pic: FRC1293 Prototype 6wd Chassis

[M. Mellott]

Originally Posted by Thermal

Real sideplates will probably be 1/8" 6061 alu backed with 3/8" UHMW, the prototype will just be 1/2" plywood.

Nice design--looks like it can be assembled very quickly.

Why did you choose to use 1/2"-thick sideplates? Have you used this in the past and found that you need to go that thick? With the use of the spacers along with the heavy-duty 80/20 cross-beams, it seems like you could make them much thinner, especially if they're being protected by bumpers.

Also, are the wheel modules/side plates made to be universal, meaning that you could use the same pieces on either the left or right sides?

[Thermal]

Yes, the sideplates are universal, the assemblies are just mirrored from each other.

As an update we changed the look but it is still the same basic design. We are now using 1/8" thick 6061 alu sheet with flanges on the top and bottom of the sideplate to prevent warping. 4" long, 5/8" diameter UHMW dowels for the spacers with 4 1/2" long 1/4"-20 bolts to go through the dowels and hold the sideplates together. We made some changes to the 8020 and repositioned them pretty drastically for more room for the manipulator, and we have also changed our wheel locations slightly to allow easier turning for this year.