For teams that don’t have money to burn but enough funding and interest to look at the hard-sought Swerve Drives, WCP provides an excellent (and cheaper) variant of the SDS Mk4i- the Swerve X. This handy little module is less problematic and slightly more efficient with a smaller footprint than the Mk4i. And if you can’t afford eight of the new Kraken X60 motors, NEOs work too. Tested against the Mk4i, it is relatively quieter and has fewer moving components, but has a drawback in speed, and firmness mounting to the chassis. The lack of a lot of screws around the wheels and the four dinky supports holding the plate to the frame are a little concerning, but as more reviews are done, I would put these on your wishlist.
[I wonder why you can’t use falcons on these?]
(By the way, this post was not endorsed or sponsored by WCP, this was my review and advice, seeing how fast and how often MK4is sell out.)
Also, this module should not be used on robots that fall a lot, as the plates get bent. Also, I recommend using these modules as a partner to the MK4i, since they both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Not sure that I agree with your assessment on the drawbacks though. SwerveX has many of the same advantages of the MK4i, including the 7075 -T6 base plate - so it’s probably going to survive just as well as the MK4i. I think both modules are pretty heavy duty. They both also work fine with Neos and Falcons. We (4272) started in the SDS ecosystem, so that’s where we have stayed, but I think WCP makes modules just as good.
If you are looking for a more budget swerve, check out MAXswerve or SwerveXS. Not only are the kits inexpensive (comparatively), but they use a lower cost steering motor.
I’m personally pretty excited about these smaller offerings. They are a newer design for COTS swerve (MAXswerve was released right before the 2023 season), but I think there is some serious potential.
Never heard of them. I think instead I’ll stick to machining my own swerve using plates I order from www.fabworks.com. I’ve had great luck using partner code “FRC1351” to get 5% off my order!
Another thing to remember is that these two are not just budget options. While they have some limitations, mostly ground clearance with the 3 in wheels, there can be some legitimate advantages with them being significantly more compact and lighter.
I like how this thread started about a great design of swerve drive to exploit codes to save money
This is how you can tell that the community here is amazing
If has anything to do with swerve drives and paint, we’re screwed, because we have no functional sdms right now and I think everyone on our team is about as graceful with a paintbrush as a bull in a china shop. Just saying.
[Swerve Drives, maybe, paint, no]
Yup. West Coast tank drive carries. Unless it’s the 2022-23 season. Then you’ve just thrown yourself off a bridge from the North Pole to Valhalla expecting to make it to Houston, Texas. Long shot. Just a little.
