Drive Train War

[IKE]

I have thought for a few years that "fork-lift drive" would become a powerful drivetrain in FRC, but I have yet to see it take 0ff. This would be steerable rear wheels and fixed front wheels. The fixed wheels would utilize a two speed gearbox with a large spread, and the two rear swerve modules would be geared to match the faster gear.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by IKE

I have thought for a few years that "fork-lift drive" would become a powerful drivetrain in FRC, but I have yet to see it take 0ff. This would be steerable rear wheels and fixed front wheels. The fixed wheels would utilize a two speed gearbox with a large spread, and the two rear swerve modules would be geared to match the faster gear.

Didn't 67 run something similar in 2003?

[IKE]

Possibly. I don't know the 2003 67 robot.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by IKE

Possibly. I don't know the 2003 67 robot.

Here's a video of it. Its an interesting drive but I'm not sure how well it would lend to an open field. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0uC...tdA& index=34

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

Didn't 67 run something similar in 2003?

Not sure on 2003. But they did most recently in 2008.

I also believe that 16 only had one swerve module in their 2003? Robot. Hopefully John is lurking around and can confirm. I've got a pic of the module but I forgot to tag what year was what.

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

Not sure on 2003. But they did most recently in 2008.

I also believe that 16 only had one swerve module in their 2003? Robot. Hopefully John is lurking around and can confirm. I've got a pic of the module but I forgot to tag what year was what.

I apologize for the potato quality, but here is a picture of the Bomb Squad 2003 robot: http://i.imgur.com/388rL77.png

Taken from their 2012 unveil video. You can see two front wheels that appear to be non-swerve and a rear swerve module.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Andrew Lawrence

I apologize for the potato quality, but here is a picture of the Bomb Squad 2003 robot: http://i.imgur.com/388rL77.png

That thing was ridiculously quick on the turn and up the ramp in 2003 auton (first year that FRC had that, BTW) -- enough to make Andy Baker take notice when he posted an update from the St. Louis Regional on Friday. It was a kind of bootlegger turn; you know, with a fast swing at the rear. Scary to watch, and they always got to the bins first.

[Oblarg]

Originally Posted by IKE

I have thought for a few years that "fork-lift drive" would become a powerful drivetrain in FRC, but I have yet to see it take 0ff. This would be steerable rear wheels and fixed front wheels. The fixed wheels would utilize a two speed gearbox with a large spread, and the two rear swerve modules would be geared to match the faster gear.

Lots of added complexity, not much clear added utility over a tank drive.