2008 rookie needing help.

[Tack610]

Ok this is my first post so i must be doing something right. Right now we're working on wheels for our robot. We used the kitbot chassis and everything (you know cause we're rookies), but the wheels are stumping me. I have the gearbox's and motors attached, but I don't know how to:

A) attach the wheels to the gearbox/motor assembly, and
B) how attach all of that to the robot.

We're thinking of using the Chains but i dont know how to really connect anything. So in advance thanks from team 2413.

[Sunshine]

That's a tough question to answer without knowing more facts but:

most people use chains.

If you do use chains consider chain slippage and that you may have to use some type of chain tensioner.

The configuration depends on how many wheels and if it is front/rear/center wheel drive.

Make sure that all motors and chain sprockets are lined up to each other.

I would suggest that you do search of robot drawings from past competitions that can be found here or on the AutoCad web page called Firstbase

Good Luck and welcome aboard

[wilsonmw04]

Tack,
You are in the same position we were in last year. We we got the KOP in 2007 i thought everything i needed to make the robot "run" were in the two totes we picked up. I was sadly mistaken. The first thing i noticed was that there weren't axles in the kit, i think they fixed that this year with the 1/2" aluminum shaft in the kit this year. You can do several things to attach the wheels to the frame. Drill out holes to 1/2" and slide the axles through the holes. What we did was drill out the holes to 5/8" and use a flange bearing in each hole (see pics below). Using a chain to drive the wheels is a great idea. You will need to buy a "chain break" to get the chain to the length you need. You can get one at Lowe's for ~$22.00. While you are at Lowe's get a few "master links" so you can make a loop of chain for your drive.

Here is what we did last year:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/27588
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/27587

It's a 6-WD with two different chains on each side. This is not needed to get the 'bot running. As long as you can get power to at least one wheel on each side, you can get moving. You will be surprised at how awesome seeing your first robot move under its own power feels. We were cheering in the hallways the say ours moved for the first time.

[kevin.li.rit]

You can use a angle grinder as a substitute for a chain break.

[Sunshine]

No,

You do not break the chain, you remove the pin to take a link out.