Chassis maker looking for advice

daverama
Box Stock

Posts: 2

Chassis maker looking for advice Jun 4, 2020 9:28:43 GMT -7

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Post by daverama on Jun 4, 2020 9:28:43 GMT -7

Hello all,

just joined this forum, as soon as I learned about it. I'm a maker that typically has done combat robotics. It's cool to see this level of competition in derby.

Recently I have been CNC machining derby chassis for sale on ebay. I've always assumed my customers were boy scouts with limited tools but wanting a cool looking car. I hadn't thought there might be high end racers that might want cnc'd cars.

I'm curious is there is a value I can provide to this community with chassis design and machining. But I'm not sure if its considered 'bad taste' here to buy chassis vs making your own.

Regards,

Dave

Turbo Sloth
Rookie of the Year

Posts: 96

Chassis maker looking for advice Jun 4, 2020 9:46:40 GMT -7

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Post by Turbo Sloth on Jun 4, 2020 9:46:40 GMT -7

There's a wide variety of ways that pro racers make their bodies. Several of us have CNC routers or laser cutters, while others use scroll saws or similar. Some even 3D print their bodies as some of the race classes don't require the body to be made of wood.

Many make their own, many buy them as well. You could throw up a couple of your creations to see if they spark interest.

daverama
Box Stock

Posts: 2

Chassis maker looking for advice Jun 4, 2020 10:15:44 GMT -7

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Post by daverama on Jun 4, 2020 10:15:44 GMT -7

Thanks Turbo -

kind of suspected there is a lot of maker-capability in this group.

Learning more about the competitive styles -- I would have to make some new concepts. Most until now are probably considered "uncompetitive" because they aren't nearly as minimal as the designs I've seen here. Other than BoxStock of course

Here's a recent one. Just a 1.75" wide design, no fenders .
imgur.com/a/i71FsOg

But I'd be keen to get familiar with the competitive concepts - slot or drill hole for axles, 'fenders' for the wheels, weight insert features, also maybe CAD cg calcs, and potentially CFD (been trying to get a good program for this).

Dave

chuy
Poll Group

Posts: 241

Chassis maker looking for advice Jun 4, 2020 19:38:11 GMT -7 Veteran's Freedom Center, Cherokee Chuck, and 1 more like this

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Post by chuy on Jun 4, 2020 19:38:11 GMT -7

Dave,

Welcome to the boards.

I don't have a CNC but I have some equipment that might compliments your efforts. Let me know. I have:

Solid Works and Solid Edge (both programs create solids, .stl and g-code).

CFD (prepackaged into SolidEdge) www.youtube.com/watch?v=04QXRXz991Q

Pitsco Wind Tunnel. Mine looks just like this one on this page. www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/tunpart.html I don't want to go down there to take a pic. Here is a clear car i use for analysis www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL2Z65mLKAs

Spectrum Analyzer. This is basically a machine that you can put a liquid into and based on the atoms, it tells you what the substance is.

I own both a stereomicroscope and regular microscope (400x). I do have access to a variety of electron microscopes but don't own those.

I personally own both an FDM and a SLA 3d printer as well as having access to exotic material 3d printers (titanium and tungsten).

I will offer a piece of advice, abandon traditional engineering concepts when looking at these little cars. I used to be an automotive engineer and worked in the oil industry but have found that 95% of the solution is not there IMHO.

Welcome again.

Last Edit: Jun 5, 2020 9:42:37 GMT -7 by chuy

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Chassis maker looking for advice

Post by daverama on Jun 4, 2020 9:28:43 GMT -7

Post by Turbo Sloth on Jun 4, 2020 9:46:40 GMT -7

Post by daverama on Jun 4, 2020 10:15:44 GMT -7

Post by chuy on Jun 4, 2020 19:38:11 GMT -7

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