Best of: Polycarbonate
 

I think polycarbonate is pretty awesome. So let's see some different ways people have used it!

I'll start it off with a photo of our gripper this year. It worked quite well, and was basically indestructible.

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

Check out any of Team 1714's robots. They construct the whole robot out of polycarbonate, including the frame.

(I can't believe I beat Chris is me to this.:) )

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

We built the majority of the super structure of our 2009 robot from Polycarbonate. Worked well enough, looked pretty good, the only issue we ever had with it was excessive deflection if hit just right.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/32793

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

Even the wheels in Breakaway

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/sea.../890344?page=1

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

1714's 2010 robot was definitely a work of art. Their best robot thus far. I never got a chance to see high quality photos of it though. :(

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

1714's swerve module is pretty cool...

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=78769

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

I think this discussion must include the 190 all polycarb robot from 2006.

This is the best photo I found on CD.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/25793

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

Seems as though 190 has a long history of using polycarb... check out there hopper/scoring system from 2009:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/33245

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

190 2004 comes to mind as well. Their polycarb bar blockers were pretty effective--and they had polycarb sides. Don't remember what their arm was, though.

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

In 2009 we (955) made a polycarb revolver that I thought was pretty neat.
http://www.cvhsrobotics.net/images/raiderbot8.jpg

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

A few things that has always interested me is teams that do all polycarbonate robots...First, what percent of the robot must be made out of a material to say that it is entirely made of the material? Obviously the motors and fasteners are still going to be different materials but is there a generally accepted limit? Secondly, what is the motive? Is it purely material benefits? A great deal with the sponsor? or even just the added challenge in designing around the material? Just something that has always made me curious.

Jason

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

Well I can't speak for all teams, but I know that 1714 works in American Acrylics, and can use most (if not all) of their tools/machines, which are made to cut plastics. Additionally, I'm guessing they have access to the scrap bin and can prototype/build pieces easily/cheaply using those materials (I know that, after doing some other projects with them that the scrap bin can be fair game)(but don't quote me on that). So in their case its easier because when they started, they had the tools already and didn't have to find a shop (the owner of AA is also a founding mentor) and its much cheaper for them to get the material (be it because the sponsor buys it in bulk anyways for work or some other reason)(but that's pure speculation).

However, I've only visited their shop and don't know the fine details... (Sorry 1714 if I got anything wrong).

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

That's pretty close to dead on, Katie. Everyone always says to play to your resources in FRC - and 1714's resources line up with thick polycarbonate.

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

we used a lexan minibot deployer. it was just some jetted sheet with a pattern that made it fit together like a puzzle. super light and incredibly strong.

I like smoked lexan

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

We dont use metal for structural parts, the frame is entirely polycarb. If we have an option to make a piece out of plastic, or even better, clear plastic, we do it.
www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/34998
If you look closely, you'll notice we even made clear wheels.
Aside from our great resources to work with plastics, we also do it because it is cool. It has always been a goal to be as clear as possible, and our robots have become clearer every year. If you ever get a chance to visit our pits, you will also see the clear isnt limited to the robot, we have clear toolboxes, as well as an awesome clear battery charging station

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

It is nice to see some transparency in a group for once. Seriously though, thanks for explaining it to me. I've heard arguments by teams that argue for all wood robots and thought motives might be similar. Turns out they are completely different.

Sorry if the pun was too bad, I couldn't resist.

Jason

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

On this robot we also made clear sprockets and a clear ratchet gear for the kicker. One day I would like to see us try to make a clear transmission, gears and all. We took the first step with this robot. We used an AndyMark 2 speed transmission, removed the metal side plates and made clear ones.

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

That we do, polycarbonate is used for major features on almost every one of our robots. The 2003 robot deserves to be added to the list of cool polycarbonate features.

As does 2007 (some of you may be very confused at this mention). By far the most recognizable feature of the Goat-Dactyl were the giant sheet-metal ramps, but one of the most important features on them were the almost invisible anti-rollback devices. You can see one just above the painted numbers, and they served to keep our partners above 4" in the event that the ramps didn't lift properly or in time. We relied on the toughness of the material to survive repeated robot impacts and the many many cycles of use.

We also used the insulating properties of the material to house the custom high-power slip ring at the base of the turret in 2008.

2011 used polycarbonate wings as an alignment device for the tower base. Because they extended well beyond the frame perimeter when deployed, not only were they designed to align the robot in a full-speed (12fps) collision with the tower, but they also had to withstand the force of a worst-case collision with another robot. Polycarbonate was the only material both light enough and tough enough for the job.

It's a wonderful engineering material for it's toughness and machinability. Unlike aluminum or steel, polycarbonate will deflect elastically to absorb the energy, which means it will return to it's original shape. This is great in applications that are likely to see high impact forces, since it will not dent or kink permanently under forces that would do the same to aluminum.

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

Additionally 190's 2011 robot had a polycarbonate claw, both the structure/sides and the pulleys for the pulleys for the polycord. The minibot was also entirely polycarb. But both of these uses were pretty common this year.

2k7 had a polycarb claw, also.

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

It's certainly a cool material. I've considered using it in many places that teams use sheet metal now, since you can get it thicker for the same weight and it deflects under load (elasticity). If you need it to be more solid you just add a flange.

I've been meaning to CAD a polycarbonate drivetrain lately. You might see it in a few days.

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

Take a look at 703. I know their 2007 DT has some good pictures up here. They use a polycarb DT every year it seems. It is pretty but it is really thick stuff.

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

Wait. See a polycarbonate drivetrain? :D (Highlight the blank.)



Actually, one of the best uses of polycarb has to be this little gem. Even though it isn't used on a robot necessarily...

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

One word of warning on the PC drivetrain is that because of the elastic deflection, large hits have a tendency to throw the chain if you're not careful with your construction. This was a serious problem on our 2003 and 2006 robots (mentioned above). Our 2006 drive team considered it a miracle if the robot made it through a match with all the chains still on.

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

Always a big problem. You really have to overbuild a polycarbonate chassis to make it take those hits effectively.

Though in the advent of bumpers, this has been less of an issue.

Re: Best of: Polycarbonate
 

Reported.