A LESU hydraulic actuator provides a maximum 110 pounds of force: control valves are too small, the pumps and actuators have very limited pressure capacity, and the system is both heavy and unsuited to combat shock loads. Hobby grade hydraulic systems of suitable size for sub-light combat robots are designed to make scale model construction equipment operate in convincing and realistic slow motion ( LESU Video). I am wondering if you know of any lower weight class robots that make use of hydraulics? Maybe something that used parts from LESU/RC construction equipment? Ī: Hydraulic robots are uncommon in any weight class because of weight, complexity, and fragility. Q: Hi Mark, it seems like hydraulics are only used in heavyweights. If you'd like to take your chances there are many on-line metal fabrication shops you could try. I will say that SendCutSend has a good reputation among combat robot builders. I don't generally recommend specific shops for parts fabrication. Do not countersink CF for flat-head screws! The screws are tightened just enough to hold the panel in place without squashing the soft CF under the screw head. Pan-head screws will work but do not over-torque them. This makes it sound like an easy choice and I think it is - but mounting carbon fiber panels requires special attention. The structures you're fabricating are intended to be strong and stiff to limit chassis flex.Ī 2mm panel of carbon fiber will weigh about 15% less than a 1mm titanium panel, but will be about five times as stiff and have nearly six times the yield strength. Generic Carbon Fiber (there are different types) has properties useful for structures that are not directly exposed to hard impact: a high strength to weight ratio, and very high stiffness. But the structures you're fabricating are not intended to function as armor. Grade 5 Titanium has properties that are useful for armor: high tensile strength, impact resistance, and springy toughness. Thank you! Ī: You're considering two materials with very different properties. I was wondering which one you think would work best and if there are other places I could get titanium CNCed or laser-cut. I've looked into 2mm carbon fiber (about $20-30 per plate from cncmadness) and 1mm titanium ($50 per plate from sendcutsend). These top and bottom plates aren't meant to be armor, but more structural components to avoid flex in the bot. Everything is enclosed within a box made of nylonx (carbon fiber infused nylon) and I'm looking at different materials for the top and bottom plates of the bot. Q: I'm building a 3lb (beetleweight) overhead horizontal spinner. To see the most recent questions or to ask a new question, This page is one of several archives of 'Ask Aaron' questionsĪnd answers categorized by topic. Questions and Answers about Combat Robotics