Rebel Droids.net

I've been trying to figure out if it's possible to get omniwheels that'd work on Lego for BB-8's head in a holonomic drive.  From what I've seen it looks really challenging.  Probably need about a 2" wheel with a big diameter roller.

Anyway, while hunting, I stumbled across this interesting type of omniwheel.  Apparently it's been used in a couple droids.  It has nested big/little rollers so that the outer provide is more circular.  Looks pretty cool.  Most of the wheels I've seen, especially in smaller diameters, have a bit of a "thumping" to them as the robot drives.  This would avoid a lot of that.  (I'd have enough thumping from the Lego studs.)  Of course making this small enough is probably not very feasible.

http://hackproj.blogspot.com/2012/10/rob...heels.html


Here's an exploded wheel from the rezero ball bot:

Has anyone tried printing an omniwheel? I see a few on thingiverse, but I'd think that having PLA/ABS rollers would have a hard time working (friction). Hmm, maybe spraying with the rubber coating stuff?

(11-06-2015, 02:07 PM)kresty Wrote: [ -> ]Has anyone tried printing an omniwheel?  I see a few on thingiverse, but I'd think that having PLA/ABS rollers would have a hard time working (friction).  Hmm, maybe spraying with the rubber coating stuff?

I have.  They work pretty well, within a certain context. I agree with you that rubber rollers would be required for what you're trying to do.

I've been looking into Ninjaflex.  it looks like a good solution for a lot of different problems. I'm supposed to have some samples coming from the people that make it. I'll let you know how it all unfolds.

Some examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvxbmcxjois
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTIFs_ILu1w

I've been curious about the flexible filaments like that. Be really curious to see what you think!