Robotics DreamLab

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by ebarker

Sorting out the list -
3d printer ???
waterjet ???
lathe ???
bandsaw ???

I would leave out waterjet. Flow told me that one HS in california recently got one, before our inquiry. They are the only HS in the entire United States that has one directly on campus. Cant speak for other brands.
Waterjets are quite costly as you know, and teams that use such a process to make parts, outsource them all. We were quoted $150,000 for the setup we want without any training.
Our team is planning to get a 3d printer, but always felt it wasn't essential to have one. A nice to have, IMO.
We got a horizontal bandsaw from MSC for about $3000 recently, IIRC. Best investment we made and a definite "must have" for our shop. Our old one broke.
A lathe AND mill, a definite YES if you're going to fabricate your own parts. The biggest learning experience our construction kids have had is making their own stuff using these equipment.

[ebarker]

I kinda figured the waterjet was expensive. A couple of months ago I went to the GWCC, same room where the Championship pits was held for an industry show called FABTECH. You had to have a pass to get in.

I looked at the waterjet stuff and it was very impressive. The machine I looked at had a 65 hp pump. The whole system had to cost 150K if it cost a nickel.

A team locally here got a plasma cutter the same size as the waterjet I was looking at. I think they got a real good deal. It only cost them about $ 25K. It doesn't do as nice a job as a waterjet but still it does a nice job.

[AllenGregoryIV]

It's funny how different dreams can be, right now I'm dreaming we had a horizontal band saw.

Sure a waterjet would be nice too.

[ebarker]

We have a variety of horizontal bands saws ranging in age from 14 to 18 years old.