How important is a machine shop?

[archiver]

Posted by Tom S. at 05/17/2001 10:05 AM EST


Student on team #177, The Bobcats, from South Windsor High School and International Fuel Cells.


In Reply to: a robot without welding is a day without sunshine...
Posted by Joe Johnson on 05/16/2001 9:06 AM EST:



Joe,

This year's bobcat had fewer welds than we did any other year... we built the frame out of 80/20 aluminum... (http://8020.net), and we can assemble or dissassemble it in about 2 hours. Although there were still a few welds (for the arm brackets etc), for the most part our bot was simply a bolt together frame.

Welding isn't always neccesary for a competitive robot...

Tom Schindler
Team 177

PS: most of our welding came on our ball/goal grabber mechanism...



: While not absolutely necessary, I would rather do without a mill than a welder.

: More than half the competition weight of some Chief Delphi robots was born in the twinkling light of a welding rod melting into a beautiful bead of metal ;-)

: Seriously though, I see no reason to shy away from welding. In most cases it is the lightest method to join something, in many cases it is the strongest and in selected cases in it the ONLY practical method give the available space.

: Don't give up a very powerful tool: Welding can be beautiful!

: Joe J.