Wood robots

[DonRotolo]

I second the interlocking tabs.

My father (nor 92) owned a company that did die-cutting of cardboard. Back then, it was all hand-cut, but some of those dies are amazing.

For those unfamiliar, you first cut a thin line through plywood, then fill the space with a strip of razor steel "rule". Squish the finished die onto a piece of cardboard, and viola', you get cutouts. Think jigsaw puzzle. They used to get something like $10 an inch, decades ago. A typical 22 x 34 die might have 1000 inches of rule...

Consider using thin plywood with a fiberglass/epoxy coating where strength and low weight are a consideration. Do the math correctly, and wood can be pocketed like metal for weight savings without strength loss.

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

For those unfamiliar, you first cut a thin line through plywood, then fill the space with a strip of razor steel "rule". Squish the finished die onto a piece of cardboard, and viola', you get cutouts. Think jigsaw puzzle.

So that's how it works....I always pondered that while gazing at jigsaw puzzles. I was on the right track, but had never figured it all out, and never remembered to look it up when there wasn't a puzzle in front of me.

[Bertman]

418 has done lots of work with wooden chassis and wheels. I personally have some experience with lightweight wooden boat construction. PM me if I can help in any way. a couple of years back we made a wooden chassis out of red oak (7 lbs) that is still knocking about as out promotion robot (should still be on CD someplace) and has had zero structural failures after many crash tests.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Bertman

a couple of years back we made a wooden chassis out of red oak (7 lbs) that is still knocking about as out promotion robot (should still be on CD someplace) and has had zero structural failures after many crash tests.

Is this it, Tony? I think this was the one made on a dare with members of the team, discussing the strength of wood.

Jane

[sdcantrell56]

As far as I know we (1771) are the only team to do laser cut plywood construction so far. I will be happy to share all that we have learned as well as alternative woods and joining methods. You can without a doubt build a solid, light f4ame from plywood that requires nothing more than wood glue for assembly. Send me a pmwith your contact info and I will b happy to get in touch with y'all after christmas to talk through the design and construction aspects. In the mean time look at our pictures on here on here and also my pictures on picasa. My username on there is seanc56.

[Karthik]

Team 1346 has done some great work with wood robots over the years. Jason Brett (dtengineering on CD) should be able to provide lots of details. Search his posts and I'm sure something will turn up. Here's a picture accompanied by a detailed explanation:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/35536

[czeke]

Team 1091, this season, is planning on using bamboo for our chassis and mechanism. It's very strong and light weight.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by czeke

Team 1091, this season, is planning on using bamboo for our chassis and mechanism. It's very strong and light weight.

What's your COTS bamboo source?

[DonRotolo]

Can things you grow yourself be COTS? Makes me wonder.

[Dick Linn]

Team 975's first robot was wood - cheap plywood for the most part (low budget). The drive wheels were made from glued-up 1 x 4 pine. There were a lot of material restrictions back then.

[czeke]

Chris, having been in Wisconsin, you'll know that there aren't very many bamboo stores available, much less at this time of year. We managed to locate , on the internet, a business called Bamboo Habitat, which sold us about 10 pieces each, of 3/4", 1", and 1 1/4" diameter, by 8' long Tonkin bamboo. We're currently experimenting with it, to determine what kind of joint connectioning, we're going to use. We aren't even certain, if FIRST will allow to use lashing, at the corners.