Cordura - Which side out?
 

For those of you who used the actual recommended Cordura, and bought it on a roll, which side did you put facing outward? The inside of the roll or the outside? It's very strange how both sides drastically change color in different lighting conditions and viewing angles.

Re: Cordura - Which side out?
 

The uncoated side it what we put on the outside.
I think the coating would stick to the coating on other bumpers, and just doesn't look as good.

Re: Cordura - Which side out?
 

I am pretty sure that the coating is important for the protection of whatever you put on the inside of the cordura. We also tested this because we had the same question. We tried to stab both sides and the coated side was stronger in our tests. I don't think that the coating would stick to other robots either. But I am not entirely sure about that. If you want 100% accurate information, you should probably contact the cordura provider that you bought from.

Re: Cordura - Which side out?
 

The more I look at it, I'm putting the side that faces the inside of the roll, as the outside of the bumper. I think they roll it this way to protect that surface during transport. Also, I think it looks better this way (at least in my terrible lighting here). I think the side I'm putting out is this "uncoated" side you speak of.

Re: Cordura - Which side out?
 

Cordura is a durable tough fabric. The key word is fabric. I understand that we are using it for bumpers, but I would put the fabric side out with the team number on it, and the slick side in towards the pool noodles.

I'm including a link to Cordura, so that you can see other uses for tough fabric, such as luggage. It also shows a close-up of the weave of the fabric on the home page.

Jane

Edit: I just called one of the companies to confirm what I am suggesting. The slick or 'coated' side goes to the inside. The woven fabric side is the 'right side out'. In other words, if we were making a jacket, the coated side would not be the side that people see when we wear the jacket. Have I totally confused you? If so, my apologies.

Re: Cordura - Which side out?
 

Thanks Jane. I've got it going the right way, that confirms it for me. I guess my light here is so bad that I really couldn't tell at first.

Re: Cordura - Which side out?
 

I didn't even look at it until i have both sets covered and you guessed it, I put one set with coating in and one set with coating out. Looks better with coating in. Too late to change it now.

Re: Cordura - Which side out?
 

There is no rule on which side faces out. The smoother side is usually glued to a backing material when used for luggage.

Re: Cordura - Which side out?
 

Our bumpers feature the coated surface out. This gave them a nice shiny finish and some specific bumper properties that we wanted. ;)

I concur with Al. There is no rule. And therefore either way is ok.

Re: Cordura - Which side out?
 

typically they are shiny side out

Re: Cordura - Which side out?
 

The shiny side is easier to paint, or so I have heard.

Re: Cordura - Which side out?
 

I have found that the non-coated side looks better, works better with paint (it doesn't chip as easily), and doesn't collect sawdust as much.

Re: Cordura - Which side out?
 

Also, for teams that intend on sliding up the tower during the finale, think about friction properties...