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pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robots?

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  • pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robots?

    what are the various pros and cons for using STEEL and HDPE for a featherweight are? i am able to work with both but i want too hear the pros and cons and see which would be better?

  • #2
    Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

    hdpe is good for taking impacts and is easy to work with

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    • #3
      Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

      true, if i were to make a whole robot out of 3-4mm steel, would it be too heavy?

      also, what is it like for absording shocks from spinners etc?

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      • #4
        Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

        Steel can take the abuse but its usually advised to put it at angles so things glance off. Satanix is made entirely from 4mm steel, and its had a few bends and a large whelt in the back, but generally its stood up quite well. Its not the easiest to work with, but if its contrusted well I think it takes the knocks better than HDPE, less likely to split wide open.

        In terms of weight, you'd be advised to keep the robot small, Satanix is 13.6kg and its comparitivly small for a feather (but then again I have an 8mm steel lid and a 10mm spacing bar at the back :P)

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        • #5
          Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

          this one would be made probably from 3-4mm steel and have a steel box tube frame for re-enforcment.

          so if i amgled it properly, did the sides 4mm and the top and base plate 3mm with a box tube frame, do ya think i would come under 13.6kg?

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          • #6
            Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

            Could you not then make your reinforcement out of hdpe and your shell out of steel? Take the best of both world.

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            • #7
              Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

              The truth with regards to material is, that it depends on what you require from it.

              I have found with Seraph that HDPE is the best material the wheels are made from 8mm and has taken a direct hit from NST that ejected NST out of the arena and Seraph went on working, But this is because the design allows for the robot to be made that way the thinnest armour on Seraph is only 3mm HDPE!

              Tron on the other hand is a classic steel box design, and has 5mm steel sides this has been bent by NST or LS1 I can't
              remember, but the damage was small and didn't cause a problem I would say as a general rule, round the edge is best
              steel and the top can be HDPE.

              But you know your design, and the weapons of the other robots you will be fighting and try to design a robot to
              circumnavigate the opponents attack. try to think smart and come up with different designs (to everyone else) that way
              you can have the edge on the other robots.

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              • #8
                Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

                i guess i could go for steel sides then make some bracket of them and have hdpe lid and base?

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                • #9
                  Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

                  i would go for the other way round thick hdpe sides and a steel front, top and bottom

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                  • #10
                    Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

                    im thinking more the steel for spinners so primarally sides then hdpe top for axes

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                    • #11
                      Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

                      my reasoning is that if your steel sides get bent inwards after an impact it may cripple your drive, it would more likly take a chunk of hdpe and throw the robot a little. having the thicker sides would also help to keep the front plate on.

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                      • #12
                        Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

                        ah, i do see your thinking, there are pros and cons to both set-ups and both are about the same, its just which i decide to choose

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                        • #13
                          Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

                          10mm hdpe + 2mm steel bolted onto that

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                          • #14
                            Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

                            If you were to slope the sides and have them made of steel would it not just deflect the blow? then your top could be hdpe for as you said for axe blows?

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                            • #15
                              Re: pros and cons of metal (steel mainly) and hdpe for robot

                              i was thinking 8mm hdpe to keep weight down and that would still protect against most axes and 4mm angled steel. or would i get away with 10mm hdpe?

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