Robo Challenge - Predator

[james...venom]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

Got a bar of 12mm silver steel. Truned both ends down to 8mm with a 11.5mm wide section in the middle at 12mm diameter. Then i put it in the milling machine and faced off 1.5mm off the 12mm diameter section on all four sides to give me a nice 9mm square with radius corners. I then used a 3mm cutter to mill out the squares in the gears.

[james...venom]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

Looking awesome James... Makes me want to get 360 back together.

Cheers dave! ye get it going although I wouldn't want to put them both in the arena together lol!

[Ellis]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

As everyone else has said; this is awe-inspiring. It's not fair that us chopping-board-wood-screw-drill-motor guys must fight machines like this!

[craig_colliass]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

ALL is fair in love and war.

[RogueTwoRobots]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

I last saw Predator at the 08 champs where it was the frame, dome head, arms and tail. I thought that was just a few bits and pieces done, but had no idea just how much work was involved making even those few bits! And also that none of it was machined via computer, but by hand, makes it all the more incredible

It'll be a great day when this debuts in the arena for the first time, but as has been mentioned, I don't think anyone will actually want to damage it!

[james...venom]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

Really appreciate all the kind comments guys thank you.

Yup Jamie, it's entirely hand machined. No CNC parts in Venom or Predator. We do have a CNC mill now but there is something nice about machining by hand.

[james...venom]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

Maybe that's the best form of defence! Make a machine nobody wants to break lol!

[Anttazz]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

Was at the Gadget Show last year too wasn't it? Remember seeing it with its fellow miniatures (think it was 360, minimoth and venom) on the podium. Does look like an awesome machine. Does the tail have a purpose or is it just to add some extra awesomeness?

[james...venom]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

Mainly for extra awesomeness lol. It's controlled by a 35kg servo so it does have a bit of power to help get itself free if other bots get stuck on it. All the joints are rubber mounted to it is designed to take impacts and keeps opponents away from the back of the machine which will house the rx and all the mechanism for the self righting arms. So it does serve a purpose however only a small one.

I do still have the original 0.6mm titanium tail which I was thinking of mounting to a base plate and attaching a servo to make it operational then selling.

[Anttazz]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

I do still have the original 0.6mm titanium tail which I was thinking of mounting to a base plate and attaching a servo to make it operational then selling.

That would be awesome, was messing about with that tail last year for a longer time than I spent in the arena, a good 10 or 15 seconds!

[sam_smith]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

Looking really impressive James!
I think you have inspired many roboteers with these great build pics.

Looking forward to seeing more build pics and Predator completed and running!

[james...venom]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

Thanks Sam really means alot, cheers. NST is looking savage! that is an awesome piece of engineering!

[team_orr]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

Looking very good, amazing you can get in all those details by hand! I dont think theres very much chance my weird plastic box spinning thing will give you any trouble, but if we end up in a fight, il go half throttle ;-)

[Gabe01]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

An inspiration, art in metal

[james...venom]

Re: The latest machine from Robo Challenge

Thank you very much for the kind comments guys.

Well just finished for the night. The past couple of days I've been looking for the main drive gear for the head but cant find it anywhere? So ive got some new gears and just finished the main gear now. Its a new gear ratio which means I can now use a scorpion brushless motor. Looking at the HK3226 so its not crazy but should be plenty for the disc. Besides I cant fit a bigger motor in! This means I now need to create a whole new aluminium head block which is a pain but will be worth it in the end.

This pic shows the standard gear and the cad drawing for the disc. I need to turn out the gear so it fits snuggly into the head.