Homemade Combat Robot Version 2
by pdxisaiah in Circuits > Robots
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Homemade Combat Robot Version 2
So... This is my second version of my antweight combat robot! I'd like to introduce you to "Sidewinder."
For this project I used 3D printed parts (designed by me) and some electronic bits and pieces I bought for under $100. I used a CAD software called Tinkercad to design custom parts for the bot.
Supplies
For this project you will need:
Laptop running macOS, Linux, or Windows
3D printer
electronic parts (more details in instructions
Come Up With Idea
This step is the most important of all the steps!
Before you even start designing your bot, you must come up with a general idea of how the mechanism of the combat robot will work. In this case, Sidewinder is what's called a "ring spinner." A ring spinner has a separate ring that rotates around the outside of the chassis of the robot. The ring is usually powered by a gear system (seen in image.)
This is only one of many mechanisms you can use! There are shell spinners, hammer bots, and melty brains. (don't try melty brains unless you have a lot of programming experience and patience)
Designing
Patience, patience, patience... Thats what it's all about!
Depending on what type of bot you're making, this step will vary. If you are planning on entering your combat robot in a competition, you need to pay attention to how much your design will weigh. You will want to do some research on combat robot rules if you are wanting to enter your bot.
http://www.nerc.us/rules.html
Fabrication
For this step I used my 3D printer to create all of the parts. If you do not have a 3D printer, I would recommend using wood, bending plastic, or cutting scrap pieces of metal.
This step may take a little while if your whole bot is 3D printed. My bot took about twelve hours in all!
Make sure that your layer lines on the print are all even and don't have gaps or anything. Remember, this is a combat robot, not a shelf toy.
Fitting Your Electronics
For this step, you might need to spend a bit of money.
On Sidewinder I had to buy a brushless motor, two micro brushed motors, one brushless ESC, one brushed ESC, 3 channel receiver, LiPo battery, and a transmitter. In total I spent around $100 which isn't that bad for a combat robot!
Testing
Well, at this point you should have a working bot!
One of the most important things to do before you enter into a competition is testing. The video link above is of my earlier combat robot called Gearhead. (Gearhead is a shell spinner)
Have Fun!
Now you can enter your bot into a competition!
The link down below is where all of the competitions are organized.
STAY SAFE AND HAVE FUN!
https://www.robotcombatevents.com/