Need Help With Sheet Metal Designing

[JTN]

I'm not sure yet, but I'll keep you posted.

[MetalJacket]

Looks pretty awesome so far, although I do have one question/concern. Had you planned to add a belly pan? Though I will be the first to admit that my knowledge of sheet metal design is still very much a work-in-progress, it would seem that without one there would be issues with rigidity so if you hadn't planned to add one, I would recommend it.

[JTN]

This drawing is to show the frame itself. There will be a belly pan on the actual robot.

[roystur44]

JTN,

Think when you get to the assembly stage how hard to get your frame square with the current design. Think about the process to get the frame built and how to adjust/replace the swerve pods. Which parts are put together first and assembly to each other?

A example would be to built 2 each of two mirrored swerve modules. Test the swerve modules motors and steering independently of the frame. Assemble to frame.

The frame is what holds the swerve modules nice and square. It looks like there are a lot of pieces that have to mate together and be square and strong, lightweight. Consider using one piece of metal for the frame and bending it into a box structure. The hole to hole tolerances with be higher than multiple pieces assembled together and you will find that bending the piece will make the frame stiff and square.

[MetalJacket]

Originally Posted by JTN

This drawing is to show the frame itself. There will be a belly pan on the actual robot.

That's what I figured, just wanted to double check

[JTN]

In response to roystur. Thanks for the input. We have used separate pieces for the frame for a while now and have not had many problems. If we used a one piece frame, it would be hard to change ( we extended our frame mid-season this year) and I could almost guarantee one of the wheels wouldn't touch the ground.

Edit: Also, the current swerve modules are symmetrical (forgot to make window motors invisible). Adjustment is not an issue, there are 2 plates that we pull apart until the chains are tight. Slots in the frame will handle this issue effectively.