pic: Wood Coast Drive V2

[BBray_T1296]

Originally Posted by z_beeblebrox

Our laser cutter bed is 29x17", but parts up to 29x34" can be cut in two operations, one for each end, by opening the machine's door so the material can stick out.

How well do these two operations line up? It must be virtually impossible to get a perfect seam with this, but I am guessing you can get them good enough?

I would not be concerned so much with X/Y lineup as much as Z rotation when re-jigging the part. Could lead to some wonky wheel misalignment

[Necroterra]

This looks great. Looks much cleaner and more open than last year's. Will there be a top plate or any cross beams? Also, about how many individual parts are there here? It looks like a lot less.

Are you planning to build one before build season for practice?

EDIT:

Originally Posted by BBray_T1296

How well do these two operations line up?

I can't speak for the team, seeing as I graduated last year, but I would assume that the flattening jig that Kevin mentioned would be a big part of making sure they line up. Additionally, plywood sheets are cheap, so if they can always cut another.

[s_forbes]

Originally Posted by Necroterra

(...) Additionally, plywood sheets are cheap, so if they can always cut another.

If a CIM costs more than all of your combined drivetrain raw material, I guess you can afford to make mistakes.

[z_beeblebrox]

Originally Posted by Necroterra

Will there be a top plate or any cross beams? Also, about how many individual parts are there here? It looks like a lot less.
Are you planning to build one before build season for practice?

No top plate or cross beams should be needed.

There are 27 plywood parts in the chassis, 5 in each gearbox and 7 in each wheel.

Not sure; we'll see how much time we have. We will at least be prototyping the wooden wheels and experimenting with laser-cutting larger parts.

Originally Posted by LuukVoesten4481

Can you do a predication of the weight without the battery?

With electronics, no battery, ~34.7lbs. The wood chassis, including gearbox structure and bumper mounts, weighs ~10.2lbs.

[z_beeblebrox]

I added the superstructure mount. It weighs only ~3 lbs and can be tilted by removing two quick-release pins. I also moved the bumper mounts to the superstructure mount to facilitate access.

Images

[asid61]

Originally Posted by z_beeblebrox

I added the superstructure mount. It weighs only ~3 lbs and can be tilted by removing two quick-release pins. I also moved the bumper mounts to the superstructure mount to facilitate access.

Images

Very interesting design.
I might swap the pins for bolts, because the added stiffness is probably worth the extra 30 seconds to undo the bolts IMO.
It also might be a little weak due to the small contact area; bolting it down, rather than to the side, could be stronger.

[s_forbes]

Originally Posted by z_beeblebrox

I added the superstructure mount. It weighs only ~3 lbs and can be tilted by removing two quick-release pins. I also moved the bumper mounts to the superstructure mount to facilitate access.

Images

Solid looking concept! Make sure the aluminum posts in the corners are mounted securely, since they'll take a big impact load when you run into stuff. How are they attached to the frame?
EDIT: just realized that the frame itself will still take the bulk of the impact loads, as the bumpers are contacting it

Also, good luck getting the bumpers on and off... the c-channel mounting hardware at the ends of the bumpers runs into your superstructure mounts in the process. Maybe just need angles instead of c-channels for those.

[z_beeblebrox]

Here's CAD for the drivetrain. It includes the CNC Wood wheel posted earlier, as well as improvements to the frame and bumper mount.