pic: Battered, but still going strong
 

Re: pic: Battered, but still going strong
 

Wow! We actually had something similar happen to our frame. We had to use a 2x4 and a c-clamp to help get it back into shape!

We're going to be watching you guys next week at DC and pulling for you!

Re: pic: Battered, but still going strong
 

A single sheet of sheet metal? no box frame? I'm not surprised at that damage.

Re: pic: Battered, but still going strong
 

I'm with Daniel_LaFleur. Thin, machined-away, unprotected sheet metal? What did you expect to happen if the corner of a 150 lb robot hits it at 10-12 FPS???

Obviously wouldn't look as cool covered by a bumper, seems that the decision was made that looks are more important than strength..

Re: pic: Battered, but still going strong
 

I'm in agreement with the above. It seems that you didn't take into account the amount of defense that would occur.

Re: pic: Battered, but still going strong
 

This was no robot corner (remember - corners have bumpers) this was from getting shoved into the edge of the low goal. And our decision was that looks were important as well as strength. Hotbot14 never failed, entered every match 100% capable and ready, and turned heads all the while.

The main reason for that section being open (no bumper) was to give the ball a centering place for pushing. The machining came afterward because of the opening. We considered redoing the bumpers solid across the front for next weekend, but decided it was not necessary.

Re: pic: Battered, but still going strong
 

I don't know your manufacturing capabilities or design plans, but adding a 90 degree flange would've made this much stronger for not much additional weight or complexity.

Re: pic: Battered, but still going strong
 

I understand that it was unprotected metal and we didn't anticipate the bending, but it also isn't a big deal. We didn't make the bumpers go the whole way across to give a spot for the ball to settle in. Yes, we will fix it and reinforce it but it's not that big of a deal.

Re: pic: Battered, but still going strong
 

If strength is as important as the looks then you probably should use angle aluminum instead of flat stock. You could still cut out that detail (as that really doesn't weaken the structure compared to not having a ridge for support).

This game is a rough game, but looking at the design of your robot, I would have expected that damage if you ran into the corner of the low goal without being pushed.

Oh, and the only reason bumpers across the front MIGHT have helped is because it would disperse the load across the front of the bot. But I'm not sure that it would have PREVENTED the damage as the wood would have flexed under the load of a robot pushing you.

This should be a lesson to all: Build it robust and expect forces in directions not normal to the robots own movement.

Re: pic: Battered, but still going strong
 

Thank you for the comments - but you are missing the point a bit. Just because a piece becomes bent does not mean that the robot is not robust. And you have honestly not looked at the design of our robot - you saw the picture of the front that I posted. There is a 45 degree break across this sheet metal a bit below the logo - it provided significant structural rigidity.

No, we did not expect an eight inch section of frame to be vulnerable enough to get bent this way, but we're not complaining or apologetic. Like Marshall said above (by the way, his team's first pick inflicted some of that abuse - we still love you anyway) we'll grab a block of wood and some clamps and it will look great again.

I actually posted the picture to join the "show you battle scars" thread, but this discussion took off before I had a chance. Just trying to join in on the fun....Gees!:ahh:

Re: pic: Battered, but still going strong
 

Sorry, mate. I did not mean to offend.

I was only hoping to illustrate to other (less mentored) teams how forces unrelated to the movement of your own robot can be damaging and that those need to be taken into account (especially in this years game).

Good luck in your next regional and keep up the FIRST (we'll just bang it out with a 2x4) spirit :D