Simsalabim 515 gram 3D-Printed combat robot

1. About Us

We are a group of engineering students from TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) in Austria. We are designing high-performance robots to compete in RoboFetz, the university's annual combat robotics tournament. Our goal is to push the limits of material science by combining advanced 3D printing with precision CNC machining.

2. Project "Simsalabim"

"Simsalabim" is our 515g "Eggbeater" style combat robot.

Inspiration: The design is a fusion of the vertical kinetic energy of "Riptide" (BattleBots) and the compact geometry of "Hotline" (Antweight).

Chassis: We utilize a custom 3D-printed unibody made from PETG and TPU. The PETG provides a tough, ductile frame that resists shattering, while TPU components are used for shock absorption and wheel traction.

Drive System: 4-wheel drive with timing belts for maximum traction in the arena.

3. The Engineering Challenge (Why we need CNC)

In the 515g weight class, the weapon spins at over 10,000 RPM. We have successfully prototyped the chassis using PETG, but a 3D-printed weapon cannot survive the impact forces.

To make this robot competitive, the eggbeater weapon must be machined from 7075-T6 Aluminum. This material provides the necessary tensile strength to deliver knockout hits without shattering, which 3D printed plastic or standard aluminum cannot achieve.

5. Why We Need Your Support

As a student group, we have the engineering capability to design high-performance robots, but we lack the budget for industrial-grade manufacturing. The cost of CNC machining 7075 aluminum is the single biggest barrier to our success.

Without your help, we would be forced to run a 3D-printed weapon, which will likely fail in the first match. Your sponsorship would bridge the gap between our design and reality, allowing us to compete at the full potential of our engineering rather than being limited by our budget. We would be proud to carry the PCBWay flag into the arena.