pic: 1618, as shipped

[Billfred]

[cdm-description=photo]30520[/cdm-description]

[tdlrali]

Wow, that is some serious PVC. Are you sure you can't use smaller PVC, or aluminium?

[wilsonmw04]

I love PVC therefore i love this bot! We did something similar last year.
http://www.goochlandrobotics.com/TheRobot/FRC2007/tabid/133/Default.aspx

[Billfred]

Wow, that is some serious PVC. Are you sure you can't use smaller PVC, or aluminium?
The PVC you see there is 1.5" for the rails and back, and 2" on the forks. We chose it for a few reasons:

a) 2" PVC has proven itself to take copious amounts of abuse on the field in the past. (Just ask Beatty.)
b) PVC structures are easily assembled with the tools available to us. We have done other materials, yes--the original back had us using galvanized steel, which was discarded after getting bent in practice--but PVC structures (and wood as well; consider our electrical board here (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/30342)) are easier for us to build, modify, and repair in our shop. Faster changes and repairs, in our case, means more chances at the problem.
c) One of our sponsors is the local True Value. As a result, we were able to get most of it donated--and, more importantly for us, get it quickly.

There are still some changes that could stand to be made, but we're trying to avoid a fourth consecutive trip down Flying Brick Avenue. (Not that that hasn't worked out well for us (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/29231) in the past (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/28073), mind you.) Chesapeake ought to be fun.