[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Wayne C.

And one other thing-

we built our bumpers to the exact specs in the manual. We only covered 3 of 4 sides of the robot. Why would they weigh 16.5 lbs? The only way anyone's bumpers seemed to be passing inspection and making weight was to remove the angle aluminum that the manual tells us to put on them. We did so and had a half pound to spare.

If we had 4 bumpers and built them exactly as the manual prescribes they would never be able to pass the weight test. Maybe our experts who write the manual should reexamine their weights and measures or give a more realistic range.

Our bumpers are built to spec and cover three sides of our robot, they weigh exactly 10lbs. We have used full bumpers the last two years and have never been anywhere near the max bumper weight.

What size aluminum are you guys using? What size bolts? What kind of plywood?

Originally Posted by squirrel

I think our 4 bumpers weighed right around 12 lbs, 26" for the ends and 36" for the sides, 5" high, no angles. Quick calculation of the weight of angle shows that adding 1/16" thick 3/4" angle would put them just over 15 lbs. Perhaps they had 1/2" angle in mind? Not much room for screws then....yes, the prescribed design seems to be questionable.

We use 1/2" and there is plenty of room for the screws.