Sunday, May 17, 2015

Drivetrain Development

Beyond the basic 2015 KOP drivetrain that is 6 wheel/tank drive/4" wheels, there are many other options.

The biggest wow factor has to come with swerve or mecanum. But, there are also variations on tank drive that shouldn't be forgotten.

Tank Drive Options:

  • Number of Drive Wheels: 4, 6, or 8 ... or more?
  • Wheel Size: 4" or 6"... or even 8" ...or maybe even 3.5" wheels
  • Wheel Type and Combination: 
    • 4 or 6 Regular treaded wheels,
    • 4 wheel Omni
    • 6 wheel center treaded, Omni on the corners
    • Omnis only on the front

One team is working on a test chassis that allows for ALL of these combinations.

The description of it is HERE.

This is just one example. A really well thought out example, but just one.

The general idea is to have a multi-purpose platform to build and test ideas in the mechanical side with frame design, frame geometry, build quality experience and speed. On the software side, this is the platform to work out better control methods, drivability, sensor usage, etc... 

What would/should 5190's next platform look like? 

What would it be made out of? 
My vote on this is Versa-everything. 

Here are a couple of guides that everyone should read.

For completeness, here are the various chassis "systems" that are available out there:
Vex Versa Chassis - Vex couldn't have made this stuff any easier. Look at the application guides on the link page. Or go here, here, or here.


For a cool....COOL....internal run drive chassis where the chain is inside 2x1 tubes
AndyMark - Lots of KOP stuff

Others? Leave a comment!

But, the team has to decide what to do, and what to do with Ghost, Lofty, and don't forgot Mosquito sitting under the table collecting dust. What will Ghost-2, SuperLofty, or SonOfMosquito look like??

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