Servo - December 2013

option for foam wheel mounting. These aluminum hubs use a main body with a slide-on plate to compress the foam wheel and a snap ring to hold it all together. These hubs allow for quick tread changes should the tread be worn or damaged, and are still very light weight. The design of these hubs also allows for a wide range of shaft sizes as the hub can be bored out to fit whatever size shaft your gearmotor of choice uses. This hub does put the shaft more at risk of damage since it doesn't absorb as much energy as the Lite Flite/Lite hub combo.

However, the hub is small enough that it is possible to protect the hub from impacts without sacrificing too much weight.

Lite Flite With Dave's Hub

Diameter:

1. 5-5 inches

Tread Width:

0.710-1.5

Weight: 9 g (hub only)

Cost: $20.99

(pair, hubs only)

Comments: Dave's Hub and the Snap hubs interface with the foam wheel in essentially the same manner, but the means of doing so on the Dave's Hub (compression plate screwed to hub) does limit the length of the shaft, making it impossible to support the shaft on the outside of the wheel. Some gearmotors are able to handle that sort of load, but if you do need to support your shaft you'll have to do it between the gearbox and the wheel.

West Coast Products Live Axle Hub

Diameter: 3-6 inches

Tread Width: 1.5 inches

Weight: 0.15 lb (hub only)

Cost: $7.99

Comments:

This live axle hub is designed specifically for a

1/2" hex shaft instead of the more common keyed round shaft. Like the NPC drive wheel, this hub uses a Colson Performa wheel that has had the hub pressed into it. If you decide that you want either a gearbox or driven shaft with a hex output, this is one of the only options. The design is simple and robust, so if your design calls for this form of mounting it should be a reliable and low cost option.