edit]

That's still a pretty large mystery. While I know and trust AndyMark, I prefer to have seen a drive system before I agree to buy it.

[nickcvet89]

Does anyone know what the size specs of the AM14U in the long and wide configurations? I can't seem to find it.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by nickcvet89

I can't seem to find it.

Did you look

here

?

[valkyrie2240]

Originally Posted by nickcvet89

Does anyone know what the size specs of the AM14U in the long and wide configurations? I can't seem to find it.

Check page 7 of http://files.andymark.com/AM14U_Asse...structions.pdf

[Coin3]

Originally Posted by Tom Line

In the long configuration, the chassis is a drop center. In the wide configuration, the step files show that it is not a drop center.

At first I thought this was a incorrect measurement, but it looks like you're right... the holes for the front and back wheels in the wide configuration are lowered down to the same level as the drive wheel. It must be on purpose. Perhaps they found the turning ability to be sufficient and decided against the tilt so that there's less chance of the robot tipping over.

[Peyton Yeung]

I may be a bit biased from my involvement in the AM14U but I really like how versatile the system is. It can accept many gearboxes and really allows for the quick changing of components to suit ones needs.

[pilum40]

Originally Posted by Tom Line

In the long configuration, the chassis is a drop center. In the wide configuration, the step files show that it is not a drop center.

I'm a bit concerned the frame won't be able to take the pounding this year since blocking/pinning is legal from the back line to back line. I've asked my team to think about strengthening and making the frame a little more stiff.