The kids have settled on which robot they want, fortunately they have picked the lifter/flipper version which pleases me no end as its easier to build given the weight restraint.

This magic weight limit although sounds very large 13.6kg isn't that much once you start adding armor to, well a brick of a machine to be honest.

So keeping that in mind, I've had some sample materials arrive in the post, i was aiming to use hardox for the armor but its not easy getting hold of the correct thickness 3-4mm is near impossible at the moment, unless someone knows a source.

SO my samples that arrives are a sheet of polycarbonate, a sheet of lexan ( both in 3 and 5mm) and some sample 1.5mm titanium as well as some titanuim zink mix which has been anodized to take colour.

I can now experiment with each material to see which one of these maybe a good choice for armor. it also gives me some practice welding on titanium (something I've not done before)
These are purly samples to experiment with to which i can judge to see which material will make a suitable armor.
I am looking to use HDPE for the internal structure/bulkheads, and possibly an aluminum chassis. all subject to change at the moment. but for now this is my rough direction.

I'll know more once I've done some tests on the materials i have and I've spent some decent time in CAD making up a more detailed model of the machine.


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