Coupling nuts

[jman571]

Hello again,

So I'm getting to work on my robot once again. And I've ordered some plastic to be cut to my specifications but what I want to do is reinforce the internal area of the robot with coupling nuts, which I believe have been referred to on this site before. By using a coupling nut (http://www.cns-sales.com/product.html) I can attach the top piece to the bottom using a bolt, at least that's what I hope to do. A trip to my local Home Depot found a couple different sizes of them, but unfortunately I need one at least 5.7cm in length. While the one's I found where much, much wider and about 4cm in length. So there's a Lowe's near me, should I try that place out? Or otherwise, does anyone have a better solution to reinforce the robot chassis?

I can post a SketchUp CAD of the robot, if needed.

[airman00]

Yep lowes or home depot have to sell them!!!

Check around a lot , because those stores aren't the most organized when it comes to finding small hardware parts. Also, if you find coupling nuts that are too short just get a lot of them and put them together with the bolt size you need

[Admin]

what I want to do is reinforce the internal area of the robot with coupling nuts

hmmmm not sure what you mean?

[JBot]

Being new here I'm assuming everyone knows about McMaster Carr - they have everything and ship immediately with 1-2 day delivery. They may not be the most competitive on price but when you need that special piece - they have it. http://www.mcmaster.com/ (search "coupling nut"). I assume by "reinforcing the internal area" you mean adding a coupling nut with screws on each end as a stiffener. That would work.

[jman571]

what I want to do is reinforce the internal area of the robot with coupling nuts

hmmmm not sure what you mean?

Ok I'll post a couple pictures here to help explain, I think your own CAD image can help explain Admin:

The first attached picture shows the coupling nuts emphasized in your CAD drawing, essentially I want to put these in the "middle" of the robot (the shell is made of acrylic, and is entirely enclosed on all sides) to support the roof, this way I can get easy access to my battery to remove & recharge, as well as service the rest of the parts. I want to use two of these to support the roof, connecting it to the base. This would be an alternative to chemical bond glue, which I'm using on all the side pieces.

I was at Lowe's today, and I unfortunately cannot find a coupling nut with the specific length that I need. So instead my uncle will be able to cut a bolt to length, and in combination with some nuts, that will hold up the roof. This alternative is shown in the second picture, my crappy Paint diagram that seem to be all the rage on these forums lately 

I want to post a link to the SketchUp CAD drawing, but unfortunately it's not on this computer, I will hopefully add a link to it later on.

[ALZ]

Hi: I think I know what you are talking about. They are called "standoffs" . Just about any electronic place will sell them. Jameco.com etc. If you don't want to pay for S/H give Radio Shack a try.

Hello again,

So I'm getting to work on my robot once again. And I've ordered some plastic to be cut to my specifications but what I want to do is reinforce the internal area of the robot with coupling nuts, which I believe have been referred to on this site before. By using a coupling nut (http://www.cns-sales.com/product.html) I can attach the top piece to the bottom using a bolt, at least that's what I hope to do. A trip to my local Home Depot found a couple different sizes of them, but unfortunately I need one at least 5.7cm in length. While the one's I found where much, much wider and about 4cm in length. So there's a Lowe's near me, should I try that place out? Or otherwise, does anyone have a better solution to reinforce the robot chassis?

I can post a SketchUp CAD of the robot, if needed.

[Admin]

To mount those standoffs, or spacers, I drill really tight holes into my plastic. Then I can either tap threading into the plastic, or if its soft like HDPE, the spacer will self thread into it.

Look into 'lock nuts' for something otherwise.

[Brandon121233]

Yeah I used standoffs for Walbot and they're great for making a sturdy robot chassis, I think I ordered mine on Trossen http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/c/2932-Standoffs.aspx

[jman571]

Hmmm interesting, essentially they are coupling nuts, but you don't need an additional bolt or rod. What I ended up doing was using a 9/16 diameter threaded rod, with nuts, almost exactly as depicted in my crude diagram, except I needed a pair of nuts on both sides of each plate. I love the robot I made (I feel bad calling it that, more like "glorified RC car") but I couldn't have gotten to this point without the help of this forum and especially Admin, who made it all possible. I will hopefully get some pictures up eventually, and maybe some video, but in the mean time, I have to hand in some paperwork for the project, and will be busy with all that this week.

[Webbot]

From my local DIY store, in the UK, I buy lengths of plastic 'rawl plug'. This is a plastic tube with a hole in the middle. Normally comes in 12 inch lengths, with a variety of hole sizes. This is good as you can hacksaw it to whatever length you need and then just use self tapping screws. Less sturdy than metal standoffs - but easy to create in whatever height you need - so great for prototyping. And very cheap.