Working on adding more space to a simple sheet-metal chassis design that we will likely implement next year.
All sheet is .063 with multiple bends and inner braces/standoffs to add strength and rigidity. Torsional rigidity is a bit low but will stiffen with an extra center brace and more parts on top. Rails are covered to allow mounting of electronics/pneumatics.
Simple belt paths for 9mm belt and a 30:42 external reduction with the same reductions as last year for:
Free: Loaded:
HG: 21.50 ft/s 17.41 ft/s
LG: 8.12 ft/s 6.58 ft/s
It’s a a bit of a tight fit with the 30:42 reduction and is a bit nicer with a 24:42 reduction, but results in quite a bit slower bot (but still usable!).
Free: Loaded:
HG: 18.76 ft/s 15.20 ft/s
LG: 7.09 ft/s 5.74 ft/s
This design allows the rails to be just 2.5" wide and still retain similar robot length and width to a rectangular design. Difference is less than an inch which is well within the dimensions that we undersize to pass inspection.
Inverting the ballshifters is the trickiest part of this design. I haven’t disassembled ours yet, but the 30:54 shifting stage actually has to be reversed (remove the clip and switch order) and new CIM holes drilled (or another case of the same type). We might end up 3D printing a custom casing from Nylon if we run into problems repurposing the Vex components.