Over Weight?

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Weight savings is far better by using lighter/less stuff than drilling holes.

Quoted for the truth.

Here is an excellent white Paper written by IKE that has some tips. http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/papers/2220

Depending on your construction methods, some simple tricks can net you some big savings. Switch any 1/8" wall tube to 1/16" wall. You've essentially saved 50% of the weight of the tube. Go to smaller fasteners/rivets/velcro where possible. Decorative Panels and or Protective shields don't need to be 1/8" Thick Lexan where 1/16" or even thinner will suffice. Depending on the hardware you use (This is most useful when dealing with a lot of larger fasteners, 1/4-20 or above) cut any excess threads off of bolts - no need to have 1/2" of threads sticking out of the nut.

Much of that advice is taken from IKE's paper, but some if from personal experience. Your results may vary.

[Phyrxes]

A couple of our students over the years have played ice hockey and donated their broken carbon fiber sticks instead of trashing them. Occasionally a section of it makes an appearance on a robot, just make sure it doesn't take an impact from the wrong direction!

The entire roof assembly of our Breakway bot was carbon fiber stick as the ridge with a piece 1/32 Lexan riveted to it.