pic: 2011 Drive Prototype

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

There's a belly pan spanning the width of the robot. Generally such pans are used as structural members of the chassis (see 233/254's frames)

We put cross members even when using the "belly pan" design.

For the original poster: How do you intend to manufacture your gears? I'm guessing our 2007 robot was the inspiration for this design based on some of the aspects you've chosen to incorporate. If you've read much about that robot you'll have seen that everyone involved with the robot agrees that it's simply not worth the time and cost to make aluminum gears, for the ~2-2.5 lb weight savings.

Additionally we have moved away from delrin in the past two years. It flexes too much and isn't as durable as aluminum. If you have access to a waterjet it becomes very easy to make pocketed .250" aluminum gearbox plates which will be comparable in weight to .250 delrin but much more rigid. If you have access to a CNC mill, which I assume you do based on your design, it's a little more work, but still fairly simple.

Originally Posted by MWB

They slide inside of of a square cutout, ask somebody from 254, who might know more about the subject.

If you intend to make this as a prototype, you should probably understand the basics of how the design actually works. If you're just copying it and drawing it in CAD with no understanding of why things are done the way they are, then what value is that bringing to your team?