I've been advocating that our teams integrate the plywood bumpers into the robot chassis structure. With good quality plywood (
plywood article ) and good joinery, the plywood could contribute much more to the chassis structure than hanging on a metal frame. The arguments against have been:
- Would require skirts for quick change of colors and skirts don't work
- The attachment to the chassis would require much work to remove and reinstal for weigh-in
- Would look amateur
- "Nobody else does that" (not necessarily a bad thing IMO)
- "Judges won't like it"
I could certainty be missing something but if passes rules, could have the following benefits:
- Approx 5 lbs of structure is free and save weight in chassis
- Jointed corners would provide excellent racking strength
- Wood takes impacts well; particularly high quality grades
- Wood is relatively easy to work
- There are more skilled carpenters around than machinists
Think glued, dovetailed rigid perimeter that slips over and fastens to interior chassis.