View Single Post
  #22   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 01-06-2013, 14:54
Mk.32's Avatar
Mk.32 Mk.32 is offline
Registered User
AKA: Mark
FRC #2485 (W.A.R. Lords)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Rookie Year: 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 770
Mk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud of
Re: Laser Cutter And FRC

I have a similar facility that I am allowed to run around in.
http://www.makerplace.com/

They have laser cutters up to 150watt with 5x5 feet bed sizes as well as all the other CNC mill/router goodies. Personally I use very little laser cutting on the robot, and stick mostly to the CNC router to do my plastics (a good chuck of which is polycarb which is NOT laser-able in these shops). And the mills/lathes to do the metal stuff.

My experiences with laser-ing Delrin has been pretty good, running the 80 watt laser at about 70 % power and a medium cut speed I can get a clean out on 1/4 plate no problem.

In the end it's all about making what tools you/your team has work for you. I know 2102 this year had a robot that was mostly laser cut on top of an alum box frame, including wood plate gearboxes and plastic pulleys that worked out pretty good for them. You can make a FRC robot that is competitive with laser-ed cut parts.

Also 254 used to do Delrin gearbox plates, however they later switched to pocketed out Alum because it was lighter and stiffer.
__________________
Engineering mentor: Team 2485: WARLords 2013-

Team President: Team 3647 2010-2013