CHAPTER 19 ■ WHEELS
Reasons for Choosing LEGO Wheels
LEGO is very supportive of the robotic community. Their building blocks are of the finest quality and their
wheels are no exception. LEGO rubber semi-pneumatic tires and firm solid tires are made in a variety of
shapes and sizes (see Figure 19-9).
Figure 19-9. A selection of LEGO wheels
Here are some advantages of using LEGO wheels on your robot:- High quality
- Wide selection
- Classic and high-tech styles
- Relatively inexpensive at about $3 for a large wheel (new), less for smaller wheels
- Available online and at local stores
- Consistently precise sizes make for flawlessly matched pair and sets
- Interchangeable (almost all use the same size axle)
Based on all of these advantages, there’s little reason to make your own wheels. It’s very difficult to make
a perfectly round wheel with a perfectly centered hub, much less make a matching pair. Wobbly wheels
introduce tracking errors and don’t look professional.
Wooden wheels are heavy and don’t grip well. Like wooden tires, plastic tires slip because their material
also has a lower coefficient of friction than do rubber tires. Additionally, both wooden and plastic tires don’t
conform themselves to the ground, causing less friction because of reduced contact area. Silicone coatings
for treads don’t match the conforming performance or looks of molded rubber.
Making your own decent wheels is painstaking and can be quite frustrating. And what happens when
one breaks? With a LEGO wheel, they’re always available from the manufacturer or from a collector.