New robot building material?

[Trumpkin]

Sintra plastic http://www.solarbotics.net/starting/200207_sintra/200207_sintra.html do you think it would be stiff enough for bigger robots?

[ArcMan]

What size are you talking about?

The 3mm Expanded PVC (Sintra) is not very stiff, but the 6mm stuff is pretty stiff.  I made a 12" x 12" platform with it with no flexing problems.

As far as strength (or stiffness) to weight ratio - aluminum plate is definitely better, but Sintra is cheaper and very easy to work with.  I even tap holes in it and the screws hold very well.

[Admin]

you think it would be stiff enough for bigger robots?

a very subjective question, no?

You need to specify the exact forces you expect/estimate, do a force body diagram, then do a bending stress analysis. Otherwise you're just guessing.

(or you can buy/test it)

And then there are the issues that ArcMan brought up, meaning it depends on your tools and skill level, too.


(one day I'll write a FBD and stress analysis tutorial . . . one day . . .)