How much does your robot weigh?

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by Cal578

[*]It takes a lot of holes in plastic to make any difference in weight, and that often compromises strength before much weight is shed. Target metal, especially thick items, first.

Don't be so quick to immediately discredit lightening plastic components; if the plastic part is large enough, the weight savings become valuable. If you have sheets of Lexan/polycarbonate on your robot, these add up almost deceptively quick in the weight department.

For example, a 24"x36" sheet of 1/16" polycarbonate weighs in at just under 2.4 lbs; the same size panel from 1/8" polycarbonate weighs in at about 4.75 lbs (which is about the same weight as the older Thomas air compressor).

Be warned through: while it is possible to use large hole saws (2-3" diameter) in sheets of Lexan, it's not the easiest thing to do in the pits. It's much easier ahead of time to only use the thinnest possible Lexan.