I have sorted out all the internals for my robot (drive systems and weaponry) and now I need to put it all together in a chassis which will be about 40 cm wide by 35 cm long by 7 cm high. I have examined different options, including Perspex, Acrylic and Polycarbonate as well as aluminum, in a number of thicknesses. However I have excluded Perspex and Acrylic because, unlike Polycarbonate, they tend to shatter if bent.
So now it is down to Polycarbonate and/or Aluminum.
So here is the problem, up for discussion or a solution.. but first I must point out (a) that the overall weight limitation in turn imposes chassis weight limitations (b) that this is my first ever robot wars entry, and (c) I am likely to be up against cutting and tearing devices.
I already have the weights of the different materials in hand, so all of the following options are possible in terms of weight.
Option 1: Do it all in 6 mm Polycarbonate.
Option 2: Combine a thin (2 mm aluminum) outer shell with an underlying 3 mm polycarbonate one to get a good mix of the properties of both (rigid and hard, thin and heavy + flexible and strong, thick and light.
Option 3: As Option 2 but the other way round - 3mm Polycarbonate on the outside and 2 mm Aluminum on the inside.
Should I go with Option 1, 2, 3 or something else altogether that maybe I am not seeing? (Note: having it all in 3 mm aluminum is not possible as it will be too heavy - I checked)
Should I have the aluminum on the outside as a heavy duty shell or on the inside as a "last resort" layer? (Note: In my mind these layers would be held together with nuts and bolts with washers to spread any impact loads; but even here should the nuts and bolts be tightened for rigidity or left slightly loose for impact absorption?)
Any advice, especially from people seasoned in the art of robot warfare please?
