Torque & Inertia calculation for a wheel

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the torque required to rotate a wheel for a monorail robot weighing approximately 30 kg, with wheels 10-15 cm in diameter. Key factors include the force due to gravity (m*g), the concept of torque as a "force couple" or "pure moment," and the importance of inertia in the calculations. Participants emphasize the need to consider acceleration in addition to overcoming friction, suggesting that the required torque will exceed frictional forces, especially on smooth surfaces.

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  • Understanding of torque and its calculation methods
  • Basic principles of dynamics and inertia
  • Familiarity with force calculations (m*g)
  • Knowledge of rolling resistance and its impact on wheel performance
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George_J
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Hello!

Before I start I want to apologize for my english and not having a scanner (lol).

I'm calculating the torque needed to rotate a wheel* around its own axis from above, ( see the link at the end of post). I have quite an good idea to how I'm supposed to calculate it but I feel that something is missing.
10if1jk.jpg


My picture explains it in a very simplistic matter, the wheel is intersecting the ground just to magnify the contact surface and the wheel is also bearing a Force (m*g) and also a torque. The contact surface I explained as a simple rectangle with a center, the longest path is from the center to one of the corners, will be the lever for the torque applied. I hope my picture explains it better than I do. The path can be calculated easily with Pythagoras and the Torque in this case is called ''force couple'' or ''pure moment'' , sadly I don't know the exact name since I'm studying in Swedish. & with that I can calculate the power needed for this rotation.

The purpose is to purchase a motor that can handle the torque/power. I could always just buy a very strong motor but that is not the purpose of my ''research''. But anyhow I really think something is missing here. The inertia perhaps ? I can't put my finger on it and I'm very bad at dynamics..

I have datasheets to all available motors, which includes their torque, inertia and much more, I just need some hints in what is missing in my calculation..
For those wondering I'm building a monorail robot, and it should approximately weigh 30ish kg. The wheels are supposed to be 10-15 cm in diameter.

Now I humbly ask for your help, and I hope I don't come over as an arrogant person asking such a big favor..

* http://www.cleaningshop.com.au/contents/media/l_19097_utility_cart_wheels.jpg
(This picture is not accurate the axis of the wheel will be aligned with the wheels center. As of now anyway.)
 
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Hello George, and :welcome:

What I am missing here is the required acceleration: the torque not only has to overcome friction, but also has to provide some useful acceleration I suppose. If the wheels are any good and the surface is smooth, I expect the acceleration to need more torque than the friction !

I don't follow the way you (ab?)use the extensiveness of the contact surface. Better to assume its size doesn't come into the calculations.
 
Someone somewhere will have written a paper on the rolling resistance of a bicycle wheel and how it's affected by tyre pressure.
 

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