Quote:
Originally Posted by Sperkowsky
The L bracket idea works good for us currently. Quick question. We are currently trying to get a welding sponsor. Would welding these work well?
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I'll go ahead and throw in my two cents about how to attach those side plates. I would not weld those on, for a couple of reasons.
First off, what material are these plates being made out of? My first guess would be 6061-T6 aluminum, but it could be several different alloys depending on your water-jet sponsor's resources (and generosity) and your needs. Depending on which material you choose, you may not be able to weld it whatsoever. Secondly, you'd probably have to remove all of the pocketing around the area you'd want to weld just to ensure there is no weakening of the plate itself due to the weld. Also, having to send off this assembly to another sponsor would most likely increase your turn-around time quite a bit, for only a few small welds.
My suggestion would be to cut out these side plates and then bend them into a U-bracket of sorts (you mentioned you had brakes). Again, you have to consider your material considerations for the plates you're bending, but that constraint only applies to the side plates themselves. Also, if you design the side plates so they mount using the holes you're already using for the standoffs, you can get away with only changing the design of the side plates.
However, if you go down this path, you have to have pretty accurate bends. If you incorporate some guiding grooves into the design of the side plates and you have members who are pretty careful, you can get away with a hand brake, but it is another thing to consider.