Dimensions

[JakeButler]

What length are say a bottom plate? Just general dimensions across bots?

[Ellis]

It completely depends on the kind of machine. A baseplate could be anywhere from 20x20cm to 50x50cm, depending on the shape and design of the machine.

[Liftoff]

I'd go for the smallest size possible, but first make sure you got all your components and design your robot around them. The larger you go the more difficult it will become to keep within the weight limit, I learnt this from experience! Don't exceed 50cm square...

[Eventorizon]

If you know all the parts that are going in the machine, make some 1:1 scale cardboard models of every part and then sit down and try and make them go into the smallest space possible. Try various configurations until you get the size right down.

You obviously need to keep in mind where wires will run, where your wheels go and where the chassis will be around all the parts as you do this. I managed to shrink the volume of my new machine by about 30% by just sitting down with all the parts for a few hours and trying different layouts.

Put time into the planning. It will save you money, weight and time in the future!

[typhoon_driver]

Use CAD. Either means Computer Aided Design or Cardboard Aided Design. Both techniques work well