Drive Wheels Placement

Hi

I was just wondering what people thought about placement of wheels on a 2 wd bot. Generally they are just opposite each other either at the back, in the middle or at the front. But I was wondering if it would be possible to off set them. I.e. One in the front right corner and one in the rear left corner or vise versa.

It would fit my new design much better if I could off set them. If it can be done are there any advantages or disadvantages to using them this way?

Thanks
Regards
Ian Mc Donald
Team Ireland

Blue has its wheels in opposite corners. It doesnt seem to effect it, but dont know what its like to drive.

if u have your wheels offset as in one at the front and one at the back it actually helps the robot go in a straight line.

We use this in typhoon cdt and it does help it go in a straight line as there is the friction from the wheel helping to stop the robot from going sideways. It does however mean that more energy is required to turn but it is not a huge leap.

Would it make the bot more stable? As in not rock forwards and backwards?

It might rock left and right. Hehe! Or diagonal! LOL!!!

Mr Stu

Easily fixed with a couple of skid pads inline with the front and rear wheels.

Chris - http://www.featherweights.org/forum

Blues first try out had steel balls as skid pads in the opposite corners but it was hopeless to drive and kept getting stuck on the floor so we simply tried it without and it worked great so we left it at that. We (my brother :)) had no problems in driving it with an IBC controller, but it does rock diagonally under acceleration and deceleration but it has not proved a problem.

Blue is now retired, and some bits used for a new robot with the same drive arrangement and finally CO2.

I used offset drive arrangment in my first 2 robots, it didnt seem to effect it too much. I just used 2 ball transfer units but it took quite a while to get them mounted at the right vertical height.

Mark i want a new picture of the dogs on your profile picture.

Mr Stu