Mousetrap Vehicle C

[windu34]

Why would titanium be better than aluminum?

EDIT: Discovered that aluminum threaded rod bends a good amount

You would also save a significant amount of weight

Is a stainless steel or steel rod good?

Both Stainless steel and steel are denser and thus will be heavier, but like I said earlier, it really only matters if you have optimized many of the other parts of your vehicle already and are looking for marginal improvements to make. If you are not at this stage yet, don't bother with this.

[rafaelnadal]

First time doing a build, and i kind of have to because we're severely lacking in dedicated members this year after our good seniors all left

Any general tips?? Or like a list of compenents that a good MV has?

Also, one of the builders on my team just got a 3D printer for his birthday, and he I could use it!

Does using a 3D printer help? How would i use it (like what part of the mousetrap would I use it for? Idk how the printer works :/)

Sorry for asking such scrub questions, I have no clue how builds work and i'm trying to figure out.

Also what's a good rod? carbon fiber/balsa/titanium/aluminum? price isn't an issue since my coach will reimburse me (well it is a problem if its like 1000$)

[PM2017]

First time doing a build, and i kind of have to because we're severely lacking in dedicated members this year after our good seniors all left

Any general tips??

Also, one of the builders on my team just got a 3D printer for his birthday, and he said it's open for S.O members to use.

Does using a 3D printer help? How would i use it (like what part of the mousetrap would I use it for? Idk how the printer works)

Sorry for asking such scrub questions, I have no clue how builds work and i'm trying to figure out.

Hi!

Firstly, no such thing as a scrub question, especially when you're new to something.


Alex-RCHS did a great job with tips for getting started (Third post on page five.), so I'll just refer to that instead of restating everything in that post.

A 3d printer most definitely helps. It's a lot more precise and gives you a lot more freedom than using only premade objects.
The way I've designed my vehicle draws a lot of inspiration from Windu34's electric vehicle from last year, in which he used 3d printer piece's as connectors for square rods as the backbone of the vehicle. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_Fe-PyHDsg)
If you don't know how 3d printers work, I'm going to make the assumption that you aren't familiar with CAD. (If this isn't true, just skip over this part.) CAD stands for computer-aided design. It's a very powerful tool that allows you to design models on a computer, which can then be used to 3d print the objects, as well as for a reference while making the whole project. (As part of my school's robotics team, I can tell you that the only way that we're actually able to build everything properly is by designing first, then starting to build.)

I hope I helped!

Let me know if I missed anything.

I also have a question. I'm thinking of using these wheels for my vehicle: https://www.servocity.com/4-00-precision-disk-wheels. Thoughts on using these?

[windu34]

I also have a question. I'm thinking of using these wheels for my vehicle: https://www.servocity.com/4-00-precision-disk-wheels. Thoughts on using these?

The durometer rating on those wheels is 70A which is pretty hard. I would try to go for something in the 30A - 40A range (30-50A is fine too). Softer wheels allows for better grip thus higher acceleration and braking forces

[rafaelnadal]

First time doing a build, and i kind of have to because we're severely lacking in dedicated members this year after our good seniors all left

Any general tips??

Also, one of the builders on my team just got a 3D printer for his birthday, and he said it's open for S.O members to use.

Does using a 3D printer help? How would i use it (like what part of the mousetrap would I use it for? Idk how the printer works)

Sorry for asking such scrub questions, I have no clue how builds work and i'm trying to figure out.

Hi!

Firstly, no such thing as a scrub question, especially when you're new to something.


Alex-RCHS did a great job with tips for getting started (Third post on page five.), so I'll just refer to that instead of restating everything in that post.

A 3d printer most definitely helps. It's a lot more precise and gives you a lot more freedom than using only premade objects.
The way I've designed my vehicle draws a lot of inspiration from Windu34's electric vehicle from last year, in which he used 3d printer piece's as connectors for square rods as the backbone of the vehicle. (I'll add the link to the video after asking him permission.)

If you don't know how 3d printers work, I'm going to make the assumption that you aren't familiar with CAD. (If this isn't true, just skip over this part.) CAD stands for computer-aided design. It's a very powerful tool that allows you to design models on a computer, which can then be used to 3d print the objects, as well as for a reference while making the whole project. (As part of my school's robotics team, I can tell you that the only way that we're actually able to build everything properly is by designing first, then starting to build.)

I hope I helped!

Let me know if I missed anything.

I also have a question. I'm thinking of using these wheels for my vehicle: https://www.servocity.com/4-00-precision-disk-wheels. Thoughts on using these?

After some digging and post-reading, I think I pretty much understand

Anyone know a good place to get threaded carbon fiber rods for a reasonable price? (also would titanium be the best option for rods? or is carbon fiber a decent option too?

Also for the frame/lever arm, should i use basswood or carbon fiber square rods?

[retired1]

The Servo City wheels should work quite well. The problem is the 0.500 hole. This nearly mandates that you use an aluminum adapter which adds weight.
Years ago, our team used Dr. Fizzex wheels with plastic adapters. He had enough complaints about the hubs that he quit selling them. It did take some good gluing.
Some teams used 45 rpm records. They are not all exactly the same diameter and some are too flimsy to use. Balloons for tires. A royal pain some times.
The 2 mousetraps do not have a lot of power, so building light is very important.
The picture of the car needs horns to contain the plastic cup

[PM2017]

The Servo City wheels should work quite well. The problem is the 0.500 hole. This nearly mandates that you use an aluminum adapter which adds weight.
Years ago, our team used Dr. Fizzex wheels with plastic adapters. He had enough complaints about the hubs that he quit selling them. It did take some good gluing.
Some teams used 45 rpm records. They are not all exactly the same diameter and some are too flimsy to use. Balloons for tires. A royal pain some times.
The 2 mousetraps do not have a lot of power, so building light is very important.
The picture of the car needs horns to contain the plastic cup

Just this morning, I sent my friend a request to print the adapters for me. Should I tell him to stop the print and go with a different adapting system, or do you think its worth giving a shot? (I don't want to waste the wheels by gluing something on that doesn't work, and leaves glue residue.)


Also, Windu34, I appreciate your advice, but I think I'll go the cost-efficient route and go with the 70 shore A durometer, then change the system between regionals and state.

[rafaelnadal]

So i got some carbon fiber tubes for the frame/lever arm

I'm planning on getting banebots, is there a recommended diamter for the car? I think the outer diameter's range from like 1-3/8 in to 2-7/8.

Also I'm still slightly confused on what people use 3D printers for...like what parts?

[shrewdPanther46]

So i got some carbon fiber tubes for the frame/lever arm

I'm planning on getting banebots, is there a recommended diamter for the car? I think the outer diameter's range from like 1-3/8 in to 2-7/8.

Also I'm still slightly confused on what people use 3D printers for...like what parts?

For this event, I would say generally for wheel hubs/adapters for the axle. For example, for your banebots wheels, they have a sort of hexagonal inner shape. So, you need a hub to attach it to a cylindrical axle (they sell some on banebots' site, but only for a few specific diameters, which often results in the need to print a hub).

[PM2017]

Also I'm still slightly confused on what people use 3D printers for...like what parts?

3d printed pieces are for connecting the carbon fiber to make a frame as well as what the post above says.