Why didn't your team use the Kitbot frame in 2006?

[Billfred]

Alright, we've heard many folks talk about how generally awesome the Kitbot can be for teams. (I've said it quite a few times myself.)

I'd like to know from the teams that rolled their own frame why they chose to do so. Was it weight? Force of habit? The desire to do something different? Something else I've missed completely after being spoiled for two seasons by the Kitbot?

(Just as a note: I'm not saying one way or the other is better. I just want to know why the other side does things like they do. It makes life interesting.)

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by Billfred

Alright, we've heard many folks talk about how generally awesome the Kitbot can be for teams. (I've said it quite a few times myself.)

I'd like to know from the teams that rolled their own frame why they chose to do so. Was it weight? Force of habit? The desire to do something different? Something else I've missed completely after being spoiled for two seasons by the Kitbot?

(Just as a note: I'm not saying one way or the other is better. I just want to know why the other side does things like they do. It makes life interesting.)

The primary reason is that we can do better than the kit frame (and gearboxes) can provide us. Whether or not that gives us any advantage on the field, I believe it does good things for the skills of the students on our team. We built an incredibly robust and lightweight frame from aluminum box tubing. The way we had our wheels, pillow blocks, and chains setup would not have been possible with the kit frame. We were able to save space and weight by putting a lot of design and fabrication into our own custom frame (and drive system). Also, on a more personal level, I don't believe that all robots should look the same.

[TimCraig]

I guess we didn't because we've gotten used to the versatility of T-slot aluminum. We don't have in house welding capability so building a really good custom frame isn't possible. We did, however, use the kitbot frame as raw material for brackets and such.

[JVGazeley]

Traditionally, we don't even use aluminium. We prefer to build a frame out of steel. Easier for us for various reasons...

[coastertux]

For the past two years my team has used the kitbot frame, simply for the convenience. Next year we are planning to make our own frame (or at least get the kitbot frame welded) because while it is sturdy, it is also VERY heavy. I have heard you can save 10 lbs or so by welding instead of using all those bolts.

[lukevanoort]

We've used the kitbot frame the last two years, and I like it. However, I want to make a custom frame out of welded box aluminum next year to save a few pounds, and save space by designing to the size you need, not like the KitBot frame which is designed to be usable in many configurations. (ex. a two inch wide wheel well instead of 3" ish size. (Or is it four?)) Fiberglass make make an appearance too.

[DonRotolo]

We didn't use because the T-slot aluminum seemed so good. We also saved a bunch of weight. It is hugely flexible (adjustable) for things that you don't know exactly where they're going to go.

BUT... our frame was not as impact resistant as with the kitbot we used last year. The T-slot fasteners don't handle shock that well. 20mm T-slot is not as bend-resistant as it seems.

For next year, we'll probably use the kitbot for the lower part of the frame, and T-slot for the upper part. Or maybe hand-laid fiberglass-epoxy. Or machine it out of a solid block of titanium...

Don

[spears312]

With our swerve drive this year, a kit frame would have had to gone under heavy modification to fit our needs, and since Baxter provides us with an awesome machine shop (and Dawson, the best welder in the world), we went ahead with our own frame. I personally see nothing wrong with the kit frame, we did use it last year after we modified and welded the heck out of it and it withstood a lot of crushing impacts (most memorably a head on head full speed impact between us and SPAM last year at nationals) with little more than a few small dents. Given the opportunity though, I would almost always choose a custom frame mainly because you know you can engineer it how you want so that it fits your needs with out risking structural integrity.

For any team that wants to save some cash or doesn't have the capabilities to build their own frame, the kit one is really a good deal (especially when you strengthen it a bit).

[Guy Chriqui]

our team didn't use the kitbot this year because we knew like 696 that we could make a better one for ourselves. we used 2x1 aluminum 1/8 thick tubing and welded a frame (like 254, 60 etc) it is much easier to work with but requires the ability to machine. it worked out well for us and is extremely strong. also the most important feature is that when you finish you can powdercoat it and make it look really sharp because it doesnt matter if it runs well it just has to look good right?
-guy

[MikeJ675]

There were two reasons-
1. We wanted to challenge ourselves with designing our own chassis
2. We managed to bend up the kitbot chassis in triple play, so we wanted something a bit more robust. We still managed to bend a few of our framerails. (1/4"x3" 6061 aluminum, with some speed holes)

[pakrat]

Holonmic 4-wheel is really hard to do, let alone try to KitBot the fame. that was a big factor.

[EricH]

We used the kitbot all right--for testing. Makes big heavy shooter prototypes much easier to move around. We have pretty much always used our own frame. A good reason not to use kitbot: robot droppings, such as the bolts for the frame.

[Chris_Elston]

Kitbot and rivets don't mix well for us either.....


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[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by EricH

We used the kitbot all right--for testing.

Good point. Actually, we did too. We used the KOP frame and gearboxes to give the programmers something to work with before we had a real robot. They much enjoyed it.

[eugenebrooks]

Originally Posted by Billfred

I'd like to know from the teams that rolled their own frame why they chose to do so. Was it weight? Force of habit? The desire to do something different? Something else I've missed completely after being spoiled for two seasons by the Kitbot?

We have gradually welded more and more of our robot frame over the years, using 6061-T6 aluminum box tubing. It avoids the weight of the attaching hardware and avoids loose nuts and bolts. This has been so successful it appears that we will be upgrading to a higher current welder next year so that we can weld thicker aluminum sections with impunity.