Goig "wide" with the chassis

[Joe Finkel]

I like to know what is the teams opinion on pros(and one
of them is in update #2 drawing) and cons going wide.
We started our frame but debating.

[Tom Line]

Pro - you get double width to pick up a ball.

Con - you can't squeeze through smaller spaces.

Pro - 4 wheel wide turns itself more easily (fewer wheels, etc) shorter chains.

Con - short front to rear wheelbase on wide means it can rock at times.

[SWIM]

Originally Posted by Tom Line

Con - short front to rear wheelbase on wide means it can rock at times.

Unlikely, this year the 'bots will slide before they tip, unless they're incredibly top-heavy.

A wide body can effect the packaging for a shooter / ball storage, and reduce the amount of useful space for a hopper, depending on how you design all that.

[Mike8519]

The trailer also helps prevent any back and forth wobble

[Akash Rastogi]

All I can say is Do It.
You'll enjoy the results.

[Gdeaver]

If your main goal is to pick up balls from the floor, then going wide is the logical choice. Turning with 4 wheel tank drive is better. However, keep in mind just how difficult and time consuming chasing down balls can be.

[GarrettF2395]

The only thing I would be worried about with having a wide chassis is, the possibility of being more maneuverable then is necessary.
I haven't run the numbers on this but, the wide wheel base combined with the low friction surface may cause a "widebot" to slide more while performing a turn.
However, I do think it is one of the top chassis designs for this game.
Not necessarily the best, but by no means the worst either.

[Ziaholic]

Originally Posted by Mike8519

The trailer also helps prevent any back and forth wobble

Be careful how far you take that assumption. While the trailer does give you some down-force at the trailer hitch, and some lateral stability based on which side it might currently be Jack-Knifing ...

The end of the trailer tongue has a circular fitting in the square steel rod. It can rotate along this circular piece and NOT transfer rotational forces to the 'bot.

In other words, when/if the trailer ever tips completely over, the 'bot will not feel the rotational tipping forces at all.

[edit] Take a close look at the trailer drawing (GE-09000), page 3. The Trailer Tongue (Item #5, GE-09009), and the Hitch Swivel (Item #19, GE-09036)

[edit2] Then take a CLOSER look (as I apparently did NOT), and notice Item #50 clearly pinning that Hitch Swivel. ...and then disregard my mis-informed advice above. Sigh. I'm 0 for 2 this weekend. Maybe I'll start lurking instead of posting.

[dlavery]

The end of the trailer tongue has a circular fitting in the square steel rod. It can rotate along this circular piece and NOT transfer rotational forces to the 'bot.

The round stub is pinned to the square tube in the Trailer Hitch. They do not rotate relative to each other.

-dave


.

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by dlavery

The round stub is pinned to the square tube in the Trailer Hitch. They do not rotate relative to each other.

That's a last minute (12/29) design change?

[slocynerd]

Originally Posted by SWIM

Unlikely, this year the 'bots will slide before they tip, unless they're incredibly top-heavy.

A wide body can effect the packaging for a shooter / ball storage, and reduce the amount of useful space for a hopper, depending on how you design all that.

Also, consider this: the trailer in the back acts as almost an extension to the base of your robot, making sideways a more logical decision because it will take an incredible amount of force (not seen in any first event btw) to knock it clean over.

[Hanna2325]

I think the wide is going to be important with control on the slippery surface, but it also means it would be easier to bump into things driving forward. Also if you are planning to bring balls in from front or back or have a wide storing device it gives you space.

[PhilBot]

Here is a video of our wide robot test:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HEE_isM0Uo

[thefro526]

I decided that my team should go with a wide base this year the Monday after kick-off and it seems like my decision is paying off. It's main advantage in my opinion is that it'll be less prone to have trouble turning and overturning and should have a wider opening to gather balls. (I've currently designed it to have about a 23-3/4" opening)

[Daniel885]

We decided to mount our wheels in the wide position

Pro: Even with the wheels and slippery surfaces it is still easy for even rookies to control.

Pro: Ball capture is not difficult

Con: Increases chance of collision and jams.