Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

[TeamPsyclone]

Well, I've managed to come full circle, and get back into the Robotic Community. It's been quite a while since I last competed, with the lack of funds to get anywhere, really. So, the old, big feather chassis I bought off eBay will soon be put to use.
Well, as soon as I have the parts, money, space, and a non-broken father to help me. Basically, he fell on some ice, and smashed his collar bone. Not pleasant.

[Mega Masher]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

Hope your Dad gets better soon. Do have any pictures of the robot so far?

[TeamPsyclone]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

I don't have any on me at the moment. Considering it's literally still as it was bought (I've been focusing on PCs lately) So I'll see if I can dig up the old thread, which has the original pics.

EDIT: Here's the two 'Working' Robots, in their preserved state: http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/TheDe ... ry/?page=1

And here's the newest one, as seen in the eBay photo:
http://i.imgur.com/fu399vU.jpg

I'd love to get some armor on it, but money is quite a problem, so it's going to be saving quite a bit of pocket money

[Mega Masher]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

What sort of wepon are you planning to use, if at all?

[TeamPsyclone]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

Probably keep the idea of a motorized lifter, but maybe invest into a Linear Actuator. I do, under any circumstance, attempt to attack a Behemoth-Style scoop to the front of it. Either that, or re-shape the body so that the entire top plate would be on an angle, or the flipper itself. It utilizes the full bar that way. I will be rid of that rusty end, or make a new bar if necessary.

As probably guessed, I will have to make it smaller, with it seemingly being overly large, so the second, motor flipper/lifter will come into play.

[TeamPsyclone]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

So, I've had some good news. The back porch will have a load of rubbish removed, and the extra walls taken down, so later in this year, I'll have a dedicated building space. A bit better than my bedroom carpet, I must say. It should be started when the snow and cold clears up. (If at all)

[TeamPsyclone]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

Apologies to triple post, but as there's not been any recent post, I thought I may as well show basically what I want to do with the robot.


The black lines are already what's there, the red lines are how I'd like to shape the shell, and the blue is the motor of the lifter/flipper, may be changed to a Linear Actuator.

[TeamPsyclone]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Sketchup Edition!)

After a long night, and a painstakingly long morning, I've finished the 3D models of the robot, and taken a couple of screenshots of the idea above, in fleshed out glory. I will upload the model of the other one, pictures or the actual Google Sketchup file itself, if anyone wants me to. There's been planned out space for electronics on paper, but I'm too tired at the moment to attempt to put models of motors, linear actuators and such in.

Hopefully, I'll soon enough be able to actually start the build, but I'm still saving and waiting for a workplace. Bloody weather

Edit: I forgot to put the photobucket link in :/
Anyway, here it is: http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/TheDe ... %20Feather

[Liftoff]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

Good work, the design looks simple,neat and effective - there's one thing I'd like to point out tho, depending where you concentrate the weight ( and being a wedge most probably the weight will be at the back) you might end up with a tail heavy machine.

As for motors and similar parts to put in the design, have a look at the sketch up 3D warehouse, there are lots of things you can download.

[TeamPsyclone]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

I see your point. I'll have a quick mess around with the shape, maybe make it angle a slight bit in the middle, giving enough force to roll over, if on it's back. If it does end up going flat backed, I'll probably just put a few spike-type things on the back, and sides. It is intended to be a lifter, not sure if I want to go front or rear hinge. All I know at the moment is that cutting the original robot to these specs is going to be a pain.

[TeamPsyclone]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Return of Sketchup edition)

A few hours remaking the model, having Google Sketchup be awkward and annoying, and having my three year old niece round, it has taken quite a bit of time, but it's finally done, I've taken three new screenshots of the new design, and I've got some specs of the original machine (No measurements unfortunately, they're written down somewhere). Just to say, looking back at the original model, the new one looks much much more polished than it will be, but it's to give an idea on what to expect, and such. Anyway, here's the new album: http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/TheDe ... %20Feather
In the photos, the white boxes are in place of the actual speed controller that I'll probably end up using, as there's none of that specific size in the database. They're cheap, 15 quid a piece, but I'll be happy if they work. I don't want to fully invest into a ESC without trying cheaper alternatives first. Blue things are the batteries, I want to wire two 7.2v 4000 mAh batteries in series, to double the voltage.

And, some things about the original machine:
2mm aluminium (Unknown properties) Around all the sides, mounted to 20mmx20mm aluminium (I think) bars, surrounding the top and the bottom of the machine. Uses Ford Fiesta (Old style) Wiper motors for the drive and lifter.
That's all I can really gather, atm.

[TeamPsyclone]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

Just to ask, as I've not had the best of luck with receivers: Could anyone recommend a reliable, cheap, at least 3 Channeled Tx and Rx? The few I've had so far (A Radiolink T4EU, didn't work much; A HobbyKing HK-GT2, didn't work at all, and a Planet T5, Worked the best, still didn't work.) If you were at Leeds last year, and saw my little invertable robot bumble around the arena, it was incredibly awkward to control. Upper right was forward most of the time, bottom left was spin on the spot. Almost impossible to figure out, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't the robot itself. Either way, due to losing parts and breakages, I am now looking for a new Receiver for a new bot.

[TeamPsyclone]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

I feel really bad for quad posting, but I have another quick question to ask:

Where's the cheapest place to get Dx5e Transmitters? P&P included?

I've gathered that it's a very popular tx, and with the amount of people using it, and the sheer reliability, I'd take one and go for it. I also have an Orange DSM2 Rx from Hobbyking for some reason, which I believe fail safes on all channels. Should I get an official Spektrum one instead, or keep that one? It does work, I had a quick test to see if it switched on, via my old ant's Lipo.

[TeamPsyclone]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

Wow. Five posts in a row, but this one is kinda important. Probably.
Anyway, I've compiled a quick list of parts for the robot, I'd just like some advice on a couple things, which I'll say at the end of this post. Nevertheless, here's the parts list:

3x http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Voltage- ... 20cffabd44

-I think these should suffice, and I will upgrade in the future, but I'm not sure if I want to invest in something like that now.

1x Gimson GLA-S 18v 150mm though I may end up with a 50mm one, placed further forward, for a faster lift, and potential short throw.
2x GR02 Gear motor
2x Robochallenge 75mm Blue wheels

Parts of the original armor will be used, but I'm not sure as to what I want for the lifter blade, as I need something that won't buckle under stress.

Should I invest with better escs, then? I'm sure they will suffice for a little while, but I just want to know.
Should I make it a bit longer, and add an extra pair of wheels and motors? And would it be a good idea to go with two 50mm Actuators?

[blazerbotics]

Re: Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

3x http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Voltage- ... 20cffabd44

-I think these should suffice, and I will upgrade in the future, but I'm not sure if I want to invest in something like that now.

Don't bother, anything with RC Boat/Car etc listed on them won't be any good. 320 amps through a Tamyia connector, really? Get a Scorpion controller, just use a double ended weapon switch for the weapon, you don't need speed control.