Author Topic: Good track system that works on carpet?  (Read 6890 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Steve JoblinTopic starter

  • Supreme Robot
  • *****
  • Posts: 405
  • Helpful? 2
    • Roebotz
Good track system that works on carpet?
« on: March 22, 2007, 06:47:32 PM »
I've been playing around with a multitude of configurations using Tamiya Tank Treads on a Parallax Boe-Bot (http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=28106), but they keep derailing because I am driving it on carpet.  Has anyone had experience with a tread system that is good for use on carpet?  My robot is only about 8" long by 5" wide and uses two standard Futaba servos (modified for continuous rotation).

Offline JesseWelling

  • Expert Roboticist
  • Supreme Robot
  • *****
  • Posts: 707
  • Helpful? 0
  • Only You Can Build A Robot!
Re: Good track system that works on carpet?
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2007, 07:06:18 PM »
havn't used them but you may want to look into them:
http://www.budgetrobotics.com/shop/?shop=1&cart=408639&cat=154&
http://www.lynxmotion.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=94
http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/3172-Robby-RP5-Chassis-Only.aspx

and maybe you could go to belt drive from the servo and use two wheels?
every thing in software would be the same (unless you accounted for friction of the treads and what not
but I wouldn't tackle that task with a Parallax any ways....)
« Last Edit: March 22, 2007, 07:13:56 PM by JesseWelling »

Offline hgordon

  • Expert Roboticist
  • Supreme Robot
  • *****
  • Posts: 373
  • Helpful? 7
    • Surveyor Robotics Journal
Re: Good track system that works on carpet?
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2007, 08:52:56 PM »
The Lego Technics tracks won't derail.  We use a variation of that design on our robots.
Surveyor Corporation
  www.surveyor.com

Offline Hal9000

  • Supreme Robot
  • *****
  • Posts: 338
  • Helpful? 0
Re: Good track system that works on carpet?
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2007, 06:30:40 AM »
I think, for the sheer cheapness and wickedness of the technic tracks, this has become the track of choice for many many developers.

Namely, this one

http://www.active-robots.com/products/robots/surveyor-srv1.shtml
« Last Edit: March 23, 2007, 06:36:03 AM by Hal9000 »
"The truth is, you can't hide from the truth, cos the truth is all there is" - Handsome Boy Modeling School

Offline Admin

  • Administrator
  • Supreme Robot
  • *****
  • Posts: 11,703
  • Helpful? 173
    • Society of Robots
Re: Good track system that works on carpet?
« Reply #4 on: March 27, 2007, 01:46:10 PM »
Ive used the lego tracks for several robots and have had only one problem with them.

You must make sure the 'wheels' are spaced apart just right. If too far, meaning the treads are too tight, they bend inward causing high friction losses on your motors. Perhaps if you use a metal shaft instead of a plastic lego shaft you might not have this problem . . .

Offline hgordon

  • Expert Roboticist
  • Supreme Robot
  • *****
  • Posts: 373
  • Helpful? 7
    • Surveyor Robotics Journal
Re: Good track system that works on carpet?
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2007, 07:44:50 PM »
I'll second that comment - a difference of 0.050" in axle spacing can make a significant difference in loading on the drive motors with those treads.
Surveyor Corporation
  www.surveyor.com

Offline Hal9000

  • Supreme Robot
  • *****
  • Posts: 338
  • Helpful? 0
Re: Good track system that works on carpet?
« Reply #6 on: March 29, 2007, 02:50:37 AM »
Actually, yeah, thirded. Although, I guess you are supposed to be using them with lego. But, that's not the point.

Yeah, that happens.
"The truth is, you can't hide from the truth, cos the truth is all there is" - Handsome Boy Modeling School

Offline nanob0t

  • Robot Overlord
  • ****
  • Posts: 145
  • Helpful? 0
  • Trust Your Technolust
Re: Good track system that works on carpet?
« Reply #7 on: March 29, 2007, 01:21:12 PM »
May I suggest my robot?




It's only about 3 feet long though  :)
« Last Edit: March 29, 2007, 01:23:00 PM by nanob0t »

 


Get Your Ad Here

data_list