Best way to mount idler sprockets?

Lynxmotion Rovers, Sumo, and Tracked
1

Hey everyone, I just got my first order (of many to come) from lynxmotion. I have a project that I’m planning, and I purchased some 9 tooth sprockets, the larger of the idler hubs, and some 3" track. Now that I have everything in hand with the sprocket/idler hubs assembled, I’m curious about the typical way that these get mounted to a chassis? Do you just drill a hole in the chassis for the end bearings to fit in to, or is there some hardware that I was supposed to order? I tried to look at the pics from the tri-track assembly guide, and it makes it seem like there are just some holes for mounting, but I wanted to be sure.

Also, for the larger hubs, are the sprockets assembled back to back and on one side of the hub, like they are for the smaller ones? I ask because I assembled them both ways (the other way being with a sprocket on each side of the hub) and both ways line up great on the track. The second mounting method makes the sprocket assembly symmetric on the track, and that appeals to my OCD :slight_smile:

THanks

2

I am getting the exact same stuff you did very soon myself.

From the looks of the pictures, I am assuming that the sprockets go on the idler one on each end. (see this thread for that picture:
lynxmotion.net/viewtopic.php?t=2952 )

Also, if I am interpreting Robot Dude right, simply make a 3mm hole on two panels 2.5" apart, and the idler with its ball bearings will fit in nicely. (so, you probably want to get some 2.5" spacers.)

3

Thanks for the fast reply, you’ve answered both of my questions :smiley:

4

(I should correct myself… its 8mm for the bearing, not 3… :look :smiley:)