As I was playing around in Solidworks with the new VexPro/WCP lineup, I discovered that the switch from the standard .125" wall tube used in a WCD to a .1" wall tube grants enough clearance to allow for the use of a Vexpro 25 18 Tooth Sprocket. This really helps to save space in the drivetrain!
It’s safe to say that I’m a fan of these new products. Can’t wait to see this in use during the 2014 season!
SolidWorks tells me it’d be around .055" clearance vertically without chain installed. I don’t know off the top of my head how much the chain would extend past the teeth. Either way, it’s a cozy fit, but it “works” in CAD (granted, that’s not a guarantee of success). I’ll have the opportunity to test it using real parts sometime in the future, so i’ll post results when I get the opportunity to mock it up.
Do you have right to left clearance in those tubes to run dual sprockets on one shaft with the .1 wall thickness? I tried last season for our shooter gear box but had to make two plates instead of using our 1x3x.125 Al box.
We have been putting 16T #25 chain inside 2 x 1.5 tube for a couple of years. If you want to do a drop center 16T is as small as you can really go. Your chain will start to stretch and loosen up, rub a bit against the wall of the tube. Assembly of 18T will be almost impossible and if you are just running a 1:1 ratio between wheels why go with an 18T?
I really believe Versa is going to really change things for teams with limited fabrication abilities.
The main reason for going with a higher tooth count sprocket is to reduce the load in the chain and increase # of teeth that are meshed. Both influence how robust the system will be.