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Unread 06-01-2008, 21:17
Jaybee1405
 
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Kitbot pros and cons

In my teams first three years, we used the "Kitbot" with modifications for gamepiece manipulation. Last year, we welded our own frame and it worked out really well for us because we were defensive minded. The frame was solid as a rock and we never had to worry about losing nuts and bolts.

This year, we're considering going back to the Kit frame because speed is so vital and the Kit parts are so light.


What are your thoughts on the Kitbot? Any pro's or con's of using that opposed to welding your own frame?

Thanks,
Joe & Team 1405
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Unread 06-01-2008, 21:20
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

Pros:
-cheap
-easy to put together
-versatile
-tough

Cons:
-"robot droppings" may weaken it
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Unread 06-01-2008, 21:28
Jaybee1405
 
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

Is it weldable? The "robot droppings" problem would thus be eliminated
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Unread 06-01-2008, 21:41
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

I think we'll be going with the kitbot frame ourselves this year primarily to speed drive train development and completion. If we do, our plan to combat robot droppings and weight is to use 1/4" pop rivets instead of the screws and nuts, as several other teams have had good success with.
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Unread 06-01-2008, 21:49
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

If you do decide to use the kit-bot, turn it upside down and use smaller wheels. There's no need for 2"+ of ground clearance this year. This will lower your CG, making your robot faster and sturdier.
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Unread 06-01-2008, 21:55
Jaybee1405
 
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

I think we're planning on 6" wheels so we can increase our velocity. Acceleration may take a hit but velocity is so vital this year.

But thanks for the tip in turning it upside-down, I'll bring it up with out team.


I'm still wondering, is it weldable??
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Unread 06-01-2008, 21:58
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaybee1405 View Post
I think we're planning on 6" wheels so we can increase our velocity. Acceleration may take a hit but velocity is so vital this year.
But thanks for the tip in turning it upside-down, I'll bring it up with out team.
I'm still wondering, is it weldable??
Yes. It is easy to weld. I welded some of the Kit-bot stock together last year.
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Unread 06-01-2008, 21:59
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaybee1405 View Post
I'm still wondering, is it weldable??
Yes, you can weld it.
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Unread 06-01-2008, 22:02
Jaybee1405
 
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

awesome, sounds like a plan

thanks everyone
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Unread 06-01-2008, 22:17
Mark Pendergast Mark Pendergast is offline
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaybee1405 View Post
<SNIP> we never had to worry about losing nuts and bolts. <SNIP>

Thanks,
Joe & Team 1405
Use Loctite Threadlocker Red on all the bolts - It is almost as good as welding. (I believe it mentions this in the Kitbot instructions somewhere.)

http://loctiteproducts.com/repairs.a...=5&Product=154
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Unread 06-01-2008, 22:31
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

Personally I love the kitbot frame. We tried to make our own frame last year but we ended up ditching it for the kitbot.

Pros:

Relatively light
Predrilled for six wheel drive
lots of holes to mount stuff
Cheap
Almost bullet-proof

Cons:

Not heavy enough for a primarily defensive bot (IMO)
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Unread 06-01-2008, 22:33
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hachiban VIII View Post
If you do decide to use the kit-bot, turn it upside down and use smaller wheels. There's no need for 2"+ of ground clearance this year. This will lower your CG, making your robot faster and sturdier.
I was thinking it would be good to make it low too, but don't the bumper zone rules make that difficult?
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Unread 06-01-2008, 22:35
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

Bumper zone is 2.5 to 8.5" from the floor, and the frame is really skinny, so that might be an issue. You could make brackets to mount the bumpers though.

I wonder how the kitbot frame would work with Ackerman (car type) steering?
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Unread 06-01-2008, 22:52
Jaybee1405
 
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

Quote:
Originally Posted by squirrel View Post
I wonder how the kitbot frame would work with Ackerman (car type) steering?
Same thing we're wondering. We'll probably have to cut away some space in the front so the wheels will have room to turn.
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Unread 06-01-2008, 22:57
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Re: Kitbot pros and cons

Quote:
Originally Posted by squirrel View Post
Bumper zone is 2.5 to 8.5" from the floor, and the frame is really skinny, so that might be an issue. You could make brackets to mount the bumpers though.

I wonder how the kitbot frame would work with Ackerman (car type) steering?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaybee1405 View Post
Same thing we're wondering. We'll probably have to cut away some space in the front so the wheels will have room to turn.
I'd be wary of cutting away too much from the kit frame; when we tried going open-front at BE, it was not really as effective as the whole frame together. I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm just saying to be careful.

Another option, if you have access to facilities that can do sheetmetal work, could be to take the drawings of the kit end caps and get new, wider ones made. I believe that IFI has the drawings on their website.
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