I read this article about
How to Make an All-direction Vehicle With Mecanum Wheels
Here’s the link if you’re unfamiliar with it:
I’m wondering if you have all the parts in the article to make that. But also I’m trying to build an identical vehicle but on a larger scale. Basically a cart 3 and half feet long by two and a half feet with ten inch diameter mecanum wheels. I found the wheels on a robot website and I can build my own cart but have no idea if you have encoder motors that could handle those wheels. And how much I would have to bump up the voltage to make them work efficiently? I work in the film industry so finding the right batteries shouldn’t be a problem but its the boards and the coding and the types of encoder motors that would work for this application that I’m pretty clueless on… does your company have such items? I’m thinking I might want to build your small scale version first and then go bigger. But I would love to know if you could help me out with this kind of project.
I’m wondering if you have all the parts in the article to make that.
Yes, you can find them here:
But also I’m trying to build an identical vehicle but on a larger scale. Basically a cart 3 and half feet long by two and a half feet with ten inch diameter mecanum wheels.
That sounds nice!
I found the wheels on a robot website and I can build my own cart but have no idea if you have encoder motors that could handle those wheels.
For the motor selection, you shouldn’t focus on the wheel compatibility, although it would be nice to check if the wheel hub matches the motor’s shaft, you can always get a coupler, but since you mention that it will be a large rover, it you should focus more on making sure that the motors you choose have enough torque to move the robot. I suggest using this tool to get an idea of how much torque you’ll need:
And how much I would have to bump up the voltage to make them work efficiently?
More than bumping up the voltage you would need to invest in a more powerful motor controller, because if you need more powerful motors you will also need a more powerful motor controller. This can also help:
but its the boards and the coding and the types of encoder motors that would work for this application that I’m pretty clueless on
Don’t need to worry about it, if you new to robotics then, as you said, start with something simple but I’m sure you will be able to build the rover you have in mind, and you can always post in the forum if you have any questions selecting the parts or even programming. And this should also help:
does your company have such items?
For sure, but in the unlikely event that we don’t have a part you need, we could also help you find it. And you can also look for help in the forum, or ask any of the users who have shared their creations in the Robots section.
Thanks so much for all the great info! I’ll start doing my homework! I do think I want to experiment on a small scale. But as far as my cart’s requirements it’s would need minimum of 10inch wheels with the cart plus my self and a camera weighing in total about 450-500 pounds. It would need enough torque to move briskly over relatively smooth surfaces but would love for them to be able to handle a few degrees of incline in an ideal world. You mentioned I should have stronger motors drivers, if I bought some better ones would they still work with the small scale motors?
would need minimum of 10inch wheels with the cart plus my self and a camera weighing in total about 450-500 pounds
Ok, then it will have to be able to support quite a lot of weight, you will definitely need powerful motors, probably gearmotors (this provide more torque but they are slower), maybe you should even consider using more motors and wheels. Again, I suggest using this tool to get an idea of the specs the motors will need. Another consideration will be the weight that the wheels will have to support, most likely you will need some heavy-duty ones.
You mentioned I should have stronger motors drivers, if I bought some better ones would they still work with the small scale motors?
If the voltage range of the motor driver includes the rated voltage of your motors then yes (a lot of motor drivers offer a wide operating voltage range so most likely yes). If you check the third link I shared in my last reply you’ll find some good tips, but I will copy them here just for convenience:
The first consideration is the motor’s nominal voltage. DC motor controllers tend to offer a voltage range. For example, if your motor operates at 3V nominal, you should not select a motor controller that can only control a motor between 6V and 9V. This will help you cross off some motor controllers from the list.
Once you have found a range of controllers that can power the motor with the appropriate voltage, the next consideration is the continuouscurrent the controller will need to supply.You need to find a motor controller that will provide current equal to or above the motor’s continuous current consumption under load. Should you choose a 5A motor controller for a 3A motor, the motors will only take as much current as they require. On the other hand, a 5A motors is likely to burn a 3A motor controller.
