Sheet Metal and Bumpers

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by geomapguy

Thanks for the direct relation (I presume you were the CADer )

So take the 2009 frame for instance, if we did something similar with the c rail facing outwards, but created a bracket that connected the top and bottom rails and then latched to the bumpers.

Something like this? (ignore the pitifulness of the AutoCAD mockup haha)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2O...it?usp=sharing

After looking back through photos, here's a photo of the blocks used to fill this void on the 2007 robot. http://team228.org/media/pictures/view/3000

[nuclearnerd]

I just came across these when researching the same problem on our prototype. Seems like the perfect solution:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#94850a129/=u3dumi

On second read, I should be a bit more clear - if secure the bumpers to the top flange of the outer rails (using the panel nuts), rather than inwards to the webs, you should need any spacers (you might need to make the bumpers one or two pieces though, and have them wrap around the front and back rails.

[Michael Hill]

Originally Posted by nuclearnerd

I just came across these when researching the same problem on our prototype. Seems like the perfect solution:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#94850a129/=u3dumi

On second read, I should be a bit more clear - if secure the bumpers to the top flange of the outer rails (using the panel nuts), rather than inwards to the webs, you should need any spacers (you might need to make the bumpers one or two pieces though, and have them wrap around the front and back rails.

We used those (or something very similar) last year and they were terrific. It made for probably the fastest bumper change we've had.

[AllenGregoryIV]

We used twist latches this year and so did 1477. They aren't perfect but they are very quick to change. If we use them again next year we will use more than 4 and probably use the larger ones like 1477 did. We had them come off a few times.

[BJC]

If you don't mind your bumpers coming off a little more slowly, you can effectively use them as a structural member.

In 2013 33 ran a single piece bumper system with the mounting hardware being a 2x1 welded box beam going all the way around the robot mounting to the underside of an outward facing flange.

This is what it looked like.

Just another option to consider.
Cheers, Bryan

[Electronica1]

Last year my team used something similar to this. We attached a right angle bracket to our bumpers, and then use the the slide latch to attach the bracket to the top flange of our frame.