Best of: Polycarbonate

[JayJ]

I think polycarbonate is pretty awesome. So let's see some different ways people have used it!

I'll start it off with a photo of our gripper this year. It worked quite well, and was basically indestructible.

[Mark Holschuh]

Check out any of Team 1714's robots. They construct the whole robot out of polycarbonate, including the frame.

(I can't believe I beat Chris is me to this. )

[thefro526]

We built the majority of the super structure of our 2009 robot from Polycarbonate. Worked well enough, looked pretty good, the only issue we ever had with it was excessive deflection if hit just right.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/32793

[Laaba 80]

Originally Posted by Mark Holschuh

Check out any of Team 1714's robots. They construct the whole robot out of polycarbonate, including the frame.

Even the wheels in Breakaway

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/sea.../890344?page=1

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Laaba 80

Even the wheels in Breakaway

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/sea.../890344?page=1

1714's 2010 robot was definitely a work of art. Their best robot thus far. I never got a chance to see high quality photos of it though.

[sgreco]

1714's swerve module is pretty cool...

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=78769

[Peter Matteson]

I think this discussion must include the 190 all polycarb robot from 2006.

This is the best photo I found on CD.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/25793

[jwfoss]

Seems as though 190 has a long history of using polycarb... check out there hopper/scoring system from 2009:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/33245

[EricH]

190 2004 comes to mind as well. Their polycarb bar blockers were pretty effective--and they had polycarb sides. Don't remember what their arm was, though.

[PingPongPerson]

In 2009 we (955) made a polycarb revolver that I thought was pretty neat.
http://www.cvhsrobotics.net/images/raiderbot8.jpg

[Molten]

A few things that has always interested me is teams that do all polycarbonate robots...First, what percent of the robot must be made out of a material to say that it is entirely made of the material? Obviously the motors and fasteners are still going to be different materials but is there a generally accepted limit? Secondly, what is the motive? Is it purely material benefits? A great deal with the sponsor? or even just the added challenge in designing around the material? Just something that has always made me curious.

Jason

[Katie_UPS]

Originally Posted by Molten

Secondly, what is the motive? Is it purely material benefits? A great deal with the sponsor? or even just the added challenge in designing around the material? Just something that has always made me curious.

Jason

Well I can't speak for all teams, but I know that 1714 works in American Acrylics, and can use most (if not all) of their tools/machines, which are made to cut plastics. Additionally, I'm guessing they have access to the scrap bin and can prototype/build pieces easily/cheaply using those materials (I know that, after doing some other projects with them that the scrap bin can be fair game)(but don't quote me on that). So in their case its easier because when they started, they had the tools already and didn't have to find a shop (the owner of AA is also a founding mentor) and its much cheaper for them to get the material (be it because the sponsor buys it in bulk anyways for work or some other reason)(but that's pure speculation).

However, I've only visited their shop and don't know the fine details... (Sorry 1714 if I got anything wrong).

[Laaba 80]

Originally Posted by Molten

A few things that has always interested me is teams that do all polycarbonate robots...First, what percent of the robot must be made out of a material to say that it is entirely made of the material? Obviously the motors and fasteners are still going to be different materials but is there a generally accepted limit? Secondly, what is the motive? Is it purely material benefits? A great deal with the sponsor? or even just the added challenge in designing around the material? Just something that has always made me curious.

Jason

We dont use metal for structural parts, the frame is entirely polycarb. If we have an option to make a piece out of plastic, or even better, clear plastic, we do it.
www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/34998
If you look closely, you'll notice we even made clear wheels.
Aside from our great resources to work with plastics, we also do it because it is cool. It has always been a goal to be as clear as possible, and our robots have become clearer every year. If you ever get a chance to visit our pits, you will also see the clear isnt limited to the robot, we have clear toolboxes, as well as an awesome clear battery charging station

[Nuttyman54]

Originally Posted by jwfoss

Seems as though 190 has a long history of using polycarb...

That we do, polycarbonate is used for major features on almost every one of our robots. The 2003 robot deserves to be added to the list of cool polycarbonate features.

As does 2007 (some of you may be very confused at this mention). By far the most recognizable feature of the Goat-Dactyl were the giant sheet-metal ramps, but one of the most important features on them were the almost invisible anti-rollback devices. You can see one just above the painted numbers, and they served to keep our partners above 4" in the event that the ramps didn't lift properly or in time. We relied on the toughness of the material to survive repeated robot impacts and the many many cycles of use.

We also used the insulating properties of the material to house the custom high-power slip ring at the base of the turret in 2008.

2011 used polycarbonate wings as an alignment device for the tower base. Because they extended well beyond the frame perimeter when deployed, not only were they designed to align the robot in a full-speed (12fps) collision with the tower, but they also had to withstand the force of a worst-case collision with another robot. Polycarbonate was the only material both light enough and tough enough for the job.

It's a wonderful engineering material for it's toughness and machinability. Unlike aluminum or steel, polycarbonate will deflect elastically to absorb the energy, which means it will return to it's original shape. This is great in applications that are likely to see high impact forces, since it will not dent or kink permanently under forces that would do the same to aluminum.

[Stephi Rae]

Originally Posted by Nuttyman54

2011 used polycarbonate wings as an alignment device for the tower base. Because they extended well beyond the frame perimeter when deployed, not only were they designed to align the robot in a full-speed (12fps) collision with the tower, but they also had to withstand the force of a worst-case collision with another robot. Polycarbonate was the only material both light enough and tough enough for the job.

Additionally 190's 2011 robot had a polycarbonate claw, both the structure/sides and the pulleys for the pulleys for the polycord. The minibot was also entirely polycarb. But both of these uses were pretty common this year.

2k7 had a polycarb claw, also.