Re: Chassis-Team 772 2011 offseason
 

I uploaded another one but this one may not be better. It may have better resolution. I dont have solidworks working on the computer im on right now. I need to reinstall it. As soon as that is fixed i will upload a better image

Re: Chassis-Team 772 2011 offseason
 

Thanks, the PDF was better.

Alright so first things first, looks like you've got a solid overall design, now it just needs some adjustment.

Start by making the front and back plates outside of all the sideplates. This will allow you to make your driverail plates all symmetrical parts and you'll only need two unique parts for this frame (1. front and back, 2. driverails). After you make all the siderails just one part, you can sandwich them all between the front and back, unlike your current design.

Next up, you could add flanges to the bottom portions of the siderails for added strength instead of just on the top and sides.

After that, you'll want to make the mounting holes for all the parts so you can rivet/bolt however you see fit. If you're waterjetting or lasercutting, you don't neccessarily need to add filets to each of the trusses but you will definitely need filets for any pocketing surrounding bearing/mounting holes. So you might as well filet all the trusses.

Once you've got those things down post up an update. Looks like you're getting there.

Re: Chassis-Team 772 2011 offseason
 

I urge you to read through all the posts in this thread

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/35696

That was the first sheetmetal chassis I tried to make, so the information people posted in there is very valuable, I know it helped me a ton. Since then, I've been lucky enough to learn from people like James Tonthat, Sean Cantrell, all of JVN's CAD as well as from my current employer about sheetmetal design.

Re: Chassis-Team 772 2011 offseason
 

You could also save a bunch of material by getting rid of the trapezoids at the bottom of each side plate. Move the axle holes and transmission mounts upward some; this will reduce your ground clearance and make it easier to mount bumpers in the typically legal bumper zone.

Re: Chassis-Team 772 2011 offseason
 

Thanks I read through the thread. And yea it help me understand some other things.

And i have to admit i thought that was a picture of the real chassis :P

Re: Chassis-Team 772 2011 offseason
 

As you may have noticed, there are no sprockets for chain yet (mainly cause i wasnt done). but after reading a few threads regarding chain vs belts, it made me wonder, which one i should choose. I read the page about chain vs belt, but would belt be that big of an advantage for FRC teams? Should I try using belts for the prototype or stay away from them?

Re: Chassis-Team 772 2011 offseason
 

There's no harm in trying something new. The big advantages can be less maintenance once installed and weight savings.

Re: Chassis-Team 772 2011 offseason
 

Im guessing i should put them in the design first :P then decide from there lol :)

I'll update the design next week, im not home for the weekend.

Re: Chassis-Team 772 2011 offseason
 

I missed this post by Madison, but I totally agree with it. Unless the game requires climbing something, you can do away with the bottom trapezoids and just move everything up about an inch and a half. Something similar to this

Re: Chassis-Team 772 2011 offseason
 

Belts also require quite a bit more planning ahead, but you obviously are doing that already with the sheet metal, so it wouldn't take much to design for them instead of chain.

Re: Chassis-Team 772 2011 offseason
 

Right now, I am redoing the design. I a=have finished the sheet metal improvements and i am starting the Belts. But I cant find where to find the belt pulleys to put on the chassis, we are sponsored by Gates so that would be preferred. Which pulley's and belts size (width) should be good for the drive train, and how big should the pulley's be, or does it even matter, if there's no change in sizes?