Miniture metal chain

Ok, since my last question proved to be so easy, Riddle me this!

Chain for power transmission is easy to find. Even multi-strand chain is very common. One project I've been working on for months is a Radio Controlled HAZMAT Rover and this Rover needs metal tracks / treads.

(I've added photos in a folder called "Rover needs metal treads" at the User group site.)

Inuktun Services ( http://www.inuktun.com/ ) of Naniamo, British Columbia has many outstanding designs far more advanced than mine. Their designs are wire controlled while mine is Radio Controlled. Problem is that both their design as well as mine rely on rubber treads that melt at relatively low temperatures. At search and recovery efforts at the WTC, Inuktun lost one of their rovers when the treads melted. All other robots made it out ok and were key in rescuing victims. for more on this, check out the CRASAR website ( http://www.csee.usf.edu/robotics/crasar/ ).

I've been searching for metal treads with no luck. I thought of using miniature bicycle type chain and ideally, multi-strand miniature chain. problem is that that most chain is simply too big and heavy.

During a tour of C & G Research ( http://candgresearch.domainvalet.com/ ) I spotted some unusually small power transmission chain. By the way, the tour and talk with Chuck, head of C&G Research was incredibly enlightening and impressive. Chuck is obviously a master CNC Machinist and Design Engineer! Very nice custom work, Chuck!

So, I've plowed my way through all the links you sent (Many thanks to you all!) but I haven't found that supplier of light weight multi-strand chain that can be used as robot tracks. What do you think, folks? Do you know of that supplier who makes unusually small and light weight multi strand chain? Any ideas on a better design? I want to stick with tracks / treads because of their incredible climbing and turning power. Let me know your thoughts and thanks for all your help!

Scott


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