Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: Eco19R on June 21, 2007, 02:05:30 PM

Title: Caster issues.
Post by: Eco19R on June 21, 2007, 02:05:30 PM
 I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as what to use as a rear or front caster for a 2 wheel robot base, The issue is that any caster I can purchase where I live is too large for my needs, Omni wheels are something I will check out but I would like to come up with something that I can purchase around where I live.

Thanks for any help or information you can provide.
Title: Re: Caster issues.
Post by: hazzer123 on June 21, 2007, 02:12:56 PM
Maybe try a furniture store? They have casters for sofas.

Or anything that slides maybe, depending on what terrain you robot is going to travel on.
Title: Re: Caster issues.
Post by: Eco19R on June 21, 2007, 02:13:43 PM
All the casters I have found are too large.
Title: Re: Caster issues.
Post by: Jeff on June 21, 2007, 02:33:46 PM
If your on a hard surface you could use a teflon slide or something of the sort.
Title: Re: Caster issues.
Post by: Eco19R on June 21, 2007, 03:17:02 PM
Its going to go on carpet and hardwood flooring -  and it needs to be able to go across the transition between the two without getting stuck. I am thinking about just using a hard plastic ball that I drill a hole through. I might just buy a couple omni wheels.
Title: Re: Caster issues.
Post by: megaman935 on June 22, 2007, 09:52:45 AM
the plastic ball seems....different..... ;D
Title: Re: Caster issues.
Post by: ed1380 on June 22, 2007, 11:34:36 AM
I used a golf ball.
it was solid core so pre drilling and screwing in the screw was hard.
maybe glue on a ping pong ball?
Title: Re: Caster issues.
Post by: Steve Joblin on June 24, 2007, 10:25:54 AM
I've gotten ball transfers from McMaster-Carr.com  They are used in conveyor systems... go to www.mcmaster-carr.com and search on "ball transfers... then narrow your search on "ball-down" types of ball transfers.

I have also had a lot of success with the Parallax Boe-bot which uses a delrin ball mounted using a cotter pin... check out http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=700-00009 for details.