Since our last blog there’s been lots of progress.
We have drilled out the centres of the mecanum wheels and printed some new hubs. This allows the gap between the motor and the wheel rim to be reduced so that the robot remains within the maximum width specification. It also allows a common attachment method between the “balloon tyre” wheels and the mecanum wheels so that a wheel swap between games is viable.
We’ve all, but particularly chief driver Nathan, been driving the test chassis with the mecanum wheels installed. We’ve been trying to imagine that we are in a PiNoon battle. We try to always face the opposition then lunge at the appropriate moment. Quite honestly it’s tricky. Last year’s machine is easier to drive although it is not as versatile. This is going to need some practice.
There’s good news though. The 3D printed chassis is definitely robust enough. This leaves us free to go through (hopefully) one last design pass and then to print the final version.
Team PiDrogen 