Re: crate design and construction
 

Im pretty sure FedEx limits you to a maximum size that they'll accept for free shipping. You should be able to find this size in last years Manual.

Re: crate design and construction
 

I seen the rules, in last years PDF. But that wasn't what I was asking. What size crate did you guys build? I assume not everyone builds the MAXIMUM size of 4ft x 4ft do they? I heard one team built a crate 32" x 36" x 60". That's under the maximum size, but is that REALLY big enough for a robot, some tools, a dolly cart? I was simply asking a question about what other teams have built.

Re: crate design and construction
 

I misunderstood your post, so thanks for correcting me. It all depends on what you're actually putting inside the crate. Since you seem to be intending to store extras like a dolly and tools, you'll probably want to go for the 4 foot wide at least, possibly 4 foot long as well. Height though is completely dependant on the height of your robot and the height of your other things. I realize that doesn't really answer your question but I don't know specifically how much stuff you are actually taking, how big those items are (dolly for example, so I can't give you specific numbers to use. It's gonna have to be a judgement call. Just try to leave some leeway to make it easier to get the robot inside the crate.

Re: crate design and construction
 

Yeah it's a tough call. I know what you mean, hence why I was hoping to get more people to respond to this post.

We are trying to build our crate BEFORE the kickoff, but without knowing how high the robot will be, it's hard to build a crate before the kickoff. So I was trying to get an idea for the team what other teams have done.

Have you used the same crate over and over years past?

If so, then the height you have must be big enough for all the robots that your team has built in the years past?

Re: crate design and construction
 

yes, we have re-used our crate, so the height is large enoguh to accomodate any robot we're going to build. I would do the same, if for no other reason than not knowing what design you will use for '05. As a generall rule, a margine of 3-5 inches arount the footprint of each item would probably serve your purposes (you'd have to build it right and be able to take off the side walls, which you'd want to do anyway). You also might want to make a fair sized spot to throw spares and other things in...That should work. Worst comes to worse though, you could transport the tools another way.

Re: crate design and construction
 

Ours was actually too large so we had to cut it down to size when Fed Ex changed what size crates they were willing to take for free, so it's at the maximum size.

It makes it easy to put the robot, cart, some tools, batteries, control system, etc into the crate.