pic: How It's Made: 148 & 217 Robots

[Madison]

I want to go to there...

The design process is the most fascinating part of FIRST competition, I think, and it's awesome to have facilities available that allow you to devote so much time to teaching design instead. Each year, our students end up with a fantastic education in drilling holes and a less well-rounded course in design. It's frustrating.

[artdutra04]

Looking great! Can't wait to see these robots in all their sheet metal glory.

The combination laser/turret punch machine looks amazing. I feel guilty sending any sheet metal parts to our shop that aren't made with straight angles and circular lightening pockets, because I know they'd be sitting there watching the turret punch nibble away forever.

[Triple B]

John,
that is awesome
sure wish sheetmetal and I were friends
mike d

[Chris Hibner]

Very cool indeed. I was lucky enough to get a tour of the facilities a few years ago. It was really cool to see. I can't wait to get a look at the final products from all of th IFI teams.

[Chris]

Looks great Guys!

[Adrienne E.]

This is what you spent last night doing?? Geez, I really can't miss meetings can I? I hope there's a robot sitting in the shop when I get there tomorrow, if you had time to make this!

JK (mostly) What a great video! An amazing showcase of a very cool process. Thanks for your hard work John and Brandon.

[coldfusion1279]

Wow, wouldn't we all love to see the BOM with all this machining and powder coating.

Cool process.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by coldfusion1279

Wow, wouldn't we all love to see the BOM with all this machining and powder coating.

Cool process.

Not really. the BOM won't reflect any of those costs, as the services were all donated by a team sponsor.

[henryBsick]

Awesome video, great facility.
Thanks guys.

/jealous

[Jonathan Norris]

That video is pure awesome, great job with the How It's Made feel to it.

I've always been inspired by your designs and try to learn more about sheet metal fabrication every year. Every team should try and build the highest quality robot with what resources they have, and the sheet metal resources you guys have are likely unparalleled. Keep on producing beautifully designed robots it inspires the rest of us.

I'm interested in hearing more about how your teams are structured more around prototyping design ideas and obviously very detailed CAD work, then the machining and building aspects that most teams spend a majority of their time on.

[coldfusion1279]

Originally Posted by Cory

Not really. the BOM won't reflect any of those costs, as the services were all donated by a team sponsor.

Maybe I should have said "I". I am interested to see how much getting parts custom made from sheet metal, and then powdercoated, would cost realistically, even without labor.

[sdcantrell56]

Anything that is bent is most likely 5052 aluminum. 6061 does not bend very well and 7075 does not bend at all.

[Andy L]

Originally Posted by coldfusion1279

Maybe I should have said "I". I am interested to see how much getting parts custom made from sheet metal, and then powdercoated, would cost realistically, even without labor.

Same

[Dan Richardson]

Originally Posted by coldfusion1279

Maybe I should have said "I". I am interested to see how much getting parts custom made from sheet metal, and then powdercoated, would cost realistically, even without labor.

I think you'd be surprised at how little the total would come in at. The only big initial cost being set up. Considering there is very little time in the process for all those parts ( He mentioned ~ 24 hours ) just factor in an average machine shop time, that cost and material costs.. whamoo you have your answer.

Personal example, we used to have our drive train manufactured by a facility that was not well equipped to do sheet metal. ( Multiple CNC cutting centers no water jets or laser .. ) When we would ask for a quote for accounting / sponsorship letter the cost would often come in at 5000+ for around 10 pieces.

Now that we use a sheet metal facility that quote comes in for around 700 total, and we have 1-2 day turn around rather than a week.

On a side note, I am giddy like a school girl to see this video because of how important understanding sheet metal construction can be for Mechanical Design Engineers. I have been consistently inspired by 148 and 217 year in and year out. There competitiveness on
the field and GP off inspired 1902 to use these manufacturing techniques for many years and I think anyone reading this forum should take note.

[qwertyuiop[]\]

do with your freshman if the machine automatically deburs all of your metal?