top of page
Intermediate Level 1
Lesson 2
All Aboard the Drivetrain!
Robots function using a variety of mechanical parts including drivetrains.
Step 1: Let's learn about
Drivetrains!
A drivetrain is all of the parts that make up the base of the robot that allow it to be mobile.
Parts of a Simple Drivetrain
Chassis
the structure of a robot that holds all the pieces together such as motors & wheels
2 Motors
Gears
that transfer power from the
4 Wheels
to the
If you need a refresher on how Gears work click this button
Step 2: What is Turning Scrub?
Turning scrub is the friction that resists turning !
If you try to make a sharp turn while driving a toy car and you feel the dragging of the wheels on the ground, that is turning scrub. If the turning scrub is higher, it is harder for the Drivetrain to turn.
Step 3: How to minimize Turning Scrub?
Check to ensure the distance between the wheels on the drivetrain is wider for wheels left to right than for wheels front to back!
Wider=
Less Turning Scrub
Mixing different wheels and tire types helps to create less turning scrub.
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
Step 4: What is a Motor?
A motor is a type of actuator. Actuators are parts that move and control a mechanism.
Motors do that by taking electrical power from the battery and turning it into mechanical power!
Like how the motor controls the wheels to make your robot move!
You see this happen when you start a program on your robot, and the wheels turn!
bottom of page