31-01-2008 13:18

Dan-o

Re: pic: 1251 Side Plates

Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? Looks like 8 wheels to me. How long did your CNC take to mill those? I'm guessing we'll see some lightening holes in those by competition time. Clean design. I like the thickened bearing holders (if that's what they are). Will you be using tank drive steering for this, or will the wheels be controled somewhat independantly?

Nice Job.

31-01-2008 13:19

EricH

Re: pic: 1251 Side Plates

I'm guessing tank tracks.

31-01-2008 13:27

Madison

Re: pic: 1251 Side Plates

It looks like 6WD with the guts of an AM shifter built into the drive modules; single chain with multiple idlers.

Why didn't y'all cut them loose from the raw stock at the same you put in all of the pocketing?

31-01-2008 13:39

Cowmankoza

Re: pic: 1251 Side Plates

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan-o Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? Looks like 8 wheels to me. How long did your CNC take to mill those? I'm guessing we'll see some lightening holes in those by competition time. Clean design. I like the thickened bearing holders (if that's what they are). Will you be using tank drive steering for this, or will the wheels be controlled somewhat independently? Nice Job.

31-01-2008 13:48

otomerobot

Re: pic: 1251 Side Plates

Those things are beasts

31-01-2008 13:51

sdcantrell56

Re: pic: 1251 Side Plates

That looks a lot like the drivetrain I designed last year. http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/28413

I really like it!!!

31-01-2008 14:13

techtiger1

Re: pic: 1251 Side Plates

Madison to answer your question about the pockets and the holes. The answer is they were machined separately to ensure the tight tolerances required on the hole layout since the whole drive train goes in between two of the plates. The plate started off square because it could be held in many vices oriented longways down the cnc machine, so the holes could be cut. Then once the holes were cut the piece was taken out of the vices and bolted on to a blank square plate using some of the existing holes to bolt the plate down so it could then be pocketed and further machined. I hope that answers your questions. The plates are pretty light but could be lighter and probably will be eventually. The majority of the plate is only 1/8in thick.

-Drew

31-01-2008 15:11

AdamHeard

Re: pic: 1251 Side Plates

1/8" is pretty thick for the pocketing.

Last year on 294 we had similar side rails from 3/8" Al that were pocketed down to 1/16".

31-01-2008 15:35

David Guzman

Re: pic: 1251 Side Plates

Here is some information:

-The plates are 3/8" thick, and where the pockets are located it went down to 1/8". It is a little thicker (7/32") on the part where the gearbox goes.

-We will be using the dog gear from AndyMark, however we machined our own dog pockets in the gears, shafts, piston holder, etc. This allows us to have the ratios we want, and the motors we want...

-Each plate weights 2.89 lbs.

-Yes, 8 wheel drive with 6 always in contact with the ground.

-The correct CNC time per plate is about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

01-02-2008 00:15

redbarron

Re: pic: 1251 Side Plates

Wow those are some pretty side plates lol..... I always have loved your bases and now that we are both 8 wheel drive we will have to team up again for sure I cant wait to see that base in Florida and Palmetto!!!