Riveting the KOP Frame

[Dad1279]

We have been riveting for a few years now. No problems. And replacing the corner connectors with 1/8" plates will save alot of weight also.

[Nathan Streeter]

Brendan, I'd suggest making the switch to rivets if you can manufacture the 16+ L-shaped plates for each robot. I'm pretty sure you could expect to save ~2 pounds by swapping out all the bolts and funny connectors for little corner plates and rivets.

You know we've used rivets plenty of time with success on the IFI old KOP frame... I'm sure they'd work comparably well with gusset plates.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Nathan Streeter

Brendan, I'd suggest making the switch to rivets if you can manufacture the 16+ L-shaped plates for each robot. I'm pretty sure you could expect to save ~2 pounds by swapping out all the bolts and funny connectors for little corner plates and rivets.

You know we've used rivets plenty of time with success on the IFI old KOP frame... I'm sure they'd work comparably well with gusset plates.

I know we have done it in the past with the IFI frame the Andymark frame is different which makes the riveting interesting/sketchy since the rivet cannot expand as much.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

I know we have done it in the past with the IFI frame the Andymark frame is different which makes the riveting interesting/sketchy since the rivet cannot expand as much.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I would not try and rivet the KOP corner connectors, there is nothing there for the rivet to grab. If you want to go with rivets you'll want to make L or triangular plates to secure the corners and ditch the KOP connectors.

[MrForbes]

As many tall robots as there are this year, I expect we'll see lots of falling over...and if you are using the kit chassis and you have to lose 2 pounds, you might be better off trying to find two pounds that sits a lot higher off the ground, to go chasing after. That would let you lose the weight and keep the robot upright more often.

I love rivets, but the kit chassis is not really designed to be riveted together. As mentioned, if you make your own end brackets from flat aluminum and rivet them on you could achieve what you want. You can use the chassis as a drilling guide, too.

Good luck! sounds like you will have a busy next few days

[Chris is me]

You can take two pounds out of those transmissions instead of riveting the chassis. I love rivets but you can't rivet those corner brackets.

[BrendanB]

Thanks for the responses guys!

We have shaved off the weight needed In other mechanisms. I was concerned about the factthatthe rivet didn't have much to grab on, but one thing frc has taught me is that no matter how crazy it is it just might work and before trying i wanted to se what you would have to say.