I am trying to find a better design than our last year’s control board. I saw many teams last year with control boards that actually folded up. Does anyone have any input or even pictures they could share to get the ideas flowing? Any suggestions to make it more portable and lighter?
I agree with you, my team is also looking for a new more lightweight and more portable design.
if done right a folding OI can be kind of nice. We had one in 05 that was just hinged lexan with everything bolted to it, it was small and light but a pain to deal with due to poor design and the fact that it was thrown together in an hour
We have also done a folding control board for many years. Basically three 1/4 inch lexan rectangles hinged together. The center piece should be the shortest and really just enough to accomodate the OI with the joysticks plugged in, plus an extra 2 inches on each side that will support the other wings when the board is open. The joysticks should be mounted on a two pieces roughly 18 inches long. A couple 2x4’s at the top with some velcro for a bit of support and a rope carrying handle and you should be good! I dont have exact dimensions at the moment, but if you PM Jim Zondag I believe he would know.
We used aluminum extrusion, with lexan in the slots. We mounted everything to those. It was three sections, with the OI in the middle, and then pieces long enough for joysticks on the sides. I’ll take a picture of it on monday.
We had a folding control board last year (but I don’t have a photo :o )
It was really nice because it was easier to carry (A little heavy though)
I hated having to carry controls with my arms outstretched, especially while waiting in those long que lines.
Ours was made of wood (simple yet nice) and it had four hinges. It had a flux capacitor! :ahh: Just kidding!
We originally had a metal chain (lookin’ so fly!) but we had to put on a shoulder rest. (the lines were REALLY long at nationals!)
I would suggest making one because it was worth the effort!
(P.S.) Along with our fly control board 
we’re going to have an ‘easier than most’ button this year! 
Last year I helped design and built a Control Board/Suitcase apparatus with Team 172.
Essentially, it was all constructed out of lexan, which hinged and folded up into a nice 10" x 10" x 24" rectangle with a suitcase style handle on top.
The joysticks were mounted on the two square end plates that folded down to the table. The computer board was mounted centered on the base piece, while the transmitter and other hardware was mounted on the three top sheets of lexan (which folded out and behind the base when deployed.)
I wish I had some pictures to post, but I won’t be able to get any 'till monday. I’ll be sure to post some then! 
http://www.swindsor.k12.ct.us/Highschool/bobcats/picset2006philly/images/img_1021.jpg
That’s the one we used last year, complete with joysticks, and laptop.^
EDIT:
http://www.swindsor.k12.ct.us/Highschool/bobcats/picset2006philly/images/dsc04169.jpg
Unfolded^
Team 648 has used a hinged, 3-section control panel for a long time. Just 3 simple wood boards hinged together and slots cut in the ends for handles. They also connect with pegs that slip in at the top and then a clip on a safety hasp to keep it closed. Very simple. Maybe I’ll push for a lexan/extrusion one this year that will match our bot.
Got any diamond plate?
The past two years, we had a folding OI. Neither of them were easy to carry, light, or more portable than one that doesn’t fold. Either we were doing something wrong, or there really isn’t much of a positive for having an OI fold up.