What would be an easy way to put on and remove bumpers in a fast manner?
for the past couple years we have used C-channel on the bumper itself and it would fit on the robot either on square tubing or another set of C-channel. the bumpers are held on with pins like these: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202210293/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
the pins are easily removable and have held very well. usually 2 pins per bumper part. when i find pictures of the back of our bumpers i can post them for you.
Yes, your pictures would be appreciated.
My current thinking is that the bumpers will be “L” shaped this year. If coverage needs to be wider than the 8" requirement, the corners may meet in the middle.
so i found out we don’t EVER take pictures of the bumpers, this is the best one i have until i can get my hands on a bumper tomorrow. this is the upper frame of our 2010 robot, you can see the pins holding the bumper in place.
the frame was 1 inch aluminum square tubing and we got aluminum C-channel that was a little more than a inch wide that fit snugly over the square tubing. each bumper was held on and we marked where the pins would go and drilled the frame there. the side bumpers were held on with 3 pins but we really only needed 2.
Instead of a C-channel, which holds the bumper away from the frame by the thickness of the channel material, (a problem with inspections in the past, but not so much now), we use pieces of aluminum angle above and below the frame. These angle brackets are bolted to the plywood and are drilled for pins to go through the frame. Using spring pins is a very good way to quickly change bumpers.
Dr. Bob
Chairman’s Award is not about building the robot. Every team builds a robot.