2073 is looking into WCD, feedback requested

[philso]

Originally Posted by mlantry

I'm unsure if the little tabs on the edges are for bumpers but if they are I would either come up with a way to support them or a beefier way because I could see though bending easily if a team gets under you bumpers. Aside from that looks good

It looks like you are using 2 x 1 inch tubing for the frame and the "stubs" between the wheels for supporting the bumpers. If you are anticipating playing a hard hitting game like this years, the bumpers may "pivot" inward on the top edge of the stubs and the front and rear cross members when hit hard. You may want to consider stacking another piece of 2 x 1 on top of the stubs and the front and rear cross members. Some spacers may be needed where you have the gusset plates. Alternatively, use 3 x 1, or larger tubing.

Originally Posted by FrankJ

Keeping in mind that it has the 2014 controls.... Anything under the CIMs is going to be hard to access. You would also want to make your radio platform easy to remove so you can get to PD board. Depending what ends up on top, you might want to face your pneumatic controls & gauges out. The disconnect switch looks a little buried. You obliviously have a little rearranging to do to make the belts work.

It would be best to locate the battery and input breaker at the end with the PDB and the motor controllers and rotate the PDB by 180 degrees to minimize the lengths of the high current paths. Ensure that you do not cut off access to the battery with your upper structure. Use the space between the CIMs to run wires between the two halves of the chassis. Allow at least an inch of space along each side of the PDB and the Digital Sidecar to allow for the wiring in and out. I would suggest allowing the same clearance around the new RoboRio.

You may want to locate the CRio and Digital Sidecar together on one side, say where you currently have pneumatic valves and compressor. Locate the compressor where the air tanks are now. The air tanks are pretty light so they can be put in the middle or up on the upper structure. You may want to install the pneumatic gauge higher up and turned around (as Frank suggested) so it can be seen over the bumpers.

Moving the radio to the other end will put it closer to the CRio that it connects to and away from potential noise sources (motor controllers). If possible, mount the radio on a light piece of plastic in a space in the upper structure so that it is physically protected and not surround it with metal (for better reception).