Bellypan material and strength

[Yervor]

Hey all! We're incorporating a bellypan into our design for the first time this year (like so). Our robot is open-frame (U-shaped) so the bellypan will act as both support and an electronics platform.

Our prototype is currently using 1/4" laser-cut wood. We were going to use aluminum on the final robot, but as of now that isn't looking like a possibility due to both funds and concerns about electrical conductivity.

There are points on the bellypan that take a lot of stress, all of which have to do with keeping it secured to the robot's frame. Our catapult's hard stop repeatedly pulls with immense force on the frame. This happened yesterday.

For the final bellypan, we were thinking either wood or something like polycarbonate, but given recent events... I'm not too sure about the outcome.

Which material gives the greatest strength? What do you use for your bellypan? Any advice is appreciated.