Quote:
Originally Posted by Munchskull
I love the versa frame. My only is issue with it is the fact that it uses 5/32 rivets. What my team chose to do was by the gussets and then make the tube with a cnc. I however see us cnc plasmaing the gussets next year to save money and all allow for 3/16 rivets. I am just such a big fan that I design custom drivetrains after it.
|
It takes way more effort to CNC plasma cut gussets than it does to drill out COTS gussets for a larger hole size. Especially because you'll probably already have to drill the plasma cut gussets out to get the hole size just right. We just have new students drill out gussets for us when we use COTS gussets.
We're lucky to have a sponsor with a sheet metal laser cutter and CNC brake, so all of our flat parts this year that were 1/8" thick or less were cut by them. Saved us a little money in exchange for a week of turnaround time.
We've never had rivets come loose, except for 5/32nd rivets installed on areas exposed to robot impacts. We use a mixture of 3/16th aluminum and 3/16th "high strength" aluminum rivets on our robots. Ensuring proper installation (properly drilled holes, rivets as flush with the plate as possible, installation of several rivets per part) is a big help, and creates a joint that is both more rigid and lighter than some bolted joints can be.