Purchasable Tricks and Easy Fixes

[JamesCH95]

Originally Posted by JesseK

If you need thin, strong boards that can hold the weight of a robot (like ramps for 2007), then honeycombed fiberglass may be a good fit. We've also use it for our electronics boards since 2007. This year we might use something different. The caveats: it shears very easily, so use wide washers at every mount point; it is not meant to be a structural member that can withstand impacts, so the weight it carries should be light during all interactive times of play.

The fiberglass laminate is awesome. It can be custom made too, with various skins and cores if one is so inclined.

To solve the bearing stress issues (fiberglass sheets are actually very strong in shear if laid up anisotropically) using a big washer clearly works, but a stronger solution is to epoxy the washer in place. Or better yet epoxy a bushing in place to prevent crushing the board. Smaller washers/bushings could probably be used if they are glued, to save weight.