pic: One piece sheet metal chassis concept

[cxcad]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

Do you have the version without the bends on it, ie the flat part.

I see. It is here
By the way is there a direct way to upload pictures?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by cxcad

By the way is there a direct way to upload pictures?

You can use attachments, at least if the thread isn't in one of the image-gallery discussion threads (where they're disabled, and which this thread is). Sometimes it's easiest to just upload the new one and reference the current thread in the description.


On another note... I think it's entirely feasible to do this as a 3-piece chassis, using largely the existing geometry, with a few rivets to hold the pieces together. How I think it's possible to do that I leave as an exercise to the reader.

[asid61]

I'm not sure it would bend right. Get a sheet metal guy to look at it.
Definitely interesting though. 3-piece would be good enough and strong enough IMO, but if this works it could be valuable later.

[Bennett548]

Originally Posted by cxcad

I'm not quite sure what you are asking. This is the CAD.

If the modification below is made, I think this part can be bent much more easily.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3b...it?usp=sharing

The complete tubes down the sides will still be non-possible with any normal brake (finger or press). If you lose the bottom of the side tubes and have them bend up from the belly pan, it may be possible on a finger brake, and easy on a press brake. Add spacers and dead axles to make up for the loss of stiffness.

Alternatively, take a look at industrial origami. With that you can bend by hand and not have to worry about machine access. I'm not sure how the bends would hold up to fatigue in aluminum, but it might work.

[pfreivald]

It's a neat idea, but part of the "hard" part of good design is taking into account fabrication and assembly methods (as mentioned above, bolt holes you can't get a wrench anywhere near are bad...bends you can't make on a break are bad...)

So it's neat, and I'm sure it's a fun exercise...but a true test would be to make a chassis you like just as much, but that is easy to fabricate, assemble, and maintain!

[Taylor]

..

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by pfreivald

So it's neat, and I'm sure it's a fun exercise...but a true test would be to make a chassis you like just as much, but that is easy to fabricate, assemble, and maintain!

It depends on what one is trying to test. From what I've read here, the one piece chassis here was essentially presented as a tested though experiment-- "can I make a one piece chassis work?" Was the test and the answer appears to be "in CAD? Yes, In reality? No." I'd argue that if that was the intended test, this was a good one of CADD skill.

In terms of being an engineering/DFMA test, it falls short, but that doesn't appear to be the intent. Anyhow, I digress; it's not worth ruminating over.

cxcad: Good job, keep up the good work. I hope to see more designs from you! It's always nice to see new designs and ideas around here to shake things up a bit. I'll have to take a closer look when I get a chance.

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by cadandcookies

It depends on what one is trying to test. From what I've read here, the one piece chassis here was essentially presented as a tested though experiment-- "can I make a one piece chassis work?" Was the test and the answer appears to be "in CAD? Yes, In reality? No." I'd argue that if that was the intended test, this was a good one of CADD skill.

That's what I meant when I said it was neat!

[Gdeaver]

After walking the pits and observing a great number of broken robots this year. Watching the frustration teams went thru, I believe that teams need to put more effort in repair ability of their designs. Teams need to think about this more. Modules are one method to accomplish this. How easy is going to be to repair the drive train in that chassis?

[cxcad]

Originally Posted by Gdeaver

After walking the pits and observing a great number of broken robots this year. Watching the frustration teams went thru, I believe that teams need to put more effort in repair ability of their designs. Teams need to think about this more. Modules are one method to accomplish this. How easy is going to be to repair the drive train in that chassis?

it probably is going to be a nightmare, but that's the price for innovation... In all seriousness, this is something I wouldn't build, but I'm going to keep on iterating this concept or something similar until it becomes work able.

[roystur44]

Here is a little video of what a modern press brake looks like. If the chassis was made out of 1 piece you could not make the final bend to close the box. You would have to make the box and weld up the flange to make it appear like one piece

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1GkvsruJ8g

[caboosev11]

In my opinion, it'd be difficult and time consuming to bend the sheet metal into place. It'd be much easier and more convenient to just use multiple pieces. It's a good idea though.