Splinter

[Dan-27]

Here's some pictures of the latest bot I've been working on. I decided build it from wood for a change partly because I had a week in which to get it finished and I really like the idea of a wooden robot class to make this hobby more accessible to those without access to lathes and mills.

This was an initial layout idea using gears from a bike for drive.

[attachment=1:1cec9gfi]2013-01-10 22.44.25.jpg[/attachment:1cec9gfi]

For a while PJ and I have been toying with the idea of using fan motors for drive and being made from wood there was some weight going spare for these monster motors.

[attachment=2:1cec9gfi]2013-01-10 22.36.41.jpg[/attachment:1cec9gfi]

I used a laser cutter to draw the wheel profiles. Were using gears from a lawnmower for drive which dictated the size of the wheels, they're about 110mm + some bike thread.

[attachment=0:1cec9gfi]2013-02-26 15.57.49.jpg[/attachment:1cec9gfi]

[Dan-27]

Re: Splinter

It was going to be too large having the motors driving the wheels with chain so I've gone for a simpler option.

[attachment=2:357kq6rn]2013-02-28 17.26.27.jpg[/attachment:357kq6rn]

Here's the finished wheels. They've got a small nylon bush so the ply isn't running on the steel wheel bracket.

[attachment=1:357kq6rn]2013-03-01 16.05.43.jpg[/attachment:357kq6rn]

Here it is almost complete. It's weighing in at 10.6kg so a few kg's going spare for a polycarb lid and it'll be done.

[attachment=0:357kq6rn]2013-03-12 12.25.07.jpg[/attachment:357kq6rn]

Now I just need to wire it with something that can handle all those amps! It's going to be using TZ85a's on a 3s lipo, the stall current for EV warriors is near 100A though so we might have some white smoke, we'll see.

Also Splinter's going to be fighting in place of Bitza Mk III in this years UK champs as it doesn't look like we'll get MkIII together in time.

[Eventorizon]

Re: Splinter

Loving the nice wood, and the Laser engraved name. Shame its going to get all bashed up :-(

[Ellis]

Re: Splinter

I actually really like the way this looks! What's the gear ratio?

[Dan-27]

Re: Splinter

Thanks. That's one of the benefits of working in wood, you can take any old scrap and make it look good!

The gear ratio is 3.8:1

This calculator reckons it'll do 8 - 10 mph but I'm hoping for more It'll certainly have the torque!

http://architeuthis-dux.org/torquecalc.asp

[Merkabah_PT]

Re: Splinter

I like the idea of a wood class, but with spinners being not allowed for the obvious reasons.

Will you take Spliter to the champs? To face nasty spinners? Well, film the fights.

[Eventorizon]

Re: Splinter

A wooden class has been discussed at some length but no one could seem to agree on how much wood, what types and how thick, how to prevent massive fireballs, if internal metal boxes for electronics were allowed etc... but I still really like the idea.

[joey_picus]

Re: Splinter

Looks very very nicely made, especially the wheels, but I'm trying hard and failing to not say anything about the name...

[leorcc]

Re: Splinter

Its fine, as the last owner of Splinter I have no problem with the name. If it had been a heavyweight that would have been a different matter.

[joey_picus]

Re: Splinter

Aaah, right, was more checking for awareness than anything else so sorry to be a bother. Just don't fight 360 with it because that would be too weird and possibly doomed to failure by history XD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kikpo2l1dY0

[leorcc]

Re: Splinter

It was just a fleshwound.

[PJ-27]

Re: Splinter

You've got no bloody arms! Or axe.....

[Bodge Job]

Re: Splinter

ouch!

[Dan-27]

Re: Splinter

I honestly didn't know about the original Splinter until the build was well under way. Thanks for giving it the thumbs up though, not sure what I'd have done with the etched front end had it been a problem.

Should I end up in a fight with 360 the name splinter might be fairly apt, I doubt there'd be much more than a splinter left!

[RogueTwoRobots]

Re: Splinter

History tells us that wooden robots tend to survive surprisingly well against spinners. Block of Wood and Surprize are two of the best examples. Everyone crams round the arena expecting to see sawdust, splinters and shredded components but it very rarely happens. As long as the construction is robust (which it looks like) you'll probably be fine.