What types of metal do you use for your robot in general?

[Team3844]

We use stainless steel for 90 % or more of our bots construction. Our major sponsor manufactures commercial dishwashers. 3 years ago they volunteered to laser cut and fold all of our sheet metal with one condition, it had to be stainless steel so they could nest it in with their regular production. We use primarily 1/16 " I think 14 gauge with 1/8" 11 gauge for high stress parts. It makes a pretty bot. They usually make us 3 to 4 times the parts we need so we have a big collection of spare parts. I know most of you think the weight would be an issue, but by using thinner gauges and Swiss cheering at the design stage we come in comparable to aluminum. 105 lb in 2014, 120 lb 2015 mostly caused by a long wooden ramp and a over engineered lift, and 111lb not this year.