Will you be offering just the panels or complete chasis kits? I already have a complete CH3-R running around and would love to replace just the plates. I have a buffing wheel waiting to put a mirrored finish on them.
BTW does anyone here do vacuum forming? I thought it would be cool to have some “shell” pieces that can clip on the legs to go with the aluminum chasis. Not something to completely cover the legs, but panels where you’d still be able to see the servos and wiring beneath it.
I know just what you are talking about. Unfortunetly, I don’t do this sort of thing. Perhaps Jim can get a machine for use to use? 
We plan to offer chassis kits as the starting point.
I have often thought about adding vac formed bodies, but never got beyond the thought process.
Arghh, we decide to start ordering black anodizing AND clear anodizing and now everyone wants no anodizing as an option. Uggg. 
Well, the existing SES stuff is black anodized or brushed, so you can’t blame folks… 
I want the black ano, so I’m a happy camper in any case.
The clear anodizing would be fine since I’d only polish the top surface. Keeping unprotected aluminum shiny is a nightmare.
Let’s forget the vacuum forming for the time being. . . but imagine instead. . . carbon fiber body panels!
I dont like the looks of carbon fiber. Painted is fine but seeing the fiber cross hatch is yucky looking.
lots of information for building vacuum forming boxes and techniques on the net if you go looking. It’s not that difficult to do and in my experience it is a lot harder to make the plugs then doing the actual forming process.
I LOVE CARBON FIBRE!!!
Guys, let’s just try to be thankful that Jim is moving to ano aluminum parts… this is a very, very happy development.
I AGREE!!! ROUND OF APPLUASE
I wanted red, and I won’t buy any untill they are red! 
He he just kidding, they look great. 
One more thing[size=200] HOW DO YOU NOT LIKE CARBON FIBER!!![/size]
I like it but I dislike the burlap look. If you paint the material, then it is strong and light.
If it’s not painted then it just looks like spacejunk…
JK
[size=150]LMAO![/size]
If you paint carbon it just gets heavy, and that look you don’t like is from the generalized use of 2 by 2 twill weave. To truly optimize the composite part you would end up with a very different finish. Many times to achieve the “carbon” look the final layer is the twill with the rest some other weave.
+1 to carbon SES though
excuse the hijack
nick_a
-1 to carbon, it is a fantastic material for it’s strength to weight ratio, but its looks is enough to make me want to launch my lunch. Its a great material, but you wont catch me using it on my bots. I want my bot to look like a bot and not like he’s wearing plad pants from the 70’s
I’m also sorry about the hijack. 
your telling me this looks ugly??
http://f1store.formula1.com/catalog/images/2006MOUSEMATSTDCARBON-1.jpg
Sorry bout the Hijack
EeewwwWW ! what the heck are all those spots! Unless you want a poka-doted robot…
I’m just messing with ya, although I still dislike the cross hatches of the fibers.
Ok, so it took roughly 8 weeks to get these in. Oh by the way, the aluminum Hexapod 3-R chassis panels are in stock! Whoo hooo! This is the first of many more aluminum parts that are being made for us. Keep checking what’s new on the website.
The AH3-R kits are now shipping with the clear anodized parts. The BH3-R will remain yellow lexan. The CH3-R kits are now shipping with black anodized parts. The bare chassis are available in the Servo Erector Sets Chassis and Accessories section of the website for customers who want to upgrade their existing kits.
SHINY!!!
Sweet!
It looks like the C leg ends are still plastic for now, correct? If so, I’ll probably wait for the legs and just make one big order.
Thanks!
