Re: Sheet Metal
 

And if they are performing at the top 10% you don't want to revolutionize you want to iterate. Basically, if you are doing well with what you have iterate. If you aren't then changing construction methods is not the best solution.

What I'm trying to say is play to your strengths. If you are good with laser cut wood use it. If your resources are such that welded tube is best for you than you should do that.

Re: Sheet Metal
 

Excellent point. I've posted before that our entire machine shop is a chop saw and a cheap drill press (plus access to simple lathe work.) We've done okay over the last few years with AndyMark c-channel frames and standard gear boxes. I don't even want to mention what kind of wheels we've been using...

Re: Sheet Metal
 

IMHO it doesn't help with the team if you stick to the same old construction methods year in and year out. Have the kids see what is available out in the real world. Try to bring something new to the team every year. There are a lot of sheet metal fabricators, machine shops, tube laser cutters, assembly houses, cable houses, injection molding, water jet cutters, etc that are more than willing to help out. A team just has to find a fab sponsor and ask for some help/supervision constructing their robot.

If you want to teach kids about engineering yes you do start with a drill press and chop saw but in the end you want them to know how to design and build a robot using a 5 axis tube cutting laser using the latest in CAD technology.

Re: Sheet Metal
 

Obviously, sheet metal does open up a slew of options, especially in manipulators. Our team likes to do everything ourselves, partly contributing to our limited machining capabilities. We definitely won't go full sheet metal this year, but for future years, does any team that have a brake suggest any models or companies of brakes. Preferably on the cheaper side though.

Re: Sheet Metal
 

I wouldn't trust anyone to design for a 5-axis anything if they can't make something work with simple tools and simple ideas first.

Designing in sheet metal (or in composites or plastics or for five-axis mills) isn't the silver bullet that will make a team's robots work.

Just a difference of opinion, really, but I think building simple, successful robots is a better path than building pretty, heavy paperweights.

Re: Sheet Metal
 

The point was that laser cut panels are not required to build a quality robot. The quality in the robot comes from the decision making process and the design that follows. That is the part of engineering I want the students to learn. Also, you can use the latest CAD technology on c-channel robots (search for some of the images I've posted.)

Re: Sheet Metal
 

I think the actual point was that it is important for teams to try new things. Not because its going to make them win, but rather because they will learn new things that applicable beyond just FIRST. A team that never tries to push their own capabilities and try new things will never improve.

Re: Sheet Metal
 

I don't recall anyone saying never to push boundaries. Only that you should push the boundaries where you are rather than driving across the country to probe the boundaries over there. I don't wanna see any teams tossing out 5 years of experience, equipment, and sponsors that did welded tube because sheet is "hip" or cool. I'd rather see them iterate what they know. Maybe add in new capabilities.