Speed Reduction - Revision history

User: /* Friction */

2022-02-11T05:33:15Z

Friction

User: /* Gears */

2022-02-10T04:46:08Z

Gears

User: /* Gears */

2022-02-10T04:45:47Z

Gears

User: /* Belts */

2022-02-10T04:34:24Z

Belts

User: /* Chains */

2022-02-10T04:24:52Z

Chains

User: /* Chains */

2022-02-10T04:24:14Z

Chains

User: Added some details, needs more

2021-12-21T04:07:48Z

Added some details, needs more

User at 03:27, 3 November 2021

2021-11-03T03:27:16Z

User: Started Page with some content but still has big gaps.

2021-10-28T05:22:48Z

Started Page with some content but still has big gaps.

New page

== Optimizing Speed ==
For nearly all applications, motors spin faster than is optimal. Although speed can be important, in most cases the added torque gained via speed reduction is needed to get the performance you are looking for.
=== Optimizing Drive Speed ===
How fast should you be? Speed vs. Pushing
Learning to drive
Robotic Legend has created a [https://roboticlegends.org/buildingtips/drivesystems/how-to-calculate-speed-based-on-wheel-speed-tire-diameter/ nice tutorial on how to calculate speed].

=== Optimizing Weapon Speed ===
'''Spin up time'''is as important, if not more important than how fast a spinning weapon spins at top speed. Although some smaller robot classes can get away with direct drives for their weapons, in most cases reducing the speed via a gear or belt will give you better performance.
<br>
Top speed
<br>

== Gears ==
Pros
Cons

== Chains ==
Pros
Cons

== Belts ==
Pros
Cons

== Friction ==
Pros
Cons

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 == Friction ==
-Friction can be simple to impliment but it has a lot of downsides and isn't common in robot combat.
+Friction drive is a system that depends upon friction between moving parts in contact to transmit motion. Often a wheel is directly attached to a drive motor which is then pressed against another rotatiting part to impart motion.<br>
-Pros
+Pros: Friction can be simple to impliment <br>
-Cons
+Pros: Friction drive can be light weight since it doesn't require heavy parts like gears or sprockets or chains.<br>

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 == Gears ==
 Gears are wheels with teeth that slot together. When one gear is turned the other one turns as well. If the gears are of different sizes, they can be used to increase the power of a turning force. The smaller wheel turns more quickly but with less force, while the bigger one turns more slowly with more force. Although rarely used in weapons, gears are a popular choice with drive systems as they come in a variety of sizes and configurations. <br>
-Pros: Gears transfer power efficiently. <br.
+Pros: Gears transfer power efficiently. <br>
 Pros: Gears can be arranged to take up very little space inside a robot. <br>
 Cons: The build quality of inexpensive gearboxes rarely hold up in combat robots. <br>

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 == Gears ==
-Although rarely used in weapons, gears are a popular choice with drive systems.
+Gears are wheels with teeth that slot together. When one gear is turned the other one turns as well. If the gears are of different sizes, they can be used to increase the power of a turning force. The smaller wheel turns more quickly but with less force, while the bigger one turns more slowly with more force. Although rarely used in weapons, gears are a popular choice with drive systems as they come in a variety of sizes and configurations. <br>
-Pros
+Pros: Gears transfer power efficiently. <br.
-Cons
+Pros: Gears can be arranged to take up very little space inside a robot. <br>
 == Chains ==

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 == Belts ==
-Belts are a light-weight solution for transfering power.
+Drive belts use friction to operate. Tension is applied to the belt which causes friction between the belt and the pulleys that it's installed around. Some belts and pulleys have 'teeth' or ridges to increase friction and keep their motion in synch. <br>
-Pros
+Pros: Belts are a light-weight solution for transfering power. <br>
-Cons
+Pros: Belts come in a wide variety of sizes and styles making them suitible for many designs. <br>
 == Friction ==

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 == Chains ==
-A Roller Chain, known as the drive chain or transmission chain, passing over a sprocket gear, with the teeth of the gear meshing with the holes in the links of the chain. Pro: Chains are a highly efficient way to transfer power.
+A Roller Chain, known as the drive chain or transmission chain, passing over a sprocket gear, with the teeth of the gear meshing with the holes in the links of the chain.
-Pro: Physically strong.
+<br>
-Cons: Often requir exact spacing or tensioners to keep them on their sprockets.
+Pro: Chains are a highly efficient way to transfer power. <br>
-Cons: Chains are relatively heavy.
+Pro: Physically strong. <br>
 == Belts ==

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 === Optimizing Weapon Speed ===
-'''Spin up time''' is as important, if not more important than how fast a spinning weapon spins at top speed. If your weapon takes too long to spin up, an aggressive opponent will make contact with your slow moving weapon without taking damage.  Typically you want to be able to reach 90% of your top speed in about 3 seconds.
+'''Spin up time''' is as important, if not more important than how fast a spinning weapon spins at top speed. If your weapon takes too long to spin up, an aggressive opponent will make contact with your slow moving weapon without taking damage.  Typically you want to be able to reach 90% of your top speed in 3 seconds or less. Quick spin up times can be even more important in the small weight classes where small arenas mean you are never far from your opponent.
 <br>
 ===Top speed===
+'''Faster is always better''' isn't always true. Although high speed is needed to make the robots weapon destructive, spinning the weapon too fast has some downsides. Gyroscopic forces can make turning the robot difficult, and some weapon designs like drumbs or disks may have difficulty 'biting' into an opponent. Also, some events or robot-classes such as sportsman robots may have rule limitations on weapon top-speed.
 <br>
 == Gears ==
+Although rarely used in weapons, gears are a popular choice with drive systems.
 Pros
 Cons
 == Chains ==
 Pros
 Cons
 == Belts ==
 Pros
 Cons
 == Friction ==
 Pros
 Cons