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Unread 01-11-2008, 07:29
Alan Ing Alan Ing is offline
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Re: pic: FRC488 - 80/20 Drive Train

Hi Madison,

It was great meeting with your team at the Microsoft complex last year. I must say other than the competition itself, it was the highlight of our Oregon/Seattle trip.

I am sure you know what you are doing when it comes to your frame designs as we have seen your work and this is really directed at teams in general.

Anyway, our team has been using the Bosch Rexroth extruded profile system (similar to 8020) for 7 years and except for the fact that the profiles are a bit heavier than the equivalent size 1/8" wall square or rectangular tube, we have nothing but good things to say about it and have learned over the years how to exploit its features making some pretty spiffy lifts and robot frames.

One thing we really like about the Bosch system, is that the rotating T-nuts drop in from the side and have ribs that bite into the profiles making them less prone to slip which is a problem that was brought up in this thread. Slipping T-nuts have been a rare problem for us and our machines have taken a lot of hard hits over the years. Also you can premount the T-nuts and screws to the component itself, and drop it in along the extrusion at any point.

8020 has a much larger selection of accessories than the Bosch 1" system and in all fairness we have never tried them. 8020 also has a drop in nut but they are different and if I am not mistaken, they have to be rolled in unattached to the component you are trying to mount and cost something like $2.69 each compared to the $0.60 Bosch unit.

Not trying to knock 8020, it is a great product. Many teams use it with great success. If you are worried about the T-nuts slipping, you might want to give the Bosch units a once over. Hit them hard enough and they will move too, but I believe the ribbing really helps keep them in place.

Alan
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