We are a team that is only 2 years old. For lack of experience, we designed our drive train with the old 8" wheelchair wheels in the front. We have NO spares… We know that they tend to break out in the spokes.
Does anyone have wheels we can have? We will pay for overnight shipping. Our first regional is next weekend in Manchester.
Try here: http://www.skywaytuffwheels.com/products_004.htm
Says you’ll have to contact them to get some.
http://www.skywaytuffwheels.com/graphics/pic_caster8.jpg
Skyway 8" Caster Wheel
Before AndyMark and IFIrobotics, FIRST got its wheels from Skyway Wheels
The wheels you seek are there. they are not open on Mondays or weekends. talk to one of their engineers about the wheel and wheel options such as bearings, hubs and diameters of the wheels to ensure you receive the precise replacement for your wheels.
Ive seen these wheels being used on 1,000s of FIRST robots and have never seen one break. i had to cut into one myself and had a hard time. they are extremely durable. but if you do need the spares go to the link and order ASAP.
I have seen them fail in the past, but only if the spokes are not reinforced. The easiest way to reinforce the skyway spokes is to cut masonite or plastic wedges out and “clamp” the web part of the spokes to tie them all together. This adds a little weight to the robot, but mitigates the risk of breaking a wheel. Being that there shouldn’t be as much pushing and shoving this year, I wouldn’t be too concerned, but getting a replacement or two wouldn’t be a bad idea. I’d look at the list of teams attending your regional and contact some of them to see if they might have a few lying around.
Thanks, everyone for your help.
I contacted Skyway and we’re working on ordering right now.
As far as them breaking, I have personally seen the hub break right out of a bot we had on another team. It was caused by a direct side impact. The “spares” that we had lying around from an old kitbot someone lent us had cracks in the spokes, too, which is making me uncomfortable.