Continuing to explore new materials beyond Cordura for bumpers. We tried sailcloth from Sailrite a couple years ago but found it both brittle (tore so much we replaced them entirely after our first event) and difficult to sew. We tried Keprotec and it was great but only came in red and not blue. Anyone have a specific cloth you like to use? VX-21? Dyneema? I guess I’m looking for slick and durable, or rougher and “stickier” than Cordura. Thanks.
What did you use from sailrite? 3322 tried 4oz Dacron from there last year and had a similar experience (it just didn’t stand up to FRC).
973 and 974, I think. Nylon 1.5oz
We used the same stuff. It tore a little, but we found some red/blue sailcloth tape at aircraftspruce to do quick patch jobs.
For this year we may try 420d nylon pack cloth. Tired of patching bumpers.
Take a look at our 420d nylon for super slick & competition covers that we’ve used for our robot the past several years. Also the super tough is new this year, and that is 1000d Cordura. We’ve never had issues with our 420d nylon tearing. http://www.robopromo.com/product_p/rp-2002.htm
http://www.robopromo.com/product_p/rp-2024.htm
Mike,
Thanks for this info. I will consult with the team about your products, including the iron-on service. Can we specify locations for the numbers on the fabric (center, left, right)?
Yes, you can specify where you’d like them in the notes during checkout, send us a print, or give us a call. Whichever is easiest for you! We will also iron-on the FIRST logo for free when you include iron-on service in your order, and you can specify if/where you’d like those placed as well. You get 8 sets of the logo: http://www.robopromo.com/product_p/rp-2026.htm