Materials

Common materials to construct your robot out of are detailed below. There are certain limits on the materials that can be used see the competition rules for more information.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a thermosetting plastic also known as Perspex. For fighting robots it is generally purchased as sheets of varying thicknesses (typically 2,3 and 5mm). These sheets are often then cut into shapes using a laser cutter. The sheets can also be cut using a saw, drilled or filed by hand. Acrylic is fairly strong but also brittle.

Plywood

Plywood is a man made wooden material consisting of thin sheets of laminated pine. Each sheet is arranged so the grain is at right angles to the layer below it giving it strength in both directions. There are many types of plywood which vary in strength and moisture resistance depending on how the wood has been treated. ‘Laser cuttable’ Plywood is suitable to be laser cut on a laser cutter. However often the laser will scorch the plywood producing smoke and soot which can accumulate on the laser head. While ‘laser cuttable’ plywood minimises this smoke and the fire risk, some technicians avoid laser cutting plywood if possible to extend the life of the laser cutter. Make sure you ask permission of the appropriate member of staff before using any university equipment such as the laser cutter.

Aluminium

Aluminium is a lightweight metal that is relatively flexible but won't shatter like plastics.

Aluminium can be bought as sheets, these sheets can be folded or rolled to make more complex shapes. However these processes require the aluminium be below a certain thickness depending on the bending forces available.

Aluminium can also be purchased as extruded shapes which are good for constructing a frame. There are many cross section shapes (refered to as sections) to choose from including a rectangle/square (box section), circular (tube/pipe section), u section, t section, h (beam) section.

Aluminium can also be cut and drilled, as well as tapped and threaded. High Speed Steel (HSS) drill bits are recommended when drilling any metal (these are different to drill bits used for wood). A hacksaw is the saw most suited to cutting aluminium by hand. A ban-saw can also be used depending on the current blade installed.

Steel

Steel is heavier, tougher and less flexible than aluminium. Hence it requires more force to bend and roll than aluminium.

Steel is also available in a wide range of forms, including sheets and extruded shapes.