Weight Concerns

[hallk]

This year our bot has more holes then it does metal. But it makes the bot look really hot.

[Doug G]

We're almost finished with our bot, but it weighs in 20 lbs over We at a lost, good thing we have 2 weeks to go on a diet.

[DjAlamose]

Hack saws = ok
Holes saws = good
CNC = very good
Water Jet or EDM = Friken sweet!

[Krysta]

Originally Posted by Nitroxextreme

Weight is on everyones mind throughout the build season...but how many teams try to keep it in check

Do you wait till the end than cut it out?

Today we found out that we just simply many not have the weight to do what we wanted so the first thing that we turned to was the hole saws

Now we are confident that we can do what we want as long as we drill everything out (with proportion and structure in mind)

Our team had hte same problem last year and the year before... We did th same things. Drilled holes. Worked pretty good.

[StephLee]

We haven't added a few things yet, and when we weighed ours the other day it was at 115...Because of the things we have yet to add, we went ahead and swiss-cheesed the bot, so now we SHOULD be underweight...I hope...

We had a really odd experience with the inspection scales last year at Chesapeake. Our shop scale showed ~119, but that thing can be a bit testy, so we weren't sure. When we got to Chesapeake, their scale showed 119.6. We measured out an extra .35 pounds of our arm material and added that; now the scale showed 118.4. We were lost...but decided not to mess with a good thing.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by paulcd2000

we're a new team, and so far I don't think anyone has realized that there is a significant weight limit. We're probably going to turn our bot into swiss cheese at the end.

You are at the end. Better find some metal removing tools.

I'm the weight guy for my team and have been for 4 years now. I weigh pretty much the entire kit every year. I then make an overhead weight with various control and ID components. Then I add to it as we add components. Our estimated weight is about 100 lbs right now, but we're missing some key items' real weights. We are already removing metal--some of our pieces have slots in them and I'm designing one system to be extremely conservative weight-wise.

[Steve S.]

i dont think its possible to have a robot that is underweight without swiss cheesing it

[Bemis]

We try to take it out as we go, but we don't have too much trouble. Our weight trouble comes at the end, most often, and we aren't there yet. We'll just swiss cheese it if need be. There is always some place to cut from.

[Joe O]

Originally Posted by team1591

i dont think its possible to have a robot that is underweight without swiss cheesing it

Our rookie year was two years ago, so this is only our third year. But over at 1410, we have never been overweight. The key is to keep it simple. The more simple a design, the less it should wiegh. Also, remember that you don't have to use a robot made entirely of metal. Actually, this year we will be bringing weights to comp. so that we can be at 119.576 lbs.

[yaoi4ever]

^ lover and worshipper of the three- eyed demon who calls himself Hiei

Originally Posted by chinckley

How much are the bumpers weighing? Are they coming out at the 15 pound limit (3 oz per inch) or are they weighing more or less?

We are just starting ours.

Carolyn

our bumpers are complete and way underweight. we utilized those pool noodle thingies. we mounted them on 3/4" ply and covered them with a synthetic fiber covering. (i actually think it's a table cloth... >.<)

[Nita]

We weighed our robot today and it's .4 pound overweight. We don't even have all the stuff on yet! D:

[Andy Baker]

Speaking of weight... Chris Fultz and I have a weight loss bet. The person who loses the least has the lead the "chicken dance" at the Boilermaker Regional. So far, I'm down 18 lbs. This may change, as my loving wife came home with some discount Ho-Ho's yesterday. What is she thinkin'? Maybe I should try a hole saw or two.

Oh... you guys are talking about robots. Ours is overweight too. It could also lose 18.

Andy B.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by paulcd2000

we're a new team, and so far I don't think anyone has realized that there is a significant weight limit. We're probably going to turn our bot into swiss cheese at the end.

Been there, done that, decided to do it different this year.

Gave each sub team (drive platform, shooter, ball picker-upper, electronics, etc...) a weight limit, and they need to do whatever necessary to stay under their weight. Sub teams can give up weight to another. This plan also helps keep a handle on center of gravity - not as critical as last year, but that ramp is steep.

Oh, we'll likely be a bit over this year, but we'll find that 2 or 4 pounds somewhere. Maybe fill the hollow stuff with helium...

Don

no concern for our team what so ever XD

[Joe_Widen]

Well, Team 1675 probably has one of the coolest robots ever........but saying that we already weigh 60 pounds with just the chassis, drive motors, and wheels. Our shooter is a tad on the heavy side and our ball picker up is somewhat light thank god. I'll see if we can release some super top secret plans........and put a picture up, or jus check out

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=1675

maybe you'll get the picture.......if you can see it.