Wheel I designed in CAD. I haven’t really done much in CAD just played around in my free time. I have no done any tutorials or anything so I really don’t know what I am doing except having fun. Please Comment. I’d Like some Feedback. I’ll get you all the details when my windows computer starts agreeing with me again.
Wow… It’s been awhile since I’ve been on here… Finally something I’m semi qualified to speak about. Semi.
First off, the CAD looks very nice. And the wheel is a decent design, except for the loop on the end of the spokes. It is very likely to snap there. And the part after it contacts the wheel is just adding weight.
Any chance of a different view angle? (If you have it on a picasa or photobucket, something like that?)
How wide is the wheel?
What’s the width of the spokes? The depth?
Whats the bore diameter?
-Rion
I dunno about their actual usage plan for the wheel is for, but I’m guessing that it’d be for more show then function.
i don’t think the spokes will break, if the center bore is .5 in then those spokes are pretty thick. if you are planning to use these in a 6wd robot then i think it should be fine, as longs as there are no bumps in next years game.
Looks like fun!
If you have an experienced mechanical mentor available, ask her to show you how to do a “Finite Element Analysis” or to simulate what types of stresses will develop when you load it. This design should show some very interesting and informing results.
Do what Eric suggests to analyze a new design that ignores embedding question marks or other decorations into the wheel. Just make the result a strong, light wheel.
Then… create a light, snap-on decorative hubcap that fits onto that wheel and adds only trivial weight to the completed assembly. The hubcap’s wow-factor is limited only by your imagination (and the audiences’ ability to appreciate fine art :)).
I’ll get some other views of it. As I said my computer wasn’t cooperating with me.
Yup, I wasn’t planning on anything with these wheels except to learn a little about CAD.
We have one mentor that does a lot of 2D CAD, I don’t know how much 3D CAD he does. We have another College Student that took a class in it so I’ll ask both of them when we start meeting again.
I’ll look into doing something like that.
Edit:
Wheel is 1.5in deep, 6in wide
Spokes are .5in deep, .25in wide
Any other measurements you would like?
I think it would be more reasonable, if you wanted the question marks, to make fairly large spokes and use the question mark shape as a lightening pattern.
I was going to try that next 
Another nitpick: You’re going to need to cut out a groove for the bearings in your wheel.
It’s always good to start with CAD early by playing around with it and doing small projects. It makes it a lot easier come build season.
Wheel is 1.5in deep, 6in wide
Spokes are .5in deep, .25in wide
Any other measurements you would like?
Okay, yeah those spokes wont break at that size. Though when you say that the wheel is 6in wide I assume you mean the diameter is 6 inches?
Are you running Inventor? I haven’t been able to get a hold of Solidworks or Inventor recently so I can’t remember which one has the 3 axis in the bottom that looks like that.
New picture edit: I don’t know if the spokes have enough contact with the wheel. I also think you may be ale to pull weight out of the hub there.
I was planning on pulling weight out of the hub. I have a new design that I will be posting soon. It’s what Chris is me was suggesting.
I would also advise putting a groove on the outside part of the wheel. It will keep the tread from sliding to one side or the other.
I’m with Blake on this one. There are options to make it very aesthetically pleasing using a hub cab, including annodizing the wheel and the decoration different colors. Even doing this to an AM Plaction wheel and no plate annodization could be ‘pretty’.
Of course the drive train needs to be designed such that the wheels can be seen to begin with, otherwise wheel aesthetics are for naught. In 2008 & 2009 aesthetic wheel design proved futile due to bumper rules, which is another thing to keep in mind during build season.
I’m with you guys as well.
However, it seems he is doing this as an exercise in CAD, which is perfectly fine by me. Its nice to design something you are familiar with to start (like an FRC wheel of sorts).
Keep up the good work, and keep trying new things.
Brando
My thoughts exactly. Lets prioritize making this a learning exercise, rather than a good-design exercise.
I am our lead programer and Electrical guy. I don’t do to much with CAD for the actualy robot I just thought it would be fun to learn, which it is. Thanks for all the input. I think I will try going through some tuturials next. How exactly should I go about adding a groove to the wheel? How big should it be?
I was lead electrical guy until I picked up CAD and some other stuff. Ended with team captain. A title is nothing, it’s the knowledge that counts.
For a grove I typically make them about .1" in depth. I put a rectangle on a plane(top, side, of front depending on how you made the wheel) referenced to the “top” of the wheel. Leave some material on each side, and exit the sketch. Then do a revolve cut with the axis of rotation for the wheel as the rotation point. Sorry if that sound complicated. I haven’t used CAD in months and it’s from memory.
To get SolidWorks sponsorship please register at www.solidworks.com/sponsoreddesigncontest
There is a good analysis example in optimizing a wheel.
Select Tools,Add INS,SolidWorks Simulation
Select Help, SolidWorks Simulation Tutorials
For design. Look at the SolidWorks Tutorials to strengthen your modeling skills
Learn from others. Go to www.3DContentCentral and search on wheel, frc
Keep practicing.
Marie
Is there any way to obtain a copy for FIRST use without currently being a part of a team?