10-06-2008 11:26

sanddrag

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

The way the 1x1 tubes go all the way through the chassis is exactly what 696 did this year. Very strong, minimizes warping during welding. Worked pretty well.

10-06-2008 12:15

Greg Needel

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

is there a pin or some kind of retaining device on the inside of the chassis rails to keep the frame from squishing and becoming narrower after a side impact?

10-06-2008 12:20

s_forbes

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

I don't think I'd want to build a robot with that many quick releases in the drivetrain, but from what I've seen at FIRST competitions just about anything will work! Very clever idea.

Which part of the frame do you plan to mount the mechanisms to?

10-06-2008 14:06

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

Nice! Looks cool!

I also like your gearbox design....

11-06-2008 14:50

Alex.Norton

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

There is a retaining feature on the inside of the frame. The lexan on the top and botton of the cross supports would be pot riveted to the box beam keeping the side pieces from moving inward.

Any manipulators or other mehcanism would mount to the black supports because the side would be able to come off. In terms of the gearbox, hey why improve on something that aint broke. Its only partially custom (The side plates would be custom) but still sleek and easy to replace if broken. Of course unlike your design it isn't a shifting transmition.

11-06-2008 15:02

NickE

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

To save a bit of weight, you could probably go with smaller sprockets.
Are you using 25 or 35 chain?

Also, what is the material for the gearbox sideplates?
254 typically uses Delrin, as it is much lighter than aluminum and strong enough for this application

Finally, when looking at your picture, there are grooves cut out in the front of the side tubing.
Am i correct in thinking that you will be putting another black crossbar in the front?

11-06-2008 15:04

Joe Matt

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

Maverick is fun

11-06-2008 15:32

roboticWanderor

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

Is this a challenge??
Seriously, looks good. very innovative way to attach the side rails. I'm gonna have to steal that idea about that crossbeam going though the entire rail. I like it.

11-06-2008 15:47

Madison

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

What benefit does it provide that you don't have now?

Passing the cross members through the side rails makes the design more complicated to manufacture and absorbs impacts as shear against the pin instead of compression of the tubing.

11-06-2008 15:56

roboticWanderor

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

I was assuming that the cross beams were welded in the hole. assuming the weld has proper penetration, the crossbeams would both be able to sustain compression loads just as well, as well as supporting loads from the front of the chassis without shearing the weld. I think we're already going to have to machine the 1x2 rails, what is one more op?

11-06-2008 15:58

Madison

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

I believe Alex's intent was that the cross members be pinned in place, making the side rails removable. Welding them would place them into compression and be fine -- but if you're going to weld them, why bother machining a hole into the side rail at all?

Again, though, it's all a matter of weighing the good against the bad. Machining work is resource and time intensive, so we prioritize other solutions. For some folks, it's a way of ensuring quality workmanship and isn't an undue burden.

11-06-2008 19:46

Alex.Norton

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

The sprockets are for #25 chain. The reason that they are so large is because I was originally planning on using cross braces that are as tall as the sides and the sprockets would need the chain to clear them. I simply haven't been motivated to change them.

The side plates are currently aluminum but theres no reason they need to stay that way. The grooves in the front to so that the sides are identical and can be switched without needing to have one of each. The actual would probably use another to mount bumpers.

11-06-2008 20:03

NickE

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

As a compromise, you could always make the front and back crossbraces the full height of the sidebeams, and use the half size ones for the in-between crossbraces.

This would allow you to keep the sprockets small and to still retain more strength than having all half size crossbeams.

12-06-2008 01:01

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

It should be! CAD off! Gogogogogogo!

12-06-2008 01:21

AdamHeard

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

Yeah, definitely inspired by the same team(s) yours was.

12-06-2008 01:38

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

Actually, my design was inspired by a whiteboard sketch by James Fry. Who knows where he got his ideas, might have been there. As for the actual mechanics, mine was a single speed, akin to this one, rather than a two speed, akin to the ones you posted. Same shape though (a no-nonsense, no real extra material design that I wholeheartedly approve of).

12-06-2008 02:52

roboticWanderor

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

i wish, my computer is down atm and it will be a few days before i can get back to SW, luckily all my CAD files were backed up! expect to see some cool stuff soon.

12-06-2008 02:54

roboticWanderor

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

i have some better pictures of that drivetrain if anyone wants to take a look! man i had to dig deep to find them but i got em!

12-06-2008 19:13

Alex.Norton

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

hehehehe, when, where and what are we CAD'ing?

The braces weren't going to be full height for strength reasons, They would have been full height because the original idea was for the frame to be completely pop riveted and all the braces would need to be the same height for this.

oh, and yes Maverick is fun.

12-06-2008 20:05

R.C.

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

roboticWanderor i would like to see them or can you email them to me at rcthekid1323@gmail.com

Thanks

12-06-2008 20:53

Nica F.

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

Pretty hard to say this design posted was a alteration of your design alone though. West coast is obviously known for their drive designs and I must say that the link you posted was up way after a few greats such as 254 and team 60. Just throwing it out there.

On another note, alex, thanks for sharing your take on the west coast drive with the rest of chiefdelphi it's always nice to see what all the teams get out of other great role model teams.

12-06-2008 20:54

EricH

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

How about using CD-Media?
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/25814
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/23573 (And scroll down on this one)
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/25071

There's a few more there too. You may have to search for both the teams involved.

12-06-2008 21:32

roboticWanderor

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

righto, uploading now.

12-06-2008 22:32

Travis Covington

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

http://gallery.rawc.net/main.php

The gallery includes photos from regionals and off season events that either 254 or 968 attended, as well as build photos and other misc stuff.

Most of the pics are a little better than the stuff on CD Media.

13-06-2008 00:13

roboticWanderor

Re: pic: West Coast Altered

thats where i found it, unfortunately they don't have any 2008 robot pinups yet. (cmon guys!) but there are some great pictures from previous years!