pic: REV Robotics building system

[BJC]

Originally Posted by Greg Needel

snip/

2) Linear motion is normally hard or expensive. Over the past 13 seasons I have been involved in FIRST there have been many amazing products which have changed the game (things like the shifting transmission, systems of gearboxes, sprockets, and wheels that just work together). The one thing that has remained hard for teams is linear motion. There are low cost options like drawer slides and more pricey solutions like ground rods and linear bearings but up to this point nothing that was designed with building a robotics elevator in mind. The V groove bearings and integrated features in the 1 inch profile allow for super easy integration anywhere in your mechanism.

/snip

It seems to me that the x shape and the very thin material that allow for the nut pockets on all four sides make this extrusion very susceptible to twisting loads. I noticed above you advocated using this for an elevator. Currently, many teams prefer 2x1 rectangular tubing for an FRC-type elevator because (among other reasons) its resistance to twisting is highly desirable to prevent binding. While it is probably serviceable in shorter/low loading situations, in a game such as 2011 Logomotion where elevators where the full 60" tall I don't think this extrusion would function very well in place of 2x1.

I do think that this is a really cool addition to teams' resources though. With the sliding nuts on each side it could especially have FRC applications in rapid prototyping.

Cheers, Bryan