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Unread 24-06-2002, 04:19
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what type of machine to use...

Posted by Ken Leung at 05/24/2001 11:49 PM EST


College Student on team #192, Gunn Robotics Team, from Henry M. Gunn Senior High School.


In Reply to: Choosing a machine shop (Re: How important is a machine shop
Posted by Ken Leung on 05/24/2001 10:52 PM EST:



There was a question about What tools do people think are necessary to build a competitive robot? Well, here are some thoughts that went through my mind as I was thinking about the question¡K

Basic hand tools such as wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, hack saw, tap sets are required to build a robot, and basic power hand tools such as hand drill, and dermel are highly needed if not required.

Simple Power tools such as Drill Press, Sanders, Band saw, Grinders are tools that students can easily learn and use, and will become a big part of their learning experience. Those tools are cheap to maintain and/or acquire, and take up little room. Modification of materials can be made through these tools, but not as much fabricating complex parts. They will teach students about basic manufacturing, at the same time provide accurate machining for the robot compare to free hand.

Mill and Lathe requires a bit of training and practice for the students to understand those tools and fully take advantage of. All kind of parts can be fabricated with the appropriate attachment. They are highly recommended for a more complex robot and to advance students. A real sense of manufacturing is given to the operators because these two machines are capable of making all kinds of parts by slot/plain milling, facing, turning, center hole drilling¡K etc. Basically they cut parts with simple shape of rectangles and circles in 3D by moving the parts around or spinning it really fast. ;-) Of course a mill can also be seen as a more accurate drill press.

Welding (not really a tool, but rather a technique) is just a way of attaching metal pieces together without fasteners. They are more reliable because the welds are sometimes stronger than the metal itself. If correctly designed, the welded parts can be really reliable, compare to possible failures of fasteners. The one negative about welding is that it is not as flexible as fasteners, which makes them not recommendable for prototyping. Of course a skilled welder is needed.

Finally, machines with Computer Numerical Control or more advance method of machining such as wire EDM can only be operated by professionals, which are not recommended to student. With the correct programming and operators, these machines can fabricate parts automatically, making the operator¡¦s life much easier if he/she is to make 100¡¦s of triangle cheese holes on a long piece of metal. Because they are computer controlled, complicated shapes such as gears can be made. Their advantages are quick in repetitive manufacturing and complex machining.

Now, the part I like the best about tools is that there are no set tools for making a part with certain purpose. What I mean is that when the designers are coming up with parts for the robot, they usually design the parts while thinking about the tools available. It is really useful if manufacturing is considered during the design, because once the parts is thought out, people will know exactly how to build it. Since there are so many varieties of tools, people can consider using existing small parts and modify them with simple tools like drill press and band saw, or they can make a fresh new part out of raw material using mills and lathe. Sometimes a mill can do a really good job on a piece while a grinder will produce a similar result within tolerance.

My point is that there are no really necessary tools when building a robot. You can always go around the conventional way and figure something else. Do not let the tools limit your stretch of imagination when designing, and the design limit your usage of different equipments. As Joe J. said, most engineers make decisions base on what they are most comfortable with. What I learned in a machine shop is that there are no rules that dictate how you do things around the shop. Enjoy that freedom, and have fun making whatever you want.

So, to answer the question about what tools necessary for a competitive robot¡K I say all tools that your team is most comfortable with. I don¡¦t deny that tools like drill press and band saw are needs, yet I believe that with enough energy and ingenuity from the team, a great robot can be built. Work around in the system, not against the system. If you have certain great tools, fine, take full advantage of it. If not, that¡¦s fine too, design something else that can be made easier.

Have fun!

Again, please correct me if I said anything wrong



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