Otis Singleton
FRC electrical boards can be made from a variety of materials, depending on the team's preferences and the specific requirements of the robot. Some commonly used materials include plywood, corrugated plastic, lexan, and aluminum panels. Plywood is rigid, easy to work with, and insulating, but can be heavy. Corrugated plastic is strong and lightweight, but may require additional support. Lexan is cheap, lightweight, and easy to work with, but can be fragile if not properly supported. Aluminum panels offer strength and a sleek appearance but require careful insulation and can be challenging to work with. Ultimately, the choice of material depends on the team's specific needs and preferences, balancing factors such as weight, rigidity, ease of use, and cost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Lexan, plywood, corrugated plastic, angle iron, aluminium panels |
| Thickness | 3/16", 1/4", 1/8" |
| Mounting | Tape, drill and screw holes |
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What You'll Learn
- Plywood is rigid, heavy, and easy to work with
- Corrugated plastic is strong, lightweight, and works well in long, skinny spaces
- Lexan is cheap, light, and easy to work with, but fragile without support
- Waterjet cut aluminium panels are strong, light, and aesthetically pleasing, but require more resources and care
- Angle iron is used to reinforce corrugated plastic boards
Plywood is rigid, heavy, and easy to work with
Plywood is a material that is commonly used for electrical boards in FRC robotics. It is characterised by its rigidity, weight, and ease of use.
Plywood is a rigid material, providing stability and durability to electrical boards. Its rigidity comes from the thin sheets of wood that are glued and layered with staples or nails to form a strong, cohesive panel. This construction technique makes plywood less likely to warp or shrink over time, ensuring the stability of the electrical components mounted on it.
Plywood is also relatively heavy compared to other materials like lexan or corrugated plastic. The weight of plywood contributes to its durability and impact resistance, making it suitable for applications that require a strong and sturdy surface.
Despite its weight, plywood is still considered easy to work with. Its flat, smooth surface provides a convenient platform for mounting electrical components. Additionally, plywood can be easily cut, drilled, and shaped to accommodate specific electrical board designs. The ease of working with plywood makes it a popular choice for FRC teams, allowing them to quickly assemble and modify their electrical boards.
While plywood has its advantages, it is important to consider its limitations as well. Plywood is not as lightweight as some alternative materials, and its water and chemical resistance can vary depending on the type of wood used and the finish applied.
In conclusion, plywood is valued for its rigidity, weight, and ease of use in FRC electrical board construction. Its durability and stability make it suitable for mounting electrical components, while its workability allows for quick assembly and modifications. However, the weight and variable resistance properties of plywood are factors that teams should consider when deciding on the best material for their specific needs.
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Corrugated plastic is strong, lightweight, and works well in long, skinny spaces
FRC electrical boards can be made from a variety of materials, including plywood, corrugated plastic, lexan, and aluminium panels. The choice of material depends on various factors such as strength, weight, ease of use, and the available space in the robot's design.
Corrugated plastic is a strong yet lightweight material that is particularly well-suited for long and skinny spaces. It provides a good balance between strength and weight, making it an ideal choice for electrical boards that need to be both durable and easy to manoeuvre.
The lightweight nature of corrugated plastic means that it can be easily handled during the assembly process, reducing the overall weight of the robot. This can be advantageous for teams competing in weight-restricted robotics competitions, as it allows for more flexibility in the allocation of weight to other components.
Additionally, corrugated plastic is strong enough to support the electrical components mounted on it. By using angle iron in the middle and on the sides, teams can further enhance the strength and rigidity of the corrugated plastic board while maintaining its lightweight properties.
The long and skinny shape of corrugated plastic boards allows for efficient utilisation of space within the robot's design. This is especially beneficial when working with confined or uniquely shaped areas, ensuring that the electrical board can fit seamlessly within the robot's structure without compromising functionality.
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Lexan is cheap, light, and easy to work with, but fragile without support
When it comes to FRC electrical boards, teams have the flexibility to choose different materials based on their specific requirements and constraints. One commonly used material is Lexan, which offers several advantages. Lexan is relatively inexpensive, making it a cost-effective option for teams working within a budget. Additionally, it is lightweight, which can be beneficial for the overall weight distribution and maneuverability of the robot.
Lexan is also known for its ease of workability. Mounting electronic components onto a Lexan board is straightforward and can be achieved using tape or by drilling and threading screw holes. The simplicity of working with Lexan can significantly reduce the time required for electronics builds, allowing teams to focus more on wiring and other intricate details.
However, one of the challenges with Lexan is its fragility. While it is light and easy to work with, Lexan can be brittle and prone to breakage if not adequately supported. To address this, teams often use multiple pieces of Lexan, bolting different electronics to each piece and providing the necessary structural reinforcement. This approach ensures that the electrical board remains sturdy and can withstand the demands of competition.
The thickness of Lexan sheets used in FRC electrical boards can vary. Commonly, teams opt for 1/8" or 3/16" Lexan sheets, with some teams also using 1/4" thickness. The choice of thickness depends on the specific design requirements and the need for rigidity and strength.
While Lexan is a popular choice due to its affordability, lightness, and ease of use, teams must carefully consider its limitations. By providing adequate support and reinforcement, the fragility of Lexan can be mitigated, ensuring that the electrical board is robust and capable of housing the necessary electronic components.
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Waterjet cut aluminium panels are strong, light, and aesthetically pleasing, but require more resources and care
FRC electrical boards can be made from a variety of materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. One option is waterjet cut aluminium panels, which offer a range of benefits. These panels are known for their strength and lightweight properties, making them a desirable choice for electrical boards. The panels are also aesthetically pleasing, giving the electrical board a sleek and modern appearance.
However, it is important to consider the challenges that come with using waterjet cut aluminium panels. Firstly, they require more resources to work with compared to other materials. This includes the need for additional tools, equipment, and materials to properly cut, shape, and assemble the aluminium panels. The process of working with aluminium can be more intricate and time-consuming, requiring careful planning and execution.
Additionally, extra care must be taken when using waterjet cut aluminium panels to ensure proper insulation of the electrical components. As aluminium is a conductive material, it is crucial to take precautionary measures to avoid short circuits or electrical malfunctions. This may involve using specific types of insulation, carefully routing cables, and following best practices for securing and protecting the electrical components.
While waterjet cut aluminium panels offer strength and aesthetic advantages, they demand a higher level of attention to detail and a more comprehensive set of resources. Teams opting for this material should be prepared to invest additional time and effort into the design and assembly process to ensure a safe and functional electrical board for their FRC robot.
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Angle iron is used to reinforce corrugated plastic boards
Corrugated plastic sheets, also known as coroplast sheets, correx boards, corflute sheets, danpla boards, and PP hollow boards, are commonly used for their advantageous properties such as being moisture-proof, flame-retardant, friction-resistant, UV-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. They are also lightweight and easy to work with.
While corrugated plastic sheets offer numerous benefits, they can be fragile and require reinforcement for certain applications. Angle iron is a type of metal angle used to reinforce corrugated plastic boards, enhancing their strength and structural integrity. This technique is particularly useful when working with thinner sheets, which are more prone to bending or deformation.
Angle iron is a type of steel or iron alloy that is commonly used in construction and fabrication. It is referred to as "angle iron" because it was originally made from wrought iron. The addition of angle iron to corrugated plastic boards provides several advantages. Firstly, it increases the bending strength of the board, making it more resistant to deformation or sagging under load. Secondly, it improves the overall rigidity of the board, preventing unwanted flexing or vibration. Finally, angle iron can protect the board from damage by providing a sacrificial layer that absorbs impacts or abrasions.
When using angle iron to reinforce corrugated plastic boards, it is important to consider the thickness and size of the sheets. Thinner sheets may require more frequent placement of angle iron supports to ensure adequate reinforcement. Additionally, the angle iron should be securely attached to the board using appropriate fasteners or adhesives to ensure it does not detach or shift over time.
In summary, angle iron is a valuable tool for reinforcing corrugated plastic boards, providing increased strength, rigidity, and protection. By strategically incorporating angle iron into the design, corrugated plastic boards can be enhanced for a wider range of applications.
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Frequently asked questions
FRC electrical boards are typically made of lexan, which is cheap, light, and easy to work with. However, it can be fragile if not properly supported.
Alternative materials to lexan include plywood, corrugated plastic with angle iron, and waterjet-cut aluminum panels. Plywood is easy to work with, rigid, and insulating but heavier than lexan. Corrugated plastic with angle iron is strong, light, and effective in long and skinny spaces. Waterjet-cut aluminum panels are strong and light and look incredible, but they can be difficult to work with and require more resources and careful insulation of components.
The thickness of lexan used for FRC electrical boards can vary, with common thicknesses being 1/8", 3/16", or 1/4".
