Extruded aluminum custom designed for FRC robots

[Kevin Ray]

We (FIRST team 329) very much like the idea of new extruded shapes, especially those that are specifically geared toward FRC. In fact, I too cannot believe that it hasn't been thought of earlier. I would be willing to bet that if it takes off in 2014, AndyMark would also pick up some of the product and be a vendor for Klein--but who knows, they've done it before with products created by individual teams who also sell their own products.
I think we'd have to see how we could actually use the extrusions and would we have to spend too much time removing excess material--it does seem a bit on the heavy side as it is now.

[mrnoble]

Any updates on this? Thanks!

[Clifcecile]

Here is some update to the process so far:

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What lengths do you think people want? 30 ft helps, because it will support itself. I still have not figured out the best method and length to ship. Susie says she has released the drawings to the die department to make the dies. I think they EDM them. At least that is how they used to do it.

30 ft of each is 40 lbs total, not a bad shipping weight. I recommend that he purchase more of the 2 and 3 inch frame than the slide. I think we will use the frames for a lot of the structure, and use the slide only for movements. We may only use the slide in short pieces, bolted to frame parts.

I am thinking about asking about an angle as well.

Gary
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And here is the part about the angle
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I have sent the 3 inch angle drawing to SAPA as well. Here is the shape I am floating. I have asked what their time would be.


Gary
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I have attached the drawing of this.

[mrnoble]

Please send me a PM so we can look at starting the purchasing process, assuming Gary wants to go forward with it.

[mplanchard]

You can use this drawing profile to create a custom weldment profile in SolidWorks. Then sketch an outline of your frame in one sketch. Attach the weldment profile and you will get a cutlist with the exact length and cut angles of each member. See the Weldment tutorial in SolidWorks under Help. Marie

[Clifcecile]

The extruding company is delivering the aluminum pieces to Chehalis on the 17th. Gary ordered 2,000 lbs of the 3" and the 2". 1,000 lbs of the slider which is plenty.

That is not optimal but we are still going to use it for our chassis and superstructure.

Freight charges vary considerably depending on the carrier when shipping out pieces.

[Clifcecile]

We are setting up an eBay site that will let teams order these extrusions directly and in a couple of days we hope to have a web site as well.


Clif White
Head mentor Team 4060 S.W.A.G.
W F West High School.
Chehalis, WA