Best of: Polycarbonate

[JayJ]

I think polycarbonate is pretty awesome. So let's see some different ways people have used it!

I'll start it off with a photo of our gripper this year. It worked quite well, and was basically indestructible.

[Mark Holschuh]

Check out any of Team 1714's robots. They construct the whole robot out of polycarbonate, including the frame.

(I can't believe I beat Chris is me to this. )

[thefro526]

We built the majority of the super structure of our 2009 robot from Polycarbonate. Worked well enough, looked pretty good, the only issue we ever had with it was excessive deflection if hit just right.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/32793

[Laaba 80]

Originally Posted by Mark Holschuh

Check out any of Team 1714's robots. They construct the whole robot out of polycarbonate, including the frame.

Even the wheels in Breakaway

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/sea.../890344?page=1

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Laaba 80

Even the wheels in Breakaway

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/sea.../890344?page=1

1714's 2010 robot was definitely a work of art. Their best robot thus far. I never got a chance to see high quality photos of it though.

[sgreco]

1714's swerve module is pretty cool...

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=78769

[Peter Matteson]

I think this discussion must include the 190 all polycarb robot from 2006.

This is the best photo I found on CD.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/25793

[jwfoss]

Seems as though 190 has a long history of using polycarb... check out there hopper/scoring system from 2009:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/33245

[EricH]

190 2004 comes to mind as well. Their polycarb bar blockers were pretty effective--and they had polycarb sides. Don't remember what their arm was, though.

[PingPongPerson]

In 2009 we (955) made a polycarb revolver that I thought was pretty neat.
http://www.cvhsrobotics.net/images/raiderbot8.jpg

[Molten]

A few things that has always interested me is teams that do all polycarbonate robots...First, what percent of the robot must be made out of a material to say that it is entirely made of the material? Obviously the motors and fasteners are still going to be different materials but is there a generally accepted limit? Secondly, what is the motive? Is it purely material benefits? A great deal with the sponsor? or even just the added challenge in designing around the material? Just something that has always made me curious.

Jason

[Katie_UPS]

Originally Posted by Molten

Secondly, what is the motive? Is it purely material benefits? A great deal with the sponsor? or even just the added challenge in designing around the material? Just something that has always made me curious.

Jason

Well I can't speak for all teams, but I know that 1714 works in American Acrylics, and can use most (if not all) of their tools/machines, which are made to cut plastics. Additionally, I'm guessing they have access to the scrap bin and can prototype/build pieces easily/cheaply using those materials (I know that, after doing some other projects with them that the scrap bin can be fair game)(but don't quote me on that). So in their case its easier because when they started, they had the tools already and didn't have to find a shop (the owner of AA is also a founding mentor) and its much cheaper for them to get the material (be it because the sponsor buys it in bulk anyways for work or some other reason)(but that's pure speculation).

However, I've only visited their shop and don't know the fine details... (Sorry 1714 if I got anything wrong).

[Chris is me]

That's pretty close to dead on, Katie. Everyone always says to play to your resources in FRC - and 1714's resources line up with thick polycarbonate.

[R1ffSurf3r]

we used a lexan minibot deployer. it was just some jetted sheet with a pattern that made it fit together like a puzzle. super light and incredibly strong.

I like smoked lexan

[Laaba 80]

Originally Posted by Molten

A few things that has always interested me is teams that do all polycarbonate robots...First, what percent of the robot must be made out of a material to say that it is entirely made of the material? Obviously the motors and fasteners are still going to be different materials but is there a generally accepted limit? Secondly, what is the motive? Is it purely material benefits? A great deal with the sponsor? or even just the added challenge in designing around the material? Just something that has always made me curious.

Jason

We dont use metal for structural parts, the frame is entirely polycarb. If we have an option to make a piece out of plastic, or even better, clear plastic, we do it.
www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/34998
If you look closely, you'll notice we even made clear wheels.
Aside from our great resources to work with plastics, we also do it because it is cool. It has always been a goal to be as clear as possible, and our robots have become clearer every year. If you ever get a chance to visit our pits, you will also see the clear isnt limited to the robot, we have clear toolboxes, as well as an awesome clear battery charging station