Flag Robotics' new [completely recycled] beetleweight!

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So I've been watching the beetleweights builds on the forum progress, and I've decided to join in with it all! Problem is, I've got practically no money to build a brand new machine, so instead I'm going to use all the leftover and scrap parts from HardWired and HardWired Evolution (which I just call I because it's easier).

I'm thinking of using drill motors for drive, since that's really all I've got bar these http://www.technobotsonline.com/model-motor-size-c.html which aren't really powerful enough even for antweights I don't think. Aside from that, I'm probably going to be using 3mm aluminium for a chassis, and some other armour on top of that if it doesn't end up being too heavy... Will probably get to work on this tomorrow, so I'll post some pictures up then.

Edit: Oh, and another thing I forgot to mention, I am looking around to see if I've got any lighter drive solutions since I'm debating going for a full-bodied spinner. We got some new pans and related cooking items in, and so the old ones are being recycled.

[daveimi]

Drill drives with wheels come in at about 400g each, they will probably be too heavy.

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Well, I'd have thought that but Gonzales pulled it off quite nicely, I'm sure I won't be able to make anything quite as well designed as that with my current tools, but I can probably make something usable out of it. Will almost definitely have to get good at driving it though, since I don't own a gyro and therefore can't use one in this build...

Even so, 800g isn't too bad, if I can keep everything else low weight - there'll not be too much in there.

[Ellis]

I used just the motors in Gonzales, no drill gearboxes. The motor pinion drives directly to the drill gearbox' ring gear which is inside the wheel: https://scontent-b-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/...40162718_o.jpg
https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/...86162640_o.jpg
https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/...58373736_o.jpg

To do this and have any major weight left over for a viable spinning weapon would be pretty close to impossible. 550 motors (drill motors) are wildly overpowered for beetles, 2 will send a feather to 12mph no problem, let alone a beetle. Gonzales is practically uncontrollable, with a top speed of 30mph!

A nice, decently powerful size motor and gearbox combo for relatively little is this kind: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-12V-DC...item4d02562621 (they're the standard and are nice, I have 4)

[Flag Captured]

Ahh, doesn't look too bad a system, aside from the speed of them... Is that on 3S? That was the kind of system I was planning to use, albeit with a slightly different (larger) pinion, though if it's 30mph without, I think I'd be better off leaving it as is! Would very much like the idea of 4WD but I think that's just that little bit too optimistic in a design like this...

I'm planning to get a set of those other motors too in the future, but I quite like the idea of making a scrap-bot to just take to events and drive without having to worry about too much, especially if (when) it gets ripped to shreds because it's made out of balsa wood and bits of dishwasher. Definitely got a 'serious' beetle on the drawing board, which I'm thinking is going to be a crusher. How I'll do that, I have no idea, but it's still in pre-design!

[Ellis]

It's on 3s, yeah. I wouldn't recommend a larger pinion or larger wheels, as it is the motors get very very hot. Also, Gonzales runs a Scorpion XL which has excellent control, magnets, and I have a gyro, which helps with containing the speed tremendously. Without these it is damn near impossible to control.

I don't want to put you off experimentation but, as a beetleweight drive system, this is fun, though incredibly impractical for anything other than a rambot. I made it because I felt a bit of "challenge accepted" after Shane said there is an active weapon rule for Bigconkers events, unless the pushbot in question is nuts. :P

Also, making the wheels and getting the motor pinion to align correctly with them was pretty difficult. I made a write up of making the wheels here to give you an idea of what went into those alone: http://www.teamexpat.co.uk/?p=112

By no means saying that is the only or simplest way, but without a lathe it's along the lines of what's involved.

[Flag Captured]

Hmm, I may attempt to gear it down somehow then without using too much weight up, or failing that I'll have a look round to try and find some other motors that'd be more suitable around the house... I've got some, but they've got plastic gears so they might not be ideal!

Does look pretty complicated, but I guess that's where the challenge is! Got plenty of spare material, so it's not too big a deal if I mess it up a bit the first few attempts...

[daveimi]

I just re-read my earlier post and it sounds really negative. I didn't mean it too sorry.

I just meant you should look at 25mm dia gearmotors at around 30:1 or 50:1 depending on what you need.

You can get a pair of these on ebay for a tenner, or if I haven't used mine in the next month or so you are welcome to them for free, I can't see me building a beetle as I can't get to the events down south.

[Flag Captured]

Don't worry, I didn't read it in that way!
Yeah, it's still something I'm looking into, want to make a proper competitive beetle eventually, perhaps two - one's just going to be a mini HardWired II as a practice build and then I'll do something completely new, like that crusher if I can get enough crush out of something and a solid enough chassis. Not going to be a huge budget though, if I can help it! Having a crusher of enough size to weight ratio to be usable, however, is a different matter... Would love to use hydraulics, but that's right up there in terms of realism with having it powered by small nuclear reactors.

Thanks too! I'd be more than happy to swap you some parts of equivalent value if you do want rid at all - got to be fair and all

[daveimi]

Yeah budget is what it's about in terms of raw materials. You're never gonna build a Titanium framed, Banebot's 775 driven hydraulic crusher without a grand or so to put behind it. If you're budget is only small like mine it's either build something drill powered or get creative lol.

[Flag Captured]

Definitely not! I have got a cheap solution planned, the motor/gearbox I'd use has a 463kg/cm max efficiency torque at 12v, and I'd then have that going to a 4:1 bevel gear setup, or it'd be geared up to some threaded rod and would become a sort of micro linear actuator. Apparently the whole system could be run at 24v which would provide a slightly worrying amount of torque, whether that would translate well to this application I don't know, nor if I'd be able to house it successfully, but I rather hope I could!

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Decided to revive this project a little whilst I build up the funding for HardWired II's upgrades.

After much consideration I'm going to use the old material from HardWired II's base and lid to make a new machine, a mini version of HWII. It's not original in the slightest, but I quite like the idea of having a tiny version of my existing robot, or should I say tinier version of my existing robot...

Whilst not 'completely' recycled, I'll probably end up buying a set of those 1000RPM ebay motors, or perhaps some faster ones for small wheels like I'll have. I'll play about with materials to make a grippy but durable set of wheels, if I can.

Photos as it happens! Going to get started on it soonish, hopefully!

[limpet]

I like those wheels with the gear rings in.

[Flag Captured]

Gonzales' wheels were pretty cool, and it's great as a single-stage and saving a bit of space too. It actually has given me a (ludicrously stupid) idea, but that'll probably need a little bit of work.
I think Skyfall had wheels as well with ring gears inside them, it's a neat idea, but seems a little more complex, getting it to work...

[mrsam]

I think a beetleweight version of HW with Gonzales type drive would be awesome, i wonder if you can get 1mm hardox just to complete the look, that would be cool. Skyfall i believe did have ring gears in the wheels but it was basically an entire gearbox inside the wheel giving a (i think) 7:1 reduction, great for space but according to Mario VERY heavy.