New build too heavy??

Heres a link to UHMWPE Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
Youll find the various descriptions of the shorthand names as you browse the site.:)

http://www.directplasticsonline.co.uk/home.php?cat=3682http://www.directplasticsonline.co.uk/home.php?cat=3682

Polycarbonate is expensive and Id suggest that youd need perhaps 10mm or thicker.

Heres a link to give you a taste of price ....they dont list the thicker sheet.
http://www.westwardplastics.co.uk/d_selector.php?page=2&cat=glazing&subcat1=Polycarb onate%&subcat2=Clearhttp://www.westwardplastics.co.uk/d_...&subcat2=Clear

(Message edited by woody on October 28, 2007)

Technobots stock half, quarter and 1/8 sheets of Polycarbonate in various thicknesses
http://technobots.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Polycarbonate_Sheet_103.htmlhttp://technobots.co.uk/acatalog/Onl...Sheet_103.html

I would agree with the comments about kart tyres - they take up a lot of space and are easily damaged. About the only benefit they have is that they are easy to build into a robot.

Ground clearance is a significant factor in combat success, particularly in the UK with the number of flippers. The problem with four wheels is that getting low ground clearance is not easy - the arena floors are never flat, so if you run the robot too low, you will get grounded.

Generally easier (and lighter) to use just two drive wheels and have the front of the robot sliding on the ground.

the link to direct plastics woody suggested is a very good one. they have a lrage range of stock and are very helpful if you need any help

ok thanks for all comments, one other thing im not too sure about is how i can attatch the kart wheels to my robot, as i dont have any hubs etc... because i want to attatch them to a bar with a sprocket welded on, any ideas?
thanks

(Message edited by mjones40 on October 30, 2007)

i have a few photos on photobucket with kart pics on if thats any help. swanaldo_2007 is the place to look on there.

what kinda chain and sprockets are u using? where u get them, i was thinking of using bicycle chain?

i used a racing kart place at newark to get all the bits but really you dont have to go that exotic because were expensive at the time. there are cheaper options but a little heavier. a bearings place would be the cheaper option. you can get the sprockets and carriers and the hub carriers and wheels from ebay. just make sure they are all the same size. i wouldnt use bike chain. get the kart chain its much stronger and i think it was about 15 quid for chain if i remember so not too bad.

so if i do change the design to 2 wheels, would i get some sort of caster for the front of the robot? if so which do u suggest for me?

You can get ball rollers (like a big ball bearing pressed into a plate), but honestly the most you want is a block of nylon to run on the floor. Dont use a caster or you will induce shopping trolly like handling.

a bearings place should do the ball rollers but i dont think they are cheap. like kane said a block of nylon is another option. there should be a pic on my photobook of the ball rollers so you know what they look like.