What do you guys think would be the better drive train for this years game? Personally, I think that a Mecanum drive would do better because it can play defense better, which will be crucial for this years game. While before with Cortex, mecanum used to be much slower. However, with V5 the speed gap between an omni and mecanum drive is reduced. What are your guys thoughts?
There is already a thread on this topic here, please use the search bar first before starting a new thread.
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If your gonna go for strafing then I’d highly recommend an X-drive. The turning speed on mecanums isn’t the greatest, and they’ll be out paced by any other drive train in this game. This game requires either allot of speed or pushing power, Mecanums is lacking in both. An X-drive doesn’t have much pushing power but their extremely fast.
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Pushing power is just another word for defense, and in defense, maneuverability is more important than pushing power.
IMO both are viable but I think you’ll have an easier time scoring in corner goals if you have an x drive
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Out of curiosity, why do you think this?
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Mechanums generally require a wider than normal chassis but with an x drive the front is angled inwards so you could go further into the corner
However, just note that in the one reveal that used an x-drive so far (210Y)
the extension of the intakes actually prevents the robot from nesting in the corner.
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I’ve tested this in CAD, and a 35 hole wide chassis fits just fine in the corners
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That’s good to know, I don’t have to worry so much about width
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Don’t mecanums have turning issues though?
Like in this thread
They are slightly slower when turning if put on correctly, but when put on backwards they develop the problem described in the thread
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I have a 25 hole wide mecanum drive CAD-ed right now
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That is very much a preference. Many drivers don’t have the certain skill type to maneuver around people as much. Others don’t really know how to push through defense the right way.
Now in this context, between the two drives I agree. If your gonna go with strafing just go all out and focus on sites and maneuverability.
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Yeah, which is why in my opinion an x drive is a better option for this game.
Mecanums are easier to code and have more power, whereas X drives are more mobile (and fun to drive XD)
Not really, the code to control mecanum drives and X-drives is actually virtually identical. The other arguments are valid though.
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How much more power would you say a mecanum drive has over an x dirve? I have not used either so asking for maybe some personal experience with the drive trains if you have used them before.
it doesn’t have any more power. it has more torque, less speed. same amount of force, maybe a bit more because mecanum drives have a bit of friction loss.
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Mechanum wheels have an ample amount of torque from my experience (comparable to tank drive with same setup)
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The power could only come from the motors. But different wheel types have different coefficient of friction. So your pushing power depends on the output torque of the motor, type of wheel, mass of the robot, and direction in which you push.
With X-Drive and mecanums if you try to push at 45 deg then only two of the wheels could push, because rollers on the other two will free roll in that direction, thus power out of two out of four motors is wasted.
If you push forward all four motors work, but you get friction in the rollers.
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