Finding the Right Tread...
SRLM
Posts: 5,045
Hi.
I'm looking for a good tread design for my next project. I got the parallax/tamiya treads, but those only work inside on smooth, hard surfaces. From what I gather, the same with VEX. However, I found these and they seem to be a bit better. Anybody try them yet? By the way, the site has some cool $4,000 tracked stuff that can easily navigate a full size staircase. Maybe if I can convince somebody that they really need one... Anyway, I'm looking for something a bit smaller, anyway. Here's the URL:
http://www.robotmarketplace.com/products/IL-SVADK.html
I'm looking for a good tread design for my next project. I got the parallax/tamiya treads, but those only work inside on smooth, hard surfaces. From what I gather, the same with VEX. However, I found these and they seem to be a bit better. Anybody try them yet? By the way, the site has some cool $4,000 tracked stuff that can easily navigate a full size staircase. Maybe if I can convince somebody that they really need one... Anyway, I'm looking for something a bit smaller, anyway. Here's the URL:
http://www.robotmarketplace.com/products/IL-SVADK.html
Comments
http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=10&m=283787
-Phil
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'Still some PropSTICK Kit bare PCBs left!
These don't look the same (notice the curved surface of the tread):
http://www.battlebricks.com/october_images/zteve_oct8.jpg
http://www.battlebricks.com/jan24images/zteve.jpg
While this one looks the same:
http://www.israelego.com/project-photos/AllTerrianTank1.jpg
One thing that throws me is that the robotMarketplace wheels for the treads seem to have a small hole (1/8"?), while lego uses a cross shape or a hole about 1/4". So I suppose it's possible the recast the lego wheels with smaller holes, and simply reused the wheels. I've sent them an email, though, so I hope they'll be man enough to admit if they used legos.
http://www.solarbotics.com/motors_accessories/treads/
Are a couple of choices.
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- Stephen
While the BOEbot/Tamiya tracks are fun for starters, I can't see why you would go to a Lego type set up with plastic axles. I would at least want something that could withstand being stepped on or mishandled.
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It's sunny and warm here. It is always sunny and warm here.... (unless a typhoon blows through).
Tropically, G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse] 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan
Post Edited (Kramer) : 8/17/2008 6:05:14 PM GMT
I've had fairly good luck with the VEX tracks. They have run successfully on hard floors, pile carpets, the grass in my front lawn and the concrete driveway. I would just like to have an extra set of bogie wheels for each side to allow a better distribution of weight on the treads. Unlike the Tamiya treads, the treads on the VEX are individual segments that allow an easier setup of the tread length. Also the hard plastic seems to slide a little easier on turns than the various rubber treads I've tried and the tracks don't come off the drive wheel, bogies or idler wheels nearly as easily as the Tamiya's do.
Rick
I have looked at some automotive timing belts that really appeal to me for use as tracks. They usually connect the crankshaft with the valve train.
One would turn them inside out to get the bumps for traction. You could have two tracks about 12" long and 1" wide of very solid material. Other than the drive pulleys, you could make your own pulleys with washers, tubing spacers, and maybe ball bearings.
The only real problem is that these drive pulleys are patented and very pricey new. One would have to salvage drive pulleys along with the matching belts in order to get a good set up cheaply. This is possible if you have a local salvage yard that allows you to unbolt your own junk, but nothing like that in Taiwan. I just have a repair shop that has a pile of discarded belts.
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It's sunny and warm here. It is always sunny and warm here.... (unless a typhoon blows through).
Tropically, G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse] 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan
Anyway, good idea about the timing belts.
-Phil
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'Still some PropSTICK Kit bare PCBs left!
Phil,
Those are exactly what I had in mind. I had two belts sitting around for ages that I scrounged from a pile of garbage. They appear to cost about $50 or more new. I suspect you could get all you want for free from an engine rebuilding shop as they do get out of spec with extended automotive use.
They even have a double-sided belt if one wants to keep the drive pulley away from contact with dirt.
The prices are good too. One just has to build a carrier out of two steel plates that sandwich each of the belts as treads and hold the drive motor.
I must admit that I had gotten lazy with shopping on the internet due to being in Taiwan. Orders from the US kill me on shipping.
It seems a 24" to 30" outside diameter timing belt would be perfect for tractor treads. See page 1033 of their catalog for one that have a 'tire tread' design and have drive pulleys too.
Snomobiles are nonexistent in Taiwan. Anyway, such a robot would be a bit large. The timing belts might also adapt to a mat track configuration.
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It's sunny and warm here. It is always sunny and warm here.... (unless a typhoon blows through).
Tropically, G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse] 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan
Post Edited (Kramer) : 8/19/2008 7:54:25 AM GMT