pic: Track System

Well, I've been listening to the people who may actually consider buying transmissions once we swing into gear to sell them, and so I've designed another one (Did it in the last hour. I got bored and inspired, and have mad CAD skillage....). The new one has a low speed of 4 fps, and a high of 10. Drivers will most likely stay in high gear most of the time, and when they hit a pushing match, they will shift down to be able to torque.

[pakratt1991]

Well, I've been listening to the people who may actually consider buying transmissions once we swing into gear to sell them, and so I've designed another one (Did it in the last hour. I got bored and inspired, and have mad CAD skillage....). The new one has a low speed of 4 fps, and a high of 10. Drivers will most likely stay in high gear most of the time, and when they hit a pushing match, they will shift down to be able to torque.

This was going to be one of my suggestions to Sam for next year, Just change the final gear ratio so that when we need to push, we can push anyone, and in high gear we don't flail around trying to drive something that is too fast, 4:1 and 10:1 sound perfect to me

Also, the cost for the entire thing is only $1,200. The belts alone are 300 apiece so 1/2 of what a team would pay would be for the belts alone. For the quality of and time put into this drive train it is well worth the $1,200

[Alpha 997]

Originally Posted by 114ManualLabor

Well, I've been listening to the people who may actually consider buying transmissions once we swing into gear to sell them, and so I've designed another one (Did it in the last hour. I got bored and inspired, and have mad CAD skillage....). The new one has a low speed of 4 fps, and a high of 10. Drivers will most likely stay in high gear most of the time, and when they hit a pushing match, they will shift down to be able to torque.

4fps still might be too high for pushing. 3 or 2 fps would ensure victory in a pushing match. 10 fps sounds about right. If the robot is not top heavy. 15 fps, like 254 had, would be sweet.

A slight sidebar from the normal topic... But take a look at a large majority of the threads that people post showing new and thought provoking ideas. Have you ever noticed that every single one of these threads de-evolves into a "this isn't legal, that isn't legal" type argument, and less of the true point of FIRST: actual design and engineering inspiration and learning? As a student, I've become very turned off to sharing my designs on here anymore. Don't expect to see them anymore. Seriously, if every time I post something like this, a rule discussion is held, then I'm just gonna give it up, because that's not what I here for.

Sidebar over, continue your normal discussion on the issue.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by 114ManualLabor

A slight sidebar from the normal topic... But take a look at a large majority of the threads that people post showing new and thought provoking ideas. Have you ever noticed that every single one of these threads de-evolves into a "this isn't legal, that isn't legal" type argument, and less of the true point of FIRST: actual design and engineering inspiration and learning? As a student, I've become very turned off to sharing my designs on here anymore. Don't expect to see them anymore. Seriously, if every time I post something like this, a rule discussion is held, then I'm just gonna give it up, because that's not what I here for.

Sidebar over, continue your normal discussion on the issue.

It's also about working within the predetermined rules and constraints.

If this isn't intended for FIRST, the rules change next season, or the price is lowered, then it is an awesome piece of work. Otherwise, it's just not legal.

Don't get me wrong immediately jumping to the legality of it; I admire a lot of the work you post and use a lot of it for inspiration.

[Travis Covington]

This has everything to do with the intent of selling them. When you invest or plan to invest that sort of money into (legally) selling these, then yes, I imagine you should listen to all of the comments being made regarding such things. Andy and Mark had some difficult hurdles that they had to jump over to make it in this business selling to FIRST teams... if you want to compete in that market, you HAVE GOT to address the same issues that they have... you can't create convinient loopholes and not expect a few (so far) harmless opinions to be voiced...

Originally Posted by Travis Covington

This has everything to do with the intent of selling them. When you invest or plan to invest that sort of money into (legally) selling these, then yes, I imagine you should listen to all of the comments being made regarding such things. Andy and Mark had some difficult hurdles that they had to jump over to make it in this business selling to FIRST teams... if you want to compete in that market, you HAVE GOT to address the same issues that they have... you can't create convinient loopholes and not expect a few (so far) harmless opinions to voiced...

The real point of that small sidebar was that this has a tendency to happen on just about every new and different idea or image that gets posted here.

I already realize the legality issues, as does Sam Shawe from outback, and we are working on finding a way to make the tracks legal.

[POLISH703]

My team has used tank treads since probaly 2004 - 2006. We really liked them and they worked great. We could turn on a dime, and usually come out on top of a pushing battle. I am pretty sure we had a good way of doing it. But...there is always the problem of treads breaking during a match, worst yet a elimiation round match. We were able to change one tread in a half hour under pressure. Thankfully this year we did away with the tank treads and used 14 wheeler design which I think works betters then our old design of tank treads. Next year we may use the same drivetrain idea but make it lighter and cheaper.