View Single Post
  #12   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 04-12-2014, 10:37
pfreivald's Avatar
pfreivald pfreivald is offline
Registered User
AKA: Patrick Freivald
FRC #1551 (The Grapes of Wrath)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Rookie Year: 2001
Location: Naples, NY
Posts: 2,296
pfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Structural Framing Strength?

We've used Bosch Rexroth for linear motion applications--their drive carriage is fantastic. 30x30 is overkill for most applications, though.

The kitbot drivetrain is sufficiently good that I certainly wouldn't use structural framing for it....

...and for upper mechanical work, with limited manufacturing capabilities I don't think you can go too far wrong using square tube stock, L-stock, and clinch nuts (aka rivnuts aka rivet nuts aka threaded inserts). A couple of bags of 10-32 clinch nuts, a thread setter (the tool used to install them), 10-32 socket head cap screws, and some 19/64 drill bits will go a long way toward cheap, do-it-yourself, easy-to-modify-and-install "structural framing" that is versatile for prototyping, and easy to lock in place with a little Loctite for use on a competition robot.

It takes a more effort than an off-the-shelf solution but is far cheaper and lightweight, it isn't as lightweight or as sophisticated as CnC sheet metal fabrication but requires virtually zero expertise and is more modular. It's a happy medium between the two that I wish I'd known about as a rookie.
__________________
Patrick Freivald -- Mentor
Team 1551
"The Grapes of Wrath"
Bausch & Lomb, PTC Corporation, and Naples High School

I write books, too!