Hey guys i’m from a rookie team and we would like to know the best configuration for AM14U5 chassis (long, square or wide)
That is for you to decide based on your goals. The first consideration is what you’re trying to put onto the chassis, make sure your mechanisms are going to fit. If you don’t have mechanisms planed, the kitbot or every bot might be good paths. If you don’t think your going to get much built to go on the base, you could design a small fast bot for maximum mobility when herding or defending, or a large wide bot to take up space while defending.
It’s all up to you, there is no best configuration.
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Ideally the chassis size should be selected based on your strategy and design as said above.
That being said, having worked at a space that had ~20 teams building the AndyMark AM14U KOP chassis every year, it is hard to go wrong with the long configuration. This is the configuration that the KitBot uses which is a great choice for your rookie year.
The teams I used to mentor typically found it easiest to create a robot on the long chassis as the length can be easier to design with after building than one with more width. This isn’t “the best way” to build robots but it may be easier for your team depending on your resources and will ensure that you complete your chassis earlier. With a chassis done quickly you can push towards a drivable robot, something that is critical before your first event. If you do get your chassis drivable and then build on top of it, make sure to protect your electronics from metal shavings.
I personally would recommend trying to pick a chassis size and begin building it this week. If you are interested in building the KitBot, the Everybot team has a guide on building the chassis and wiring the KitBot. There is also the Everybot if you want to expand on the capabilities of the KitBot.
Please note that the KitBot/Everybot does delay finishing the chassis until the KitBot launcher has been completed.
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Just emphasizing, good habits from the get go.
Tape over any unused ports (power, signal, breaker slots) with masking tape as well as an insurance plan.
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In general, I would not recommend building the wide configuration, unless you have a good reason to do so.
The short of it is, the wide configuration is harder to maneuver because it turns too easily. A wide chassis (i.e., track is greater than wheelbase) doesn’t need 6 wheels to be able to turn; 4 corner wheels are enough.
Another benefit of the long chassis is it just fits through most doorways with bumpers on.
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I’ve found the corollary to that: a wide chassis makes it very difficult to keep a relatively tall robot stable during acceleration and deceleration.
The only time I’m particularly keen on going wide is when a bumper gap intake is advised, but this year that isn’t a factor. Were I doing an AM14U5, I’d go long or square this year (mostly, wide enough to ensure a ring can travel into the robot infrastructure between the drive rails).
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