Ramp Materials

[Hunter]

Originally Posted by Matt Gardner

My team is VERY, VERY new, so any input from a veteran team would be appreciated. We have designed our ramp system, but do not know what material to build it out of. We have an aluminium fram completed but need a material to mount on it to support the robots we will lift. Weight is a slight issue, we have considered:

- Lexan
- 1/4 inch plywood
- Expanded Aluminium
- Expanded Steel

Any input on our ideas and especially NEW SUGGESTIONS would be wonderful, thanks...

Plywood would probably be your best option, without the ability to purchase high priced composites or honey comb paneling, or fancy sheet metal working, plywood will provide your best strength and rigidity for the weight, and is very simple to work with. Typical softwood plywood has density per unit area around 13%-14% that of aluminum, and birch plywood around 23% that of aluminum. Because of the decreased density your moment of inertia about the thickness will be much greater for a similar weight and will provide much higher strength. Also plywood is dirt cheap when compared with aluminum so it will be much easier to keep spares on hand.