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Unread 11-11-2007, 21:35
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ChuckDickerson ChuckDickerson is offline
Mentor / Bayou & CMP Division LRI
FRC #0456 (Siege Robotics)
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Join Date: May 2004
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Location: Vicksburg, MS
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Re: Cool Frame Ideas?

Quote:
Originally Posted by M. Krass View Post
I didn't even think that it would be produced by the same folks that market the T-slot extrusion. Thanks.

Has anyone used these connectors with more conventional 1x1x.0625" tubing? I'd rather not need special tubing when I've got a local supplier for metal stock and a few dozen feet sitting in the workshop already.
Madison et al.

We have used 80/20 QuickFrame extensively for the last two years. We haven't used it for the chassis but for most all of the other structural components. It is really great stuff and easy to work with. All you need is a miter saw and a rubber mallet. If you want to take it apart heat the aluminum near the connector with a propane torch to expand the aluminun just a little and then the connector will usually slide right out to be reused. The only downside is the plastic connectors aren't exactly light and can start to add up if you are trying to squeze out that extra pound or two of weight budget. We bought a bunch of stock and connectors in 2006 and will probably need to restock some this year. I don't know where everyone else buys their 80/20 material but we went through our regional distributor and they gave us quite a nice educational discount. IIRC it was something like 40% and I was under the impression this was the standard 80/20 discount for all FIRST teams.

As far as using the connectors with standard 1" thin walled square tubing I really don't think it will work. The 1" square 80/20 QuickFrame tubing is specially fitted for the connectors. It has longitudinal ribbing inside that forms a friction lock with the plastic connectors. This is sort of the secret to the whole system. The internal dimensions of the QuickFrame tubing is slightly smaller (thicker walled than standard 1" thin wall box tubing) so if you try to insert a QuickFrame connector into standard 1" thin walled box tubing the connector will just fall out (too loose). The tubing isn't really that expensive though. IIRC the standard 1" QuickFrame box tubing was about $10-$11 per 12 foot (145") piece after the discount. They also have tubing with flanges on the side in different arrangements for putting panels in, etc. We purchased some but didn't really use the flanges much and often just cut them off to save weight.

One trick we found was to drill a hole in the end of the tube through into the connector and put a pop rivet in on any connectors you REALLY don't want to back out. This trick is rarely needed but is cheap (and light) insurance.

There are also 80/20 "transition" connectors available to use QuickFrame in combination with 1010 series where needed.

Search CD media photos for our team number "456" and there are 4 photos, 2 of our 06 and 2 of our 07 (1 lifting our 06) robot showing lots of use of 80/20 QuickFrame.

Oh yeah, we have used the KitBot frame for the last two years but the QuickFrame matches perfectly to the 1/4" 1" spaced hole pattern of the KitBot frame if you use the little base connector (part number 9140(gray) or 9240 (black)).

Hope this helps. Any more questions just ask.

Edit: I forgot the mention that 80/20 QuickFrame isn't really made by 80/20 but rather by Esto.

Last edited by ChuckDickerson : 11-11-2007 at 21:45.