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Unread 02-02-2010, 00:17
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Tom Line Tom Line is offline
Raptors can't turn doorknobs.
FRC #1718 (The Fighting Pi)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Rookie Year: 1999
Location: Armada, Michigan
Posts: 2,533
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Re: Shock Absorbers for the electrical system

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Rotolo View Post
Oh sure there is. After all, there are applications where the electronics must survive shock loads far in excess of what FRC might see.

My opinion is that things like fasteners and connections will be more of a worry.

Nonetheless, testing has convinced 1676 to mount the electronics to a relatively stiff plate, and provide some shock-mounting of that plate relative to the frame. In addition, all connections will be mechanically secured (over and above the existing frictional retention) and screws (e.g., Jaguar, Victor) will have blue Loctite or similar. Wiring will be carefully managed and fastened tightly to rigid supports - very little will be left dangling in mid-air.

I would be fascinated to hear what actions other teams are taking or considering in this regard.


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Every connection not mechanically secured - for instance PWM into Vic's and Jag's, will get hot-glued in place. The electronics will be mounted on extruded polycarb fastened at the ends to provide some give if the robot slams down hard.

In testing with out 2007 robot, we put the robot in hard reverse, then into hard forward. The resulting rocking motion (wide chassis configuration) resulted in the robot slamming down so hard it shattered the housings on two of our victor fans. Those were hard-mounted to the aluminum plate that supported the chassis.