I successfully got it to tension the springs and then release them, but wasn't ready for the force that it would unleash upon itself. It completely bent the 3mm baseplate out of shape:
I spent today adding extra support members and sorting out mechanical issues and I now have it firing reliably again and again. Next up, some locomotion.
Sun Apr 23, 2017 8:50 pm
chunkulator
Joined: 27 Jul 2016
Posts: 219
Tensioning and releasing is working smoothly now after adding more support members.
Drive transmission is pretty much ready: two large brushless low kV longboard motors controlled by TZ85As running SimonK through a 2:1 chain and sprocket drive to 1/2 inch axles. This weekend I have recruited Nick's help to turn some hub adapters which will allow me to mount 5 inch bunnings metal wheels on the axles:
I am expecting the drive system to be seriously overpowered and that this will be a very very zippy bot. I am expecting to do a first driving test this weekend.
Thu May 11, 2017 6:20 pm
Nick Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 11802
Location: Sydney, NSW
Its good to see such rapid progress! Looking forward to seeing a driving video. _________________ Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion
Thu May 11, 2017 7:22 pm
chunkulator
Joined: 27 Jul 2016
Posts: 219
Nick was good enough to turn some wheel hub adapters for me over the weekend. Here is are the parts of the wheel I'll be using. The turned adapter gets a roll pin through it which locks it to the axle. It gets welded into one half of the pressed steel hub. So far I have one side together on the robot and it's looking good (pics soon).
Mon May 15, 2017 8:47 am
chunkulator
Joined: 27 Jul 2016
Posts: 219
Got the other wheel on this evening. Here's what it looks like mounted on the bot:
I jerry-rigged some electronics to the frame for a quick driving test:
It works! It's very fast and a bit of a handful as expected, but it should be good enough I think.
Weight getting close? _________________ Steven Martin
Twisted Constructions
http://www.botbitz.com
Mon May 15, 2017 10:25 pm
chunkulator
Joined: 27 Jul 2016
Posts: 219
Probably yes. It was about 7kg without the drive. I forgot to weigh it today but will check it tomorrow.
Mon May 15, 2017 10:49 pm
chunkulator
Joined: 27 Jul 2016
Posts: 219
Weighs in at 12.5 kg with only the armour left to add. i guess I'm looking for armour that weighs 1kg or less. Probably 6mm HDPE is going to be the way to go. I have some 10mm HDPE, which is too heavy I think. But I also have some 6mm polycarbonate which might work out ok.
Tue May 16, 2017 9:33 pm
chunkulator
Joined: 27 Jul 2016
Posts: 219
Paintjob!
Thu May 25, 2017 9:18 pm
chunkulator
Joined: 27 Jul 2016
Posts: 219
I've been working hard on this bot this weekend to make sure it's in shape for Vivid. Yesterday I spent a bunch of time wiring up all the microswitches, getting all the electronics mounted and programming the Teensy 3.2 micro that is in charge of reloading:
Then today I added 5mm HDPE armour all round:
Once I got it all together and made a few tweaks to the microcontroller code I successfully have it auto-reloading. Here it is reloading on the bench with some shock cord in place of the springs for safety:
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 11802
Location: Sydney, NSW
Excellent work! Can't wait to see it in action with the springs. _________________ Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion
Sun May 28, 2017 8:50 pm
chunkulator
Joined: 27 Jul 2016
Posts: 219
I just finished the power distribution cabling, so it's now complete, electrically speaking. On a whim I tucked a couple of blue LED strips behind the HDPE panel on the flipping arm. I think the result is reasonably pretty.
Wed May 31, 2017 9:39 pm
Nick Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 11802
Location: Sydney, NSW
Very Vivid! _________________ Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion
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