pic: 6wd - revised - feedback requested

[GUI]

You might not want to put the lightening holes in the bellypan, it would be easier to mount the electronics without them, and you only save about 2 1/2 pounds. Also, I would be wary of using this design withoug adding gussets on the top corners, it will be a lot stronger with them. You may want to lighten the super shifters a little, if you're concerned about weight.

[JHSmentor]

Thx for the suggestions.

We used the 4 omni's last year and it worked very well - although I am definitely keeping options open to use only 2 in the front. obviously the game may make this whole design not very good anyway.

The gussets have been suggested often and it's probably something we will strongly consider. Just worried about them getting in the way. We didn't use them last year but our whole chassis was 3/16" rather than 1/8" so maybe that made the difference. Plus we didn't have any huge impacts.

All of the lightening holes will be dependent on if we can find a shop to help us. Otherwise we have ZERO ability to do anything this fancy. I would love to lighten the Super Shifters as well but that's way beyond our abilities as well.

this design is already 20+ lbs lighter than last years so even if we couldn't do everything shown here then we are a little ahead already.

thx,

[DonRotolo]

Make sure there are places at the top edge to mount superstructure (i.e., manipulator), perhaps turn the top edge of the inner rails inward. Maybe make them a little taller too, so the top is just above the tops of the wheels - your manipulator team will love you for giving them a perfectly flat surface the size of the whole robot (your maintenance work will be from the bottom looking up). Also, count on using your bumpers as structural elements, which means only the mounting points on the outer rails need to be strong, the rest can be weak because you have that 3/4" plywood holding it all together. For the bottom plate, consider fewer and smaller lightening holes, as mentioned above so you can easily mount your electronics and gear there. Last, line up the shift pistons and use just one to shift both at the same time. There's a thread here somewhere that shows how one team did that.

[TVan]

Are the standoff bolts in the path of the chains ? maybe just one bolt
in the center will be ok, Or you could put a slot in this area to mount chain
tensioners, A shaft with tapped holes in the ends and a small roller
on it may work as a stand off and a chain tensioner.
Caution this is a untested idea, just a quick thought
thank you for posting your chassis it looks great,
Tim

[bmarick]

This looks Great Brian.
I would disagree this will be enough to mount our electonics and phenumatics.
One worry that I agree with is the bumbers. Thanks for doing this.
From what I hear form jordan, Crossbracing the cornors would be a good ideal it would give some solid regidity. This can be ssen in our cornors of last years bot.
To finish it off it we can't decide what we will use for wheels until the game is anounced.

See you tomorrow.

Originally Posted by rc_cola1323

I have never been a fan of omni's and i have seen a lot of teams getting turned with them. But if it works for you guys then ok, sounds great then.

Talk to Madison from 488 about their experience using Omni's in a traction 6 wheel drive. She's got some GREAT insight and experience there.

Otherwise, looks pretty good. Might want to work on using less material by means of design instead of CNC pocketing... I'm SURE you can achieve a lighter, stronger base with less machine time. Keep at it!