Pros -

Torque, speed control and transfer of power over a distance (assuming 1:1 gear ratios).

Cons -

Gear lash increases error in positioning. If you are gearing down to increase torque you run the risk of damaging Lego pieces if the gear train binds up. 

Summary -

Advanced systems try to use direct drive and eliminate gearing, but often suffer from lack of torque. Servos like in the NXT package are a good compromise as they use closed loop feedback to mitigate the error present in the internal gearing of the servo. I show the kids how changing gear ratios can trade off speed for torque or transfer power. So far they like to stick hubs directly on the servo, and unless there is a compelling reason KISS applies when applying a gear train. This past summer we did Lego sumo and they got to see first hand how gearing could make a big difference in pushing something out of the ring.

Hope this helps!

Charles Bundy
Mechanical Monkeys – 05987



From: Hemamalini Manapakkam 
Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2010 6:50 PM
To: [log in to unmask] 
Subject: [VADCFLL-L] GearsVsNoGears

Hi All,

Can anyone give the pros and cons of using gears in their robo.

Thanks in advance.

Technobots

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