Which material???

[Cyboy 1]

I want to build a durable body for the $50 robot
which material should i use?
plastic or metal
and which is cost effective?

[mbateman]

It depends on how durable and how cost effective. There are lots of materials that will work depending on your needs.

Here is the tutorial on materials... http://www.societyofrobots.com/materials.shtml

I found that plastic is pretty durable and much easier to work with for getting started. I got plexiglas from a local plastics shop out of their scrap bin for very cheap.

[Rockyboy53]

Yeah, I would go with the plastic, but it may be better to use HDPE.  If you're looking for something durable and lightweight, that's the way to go.  I don't remember how much it is.  I think it's pretty cheap, and is really effective.  Plexiglas is also a durable, but I think it's like jinxed.  It always takes forever to get to my house.  That may be completely irrelevant, but at least I spelled irrelevant right.

[Trumpkin]

Yeah, I would go with the plastic, but it may be better to use HDPE.

errr... HDPE is plastic.

[Rockyboy53]

I meant SPECIFICALLY hdpe.  I didn't mean it as something different than plastic.  I have improper grammar, OK?

[Kirk]

Actually the chassis of the tutorial robot is quite robust (HDPE and screws)
If you are looking to crank up durability of the overall structure use a larger piece of plastic like HDPE, Plexiglas, Sinatra etc, HIPS or ABS
Then you can screw your electronics to the chassis.

Don't get to concerned about what kind of plastic.  Most plastics are easy enough to work with that you can goof up and throw it away and make a new chassis with out any tears.

There should be a matrix of plastics and hobby specific characteristics based on real engineering data

Hey admin I started one in excel. What format should I use to post

Also don't discount wood.  Check out the model airplane supply,  model aircraft ply is strong. stiff, light.

The main thing is just get started!  Consider your 4th robot chassis a path to you 5th.

[Admin]

There should be a matrix of plastics and hobby specific characteristics based on real engineering data

Hey admin I started one in excel. What format should I use to post

xls will be fine

[jamort]

I used sintra from solarbotics.com for mine

[AdvsNoob]

I am using Polycarbonate, which is hard plastic that is really clear and looks likes glass, you can get it here a 12'' x 12'' for $9.08

http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=7458&step=4&showunits=inches

[Gertlex]

I used LEGO

(with an axon and servos and sensors, yes)