We need to link two gear mechanisms on opposite sides of our robot together. We currently use HS Shafts but they do not reach to span the entire width of the mechanism. We already tried to use a shaft collar and connect the two shafts together by inserting them each halfway into the collar, this was not stable enough. Does VEX make a longer than 12" HS shaft or, since we play in VEX U, can someone provide us with a link or alternative for longer shafts? Thanks everyone!
You could try using HS gears screwed together to link multiple shafts together
No, they do not. But there are methods to extend the length of a HS shaft. Team 590V had a method of connecting the shafts by having a 12t pinion connecting one of the ends of both shafts, with two HS lock collars on both sides of the pinion to prevent it from sliding:
(Was trying to find a good picture of it from their reveal but I cant just find a clear one picture of it. But you should hopefully be able to see a gist of what I mean)
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I have no idea what this picture is
12t Pinion:
HS Lock Collar:
I dont have vex stuff with me, but hopefully this clears things up a bit.
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As a U-team, you can use any steel, so here is a 1/4" square bar from mcmaster: McMaster-Carr You will need to machine the bar at the points where it will pass through bearings, however. The “thundersquare” concept circumscribes the corners with a 0.302" round, so this is what you’ll have to machine the corners off to on a metal lathe at the points were bearings will be used.
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