someone was asking for a pictures of a 6 wheel drive train, so i figured that i'd oblidge.
this is a picture of our (571) 2004 robot. the two middles wheels are each lowered about.093" below the plane of the others. there is a single chain that connects the three wheels on each side to a gearbox. you can see some of the spring tensioners and idlers we use to keep the chain taught (extremely important), though most of them are hidden underneath the robot.
if anyone else wants info on or would like to see the innards in better detail than this picture can provide, feel free to stop by our pits in archimedes division at nats.
I won’t be attending nationals but I sure would like some more information or pictures on that gearbox. I’m most curious as to whether that is a plastic gear I see mating with the drill motor and the specs on it. If that is indeed plastic, where did it come from and how is it working out for you? Thanks.
The delrin padded chain tensioners are a really good idea. Are they bolted in place or is there some sort of a spring device behind them that allows them to automatically adjust to keep tension?
the delrin is riveted onto a piece of bent lexan, and the spring force of the lexan provides a constant force against the chain
here are some more pics of the gearbox, if you so desire them. the delrin gears have held up fine, they are probably the least worrysome part on the entire robot.
