ARA - another differential (robot) platform

[radhoo]

Hi Guys,

I've finished a new robot platform, using homemade wheels (3CD-s each), some strong geared motors (30rpm) and lots of screws and other metal pieces.

Here are a few videos with on spot turnaround and forward movement:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnrERopbXD8[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj-J_PQz7kY[/youtube]


More details on my blog as well (hope to get some time to post more pics and construction details).
http://www.pocketmagic.net/?p=789

Next thing to do is to add tracks. Any suggestions?  

[guncha]

Ugh, that first video sounds like a seal is being tortured..
Either way, good job, radhoo! Looks like it can do some serious lifting.

[kpmcgurk]

try putting omni wheels or something for the front wheels to keep from scratching (killing seals LOL)

[radhoo]

hehe, it sure makes some annoying noise

But I'm planning in adding some tracks over the wheels, so the front wheels should move synchronously with the back. Should kill the noise too.

Any suggestions for making some good tracks our of scratch?

I have a few ideas:

one would be to use two layers of tape, put with the sticky part against each other. Inside some perpendicular pieces of wire like this:

|      |
|      |
--------- wire
|      |
|      |
--------- wire
|      |
|      |


^the 2xtape layers with wire inside. After adjusting the length of this to get over the two wheels on a side, I can bend the wires to form small U shapes, to hold the tracks on the wheels.

I'll experiment this and maybe put some photos, meanwhile let me know if you guys have any other ideas on this. Thanks.

[SmAsH]

just a note:
making your own tracks is a VERY hard task in itself. it may seem like a good idea now. not to be mean or anything,
but, unless you put way too much effort into the tracks they will most likely not work.
if you really want tracks i suggest you buy some tamiya or similar tracks.
but if you really are hell bent set on making them, i wish you good luck with this.

[kpmcgurk]

http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_taurus.shtml

sorry, this just reminded me of this a little 

(not the robot just the home made tread thing