To LUGNET HomepageTo LUGNET News HomepageTo LUGNET Guide Homepage
 Help on Searching
 
Post new message to lugnet.robotics.rcxOpen lugnet.robotics.rcx in your NNTP NewsreaderTo LUGNET News Traffic PageSign In (Members)
 Robotics / RCX / 2358
2357  |  2359
Subject: 
Re: multiple motors
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.robotics.rcx
Date: 
Mon, 16 Feb 2004 15:38:45 GMT
Viewed: 
3912 times
  
In lugnet.robotics.rcx, Brian Davis wrote:
Jona Jeffords wrote:

Okay I've done it. I have the drive train all figured out with
the exact gearing I wanted.

   Great. My method was to combine the motor outputs down to two axles (left &
right) and then do the gearing down/up. I also played with running the "boost"
motors at a different gear ratio than the other four, but wasn't sure it would
help (much).

will adding an additional 2 motors to help in forward and reverse
motion really add enough to the push to justify the rebuild?

   Make a basic chassis with the wheels you want, and bulk it up to the limit (4
lbs in this case, correct?). Drive it into a wall using just four motors... does
it stall out (ie, motors can't provide enough torque) or spin the wheels (motors
can generate more torque than can be applied, due to limits on tire friction &
weight). *If* they stall out, then the "boost" motor pair can be added to dump
more torque into the system. If it doesn't stall out, then motors are not the
limiting factor in the maximum pushing force you can deliver.
   Another possible advantage is speed - these motors are not running unloaded,
and tossing another two motors worth of torque can boost the output speed of the
system as a whole as well.

Do I have anything to be concerned with as far as the draw on my RCX?

   Well, empirically I've had no problems as yet (I'm also running six motors,
two from each output). Coordinating turns etc. is slightly more complex in code,
but not really a problem. I've not had a chance to contrast this (six powered
from RCX) to the battery box solution (six powered from a non-current-limited
source), but since the RCX (for my specific 'bot) can power all six,  the
limiting factor so far is ground friction (ie- how do you get 4 lbs of LEGO onto
the thing?!?)

Will I burn through batteries much faster?

   Probably somewhat less than 50% faster. More power (torque per second) cost
more power (amps).

Any ideas or information that can help answer these questions
is greatly appreciated.

Rule #1: Robot should not suicide itself out of the ring.
Rule #2: see rule #1...

Thanks Brian,

I doubt I will attempt your suggested test of driving into a wall (this scares
me very much!) but I hear what you are saying. Based on Steve's reply, I have
decided that 6 motors pushing is better than 4. Since I have already figured out
the gearing I have littel to lose. As far as getting up to 4 lbs...I was sitting
at 2 lb 14 oz prior to thinking about the 2 additional motors. I expect I will
come in under 4 no problem, but will be around 3.5 lbs.

And yes, Rules 1 and 2 are good rules, it's good to remember the basics.

Jona
http://www.24tooth.com - LEGO Robotics Group of Ann Arbor



Message has 1 Reply:
  Re: multiple motors
 
(...) Actually, I think what he's suggesting is a pretty good idea. I usually test most of my sumo robots this way. Place the robot next to a wall. If you don't want to damage a wall with a big, powerful robot, :) use a book held against the floor (...) (20 years ago, 16-Feb-04, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)

Message is in Reply To:
  Re: multiple motors
 
(...) Great. My method was to combine the motor outputs down to two axles (left & right) and then do the gearing down/up. I also played with running the "boost" motors at a different gear ratio than the other four, but wasn't sure it would help (...) (20 years ago, 16-Feb-04, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)

21 Messages in This Thread:




Entire Thread on One Page:
Nested:  All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:  All | Brief | Compact

This Message and its Replies on One Page:
Nested:  All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:  All | Brief | Compact
    

Custom Search

©2005 LUGNET. All rights reserved. - hosted by steinbruch.info GbR