Thermoplastic Question

[urkelman91]

Is it legal?

[MrForbes]

It probably depends what exactly you're talking about. If it is a part from the KoP that was made from thermoplastic, then it's probably legal. If it's a part your team made, and it meets all the requirements about what materials you can use (cost, COTS, etc) then it is probably legal.

If you want more specific information, please let us know what the part is, etc.

[efoote868]

maybe.


Ask a more specific question, get a more specific answer.
Welcome to CD!

[3286]

As I understand it, Plexiglass is not legal, Lexan is. Both are thermoplastics, but plexi has a greater tendancy to shatter or spliner, lexan is much more pliable. We just made some parts this morning to help keep errant soccerballs out of our robot with Lexan.

Mike

[EricH]

Mike, please re-read the allowed materials sections of the Manual. Plexiglass (or acrylic) is legal just the same as Lexan (polycarbonate). It's just a little bit more finicky about how you need to treat it if you don't like it breaking

As long as the thermoplastic is under the cost restrictions and weight restrictions, nothing says that you can't use it.

[urkelman91]

To be specific, is thermoplastic legal for fitting components that are typically incompatible? For instance, fitting together a gear to a threaded bolt, each with differing diameters?

Edit: Punctuation

[EricH]

Originally Posted by urkelman91

To be specific, is thermoplastic legal for fitting components that are typically incompatible? For instance, fitting together a gear to a threaded bolt, each with differing diameters?

Edit: Punctuation

Is it legal? Yes. (Or rather, I don't remember any rule saying that you can't use it that way.)

Is it the best way to do it? That depends. If you have a machine shop, I'd see about making a coupler out of something like aluminum or a rather solid plastic.

[urkelman91]

Originally Posted by EricH

As long as the thermoplastic is under the cost restrictions and weight restrictions, nothing says that you can't use it.

Thank you Eric.