"Flip-it” new build/project

All things antweight

Moderators: BeligerAnt, petec, administrator

Post Reply
Paulmchurd
Posts: 227
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2017 4:39 pm

"Flip-it” new build/project

Post by Paulmchurd »

Hello,

Thought I'd share my trials and errors. I was asked by the school I work at to start a electronics/robotics club. My first thought was robot wars. This led me down the rabbit hole of seeing what would be possible with a very limited budget of how I could bring robot wars into the school.

I decided apon antweights. I can build them a base chassis with the parts soldered together and their task would be to build the armour and add a weapon to the robot.

I first tried just using continuous servo, battery and Tx/RX. Cheapest option. Can buy all the parts from hobbyking for £35 a robot. However the "servo creep" after a few minutes of use made the robot very frustrating to drive. Constantly having to trim on the Tx.

Next I moved onto the dasmikro build. (Couldn't get hold of a nanotwo kit) with all the needed parts it has come in at roughly £50. Meaning less teams with my budget of £300. This seemed more reliable.(except the first vendor sending me two differnt rpm gear motors 🙈)

My 3rd option that I will be trying is using...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10A-Bustophe ... 2749.l2649

Joining the power cables together to share 1 battery and using a TX that has a built in mixer. These are slightly cheaper and are from U.K. Based vendors and presoldered. This doesn't bring the price down by much but I believe they have a brake built into them.

After tinkering around with these bits I started to really enjoy myself and though why not actually build myself a robot I can take to an event and battle.

Here are some pictures of what I have created so far. Hopeful the kids will be able to build something similar but probably slightly larger.

https://imgur.com/a/3gHpE

My cardboard prototype before I use 1.5mm poly plastic.

Thanks for reading
Paul
Last edited by Paulmchurd on Mon Jan 22, 2018 10:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Paulmchurd
Posts: 227
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2017 4:39 pm

Re: "Unnamed" new build/project

Post by Paulmchurd »

Prototype 1 finish.

It can flip and self right. (I'll see if I can record it.)

Build: 108grams

Cardboard armour
2 x 600rpm micro gear motors.
Sg90 servo for flipper.
Dasmikro ESC
6v ni-mh battery
Turnigy-i4x transmitter and receiver.

Total Cost £54. I think I could easy get it below £50 if I can avoid postage charges.

https://imgur.com/a/dYHyP

Next step rebuild with polycarbonate and name it.

Any ideas for a name??
User avatar
Phil_8
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2018 10:45 am
Location: Hemel Hempstead

Re: "Unnamed" new build/project

Post by Phil_8 »

Nice!

With a name, I think something referencing either your school or the fact youre a teacher
Paulmchurd
Posts: 227
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2017 4:39 pm

Re: "Unnamed" new build/project

Post by Paulmchurd »

Haha, SirTeachALot was my first thought after thinking about sir kill a lot from Robot wars.
Paulmchurd
Posts: 227
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2017 4:39 pm

Re: "Unnamed" new build/project

Post by Paulmchurd »

Has anyone tried these?

https://www.arc-robotics.org.uk/product ... ontroller/

Price a little steep for a budget robot.
Paulmchurd
Posts: 227
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2017 4:39 pm

Re: "Unnamed" new build/project

Post by Paulmchurd »

Polycarbonate shell cut out.

Picked up a bargain on tin snips from screwfix. £2.99 for all 3 types of snips.

https://imgur.com/a/nbYQ4

Next stage draw the template for flipping plate and cut out.

Going to use a vice at work tomorrow to bend it all into shape.

Just waiting on my nuts, bolts and 3mm drill bit to arrive so I can fix it all together.
Paulmchurd
Posts: 227
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2017 4:39 pm

Re: "Unnamed" new build/project

Post by Paulmchurd »

Bending proving difficult. Had some stress cracks. Next time I think I'll bolt panels together.

Going to have to bolt back panel to side panels to keep it in place.

https://imgur.com/a/Wps1h
Paulmchurd
Posts: 227
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2017 4:39 pm

Re: "Unnamed" new build/project

Post by Paulmchurd »

Flipper panel made.


https://imgur.com/a/f6rW3


Still can’t work out how to embed pictures onto forums...
Graven
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2018 5:41 pm

Re: "Unnamed" new build/project

Post by Graven »

Hey Paul,

I've been following your build, and seeing you start from scratch and have to work stuff out is part of what tipped me to actually going for it myself. I've now ordered all the parts I think I'll need - including some of the same as you (DasMikro etc) so am looking forward to it all arriving and may have some questions for you when it does :D
Paulmchurd
Posts: 227
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2017 4:39 pm

Re: "Unnamed" new build/project

Post by Paulmchurd »

Hey Graven, thanks for reading. I’ll help out any way I can.

I was very tempted to buy one the shiny 3D printed robots people sell but I decided to build from scratch. It’s been great fun.

Robot update:

When bending the rear panel.it was stress cracking the base plate and not staying in position.so I chopped it off and fitted a panel by bolting it on.

I have now completed the shell, I designed the flipper panel to get stuck/not get passed/bounce back off the back panel. I will still add a fail safe of elastic to make sure it does close if testing shows it gets stuck.

At the moment the robot will get stuck on its side so I will need to add curved edges on the sides.

Next step to start adding in the components and securing them onto the shell. Hopefully it will be under weight.


Pictures:

https://imgur.com/a/LLJBP
Post Reply