Design and Manufacturing of a Mecanum Wheel for the Magnetic Climbing Robot

Abstract

An AndyMark Mecanum Wheel has been re-designed for better performance and utilization by Helical Robotics. Mecanum Wheel is a complex "Omni-Directional" wheel that currently contains several drawbacks. The drawbacks include design, usage of hobby grade material, bumps in rollers, etc. A comprehensive design of the Mecanum wheel is being presented using Computer Aid Software, CAD and analysis tools, such as Finite Element Analysis, FEA. The different concepts were hand sketched using various parameters and then implemented in a CAD software-- CATIA. The Mecanum Wheel's feasibility was thoroughly studied through ANSYS software. Load analysis was performed using various materials and several manufacturing processes carefully, to check the achievability of the wheel. In conclusion, the Mecanum wheel was successfully re-designed and manufactured to meet the requirements and specifications of Helical Robotics.