[AndyB]

Originally Posted by Chris_Elston

It's not as heavy as you think. Our whole tube frame was somewhere around 36 lbs I think. I am not for sure on that. But I was very impressed. The biggest down fall of the tubing was the welding. We had one mentor and two students that could weld it, the process was a bit slower than 10 guys with rivets guns for sure, but I can't complain, the end result was amazing to me.

I am not an M.E. I am a Controls Engineer. About the extend of my cad is AutoCad Electrical 2008 (<<<--use to be VIA, until AutoDesk bought them out) and I like Google Sketchup. I like Sketchup and have been learning the concept of 3-D drawing, maybe that will carry over to Inventor, if I ever have a need to use it. So far, drawings electrical prints in 3D some how doesn't fit into my schedule so far :-)

Although I wonder if the electricans would freak out if I gave them a 3D wiring diagram???? hmmm.....

For the past 4 years we have used chromoly steel (.035 thick) tubing for our robot frame. It is slightly heavier than aluminum and is 3 times as strong.

Pics:
04: http://www.cooneyrobotics.com/photos/2006/100_0277.JPG
05: http://www.cooneyrobotics.com/photos/2004/2004-7.jpg
06: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/23825
07: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/28616

Where we buy it:http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...4130square.php
(Correct me if I'm wrong Ricky)

The frame you see for the 07 bot weighs around 12.5lbs