4WD Front Hinge Flipper - Featherweight

[dotDominic]

Since I am trying to update this semi-regularly, here is a post for this month!

Been quite busy recently so proper building for the Super Actuator only began about 2 weeks ago. I have tweaked the cad a little, but it's slowly becoming a real thing:

IMG_4281.jpg IMG_4283.jpg

At this point I have cut everything I can with my tools, except some thin teflon which I will use to reduce friction between the rod and barrel. Next up is the tricky part - drilling the holes so the gears mesh properly and so that this will fit together. Then I will mail it down to a friend who has kindly offered to help with milling/lathing.

Still a bit cautious that this thing won't work and could break itself, but so far all is going to plan!

[dotDominic]

At a pretty decent point now for an update. All the plastic panels are cut except for the rear, as it needs to be heated and bent around the shape of the back of the robot. Nothing has been bolted together yet, and there are no electronics, but it's finally starting to look like a robot now!

IMG_4382[1].jpg IMG_4383[1].jpg

Next up is drilling holes in the Super Actuator - the plan is to have that finished by the end of the week.

[dotDominic]

Strix lives! Turns out I needed an extra few bits and pieces before finishing off the actuator, so while I was waiting on that to arrive I got the chassis up and running!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjlv84vHls8

Very happy with how it drives so far - pretty smooth and quick. Although its about 6kg lighter than its meant to be, so the real test will come later. Electronics are also bit messy at the moment as I just pinched them out of Venator. But so far so good - now I just need to learn how to control the thing!

On an unrelated note, I seem to have lost the ability to Like/Thank For posts, even though I'm still a member. Is anyone else having this problem?

[Maxamuslead]

looking great, how is the super actuator coming along ?

[dotDominic]

It's getting there! The main hold up was replacing my terrible old vice with a new one, and finding a drill bit of the right size to make the gearbox. But those are sorted out now, so the actuator is the next priority.

[R9000]

Looks amazing! Can't wait to see it flip!

[Ocracoke]

That does look like the business, well done!

[Shooty]

That's some fine looking progress you've made there! Your ground clearance seems very low though, are you worried about becoming beached at all?

[Maxamuslead]

That's some fine looking progress you've made there! Your ground clearance seems very low though, are you worried about becoming beached at all?

that is a good point but looking at the images he might have enough room to add some bike tyre to add some ground clearance if needed.

side note where did you get those tires you gave me at manchester ? want to know incase i need to order more

[Shooty]

side note where did you get those tires you gave me at manchester ? want to know incase i need to order more

https://www.robotshop.com/eu/en/4-st...ore-black.html

Here is where I bought them from. Just get a 3/8 tap and you can screw them on to the drill gearboxes. Be warned though, you need to be careful when tightening them on, and securing them in place with the reverse threaded bolt: too loose and the wheel will come lose and strip, too tight and the wheel will crack.

[Maxamuslead]

https://www.robotshop.com/eu/en/4-st...ore-black.html

Here is where I bought them from. Just get a 3/8 tap and you can screw them on to the drill gearboxes. Be warned though, you need to be careful when tightening them on, and securing them in place with the reverse threaded bolt: too loose and the wheel will come lose and strip, too tight and the wheel will crack.

sorry got you and Michael mixed up (SOMEHOW) but still good to know where you got them from

[dotDominic]

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

Yes ground clearance is a slight concern - it's meant to be about 4.5mm around the back and sides, now the wheels have worn in it's actually about 4mm. I could easily make it 5mm by mounting the motors a bit lower. Anyone know if that's enough for the robo challenge arena?

It was a bit difficult to gauge it for this build since Venator's ground clearance was a bit weird - again about 4 - 5 round the back, but almost a 1cm around the basplate and something in between for the sides.

Having said that, I doubt my ancient garden patio is particularly flat - probably not that different to the robo challenge arena. I'm not sure if I will run Strix at Extreme Robots events - was thinking of saving Venator for that.

[dotDominic]

With Strix's wedge attached, it's update time again, and I've had another test with Venator as target practice!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEbHmlQKXww

IMG_4438.jpg

Going into this test drive I was a bit worried about the steepness of the wedge as that could make or break a front hinge flipper. Thankfully the wedge works brilliantly and the angle is low enough that Venator slides right to the top when I'm at high throttle. Also Strix is still fast and nimble despite all the extra weight added since the last test. Clearly I still need some driving practice - also some video filming practice too!

I also took heed of your warnings and increased the ground clearance. Unfortunately I can't really add much extra tyre to the wheels due to a lack of space and the wedge already being cut. So instead I've made the baseplate 8mm HDPE thick rather than 10mm. So now I should be sitting around 6.5mm of clearance. 8mm is probably the thinnest HDPE base I can get away with I think it should hold up OK.

But now for a bit of bad news - the "Super Actuator" is unfortunately on hold for the time being. After countless failed attempts, I've had to accept that making this with a cheap pillar drill and hand tools will be very difficult. I just don't have access to the precision that I need. However, I'm glad I tried and I've not given up completely, but for the time being I'm going to fall back on modifying a stock linac with a brushless motor. If I have time before the champs I will definitely try the "Super Actuator" again, as I still want it ready for that.

[Ocracoke]

Neat, looking forwards to seeing this soon!

Might be worth adding some small hooks at the top of the flipper to prevent opponents from sliding over the top?

[Maxamuslead]

With Strix's wedge attached, it's update time again, and I've had another test with Venator as target practice!

Going into this test drive I was a bit worried about the steepness of the wedge as that could make or break a front hinge flipper. Thankfully the wedge works brilliantly and the angle is low enough that Venator slides right to the top when I'm at high throttle. Also Strix is still fast and nimble despite all the extra weight added since the last test. Clearly I still need some driving practice - also some video filming practice too!

I also took heed of your warnings and increased the ground clearance. Unfortunately I can't really add much extra tyre to the wheels due to a lack of space and the wedge already being cut. So instead I've made the baseplate 8mm HDPE thick rather than 10mm. So now I should be sitting around 6.5mm of clearance. 8mm is probably the thinnest HDPE base I can get away with I think it should hold up OK.

But now for a bit of bad news - the "Super Actuator" is unfortunately on hold for the time being. After countless failed attempts, I've had to accept that making this with a cheap pillar drill and hand tools will be very difficult. I just don't have access to the precision that I need. However, I'm glad I tried and I've not given up completely, but for the time being I'm going to fall back on modifying a stock linac with a brushless motor. If I have time before the champs I will definitely try the "Super Actuator" again, as I still want it ready for that.

ask about on Facebook see if anyone will help you manufacturer the precision parts.

Neat, looking forwards to seeing this soon!

Might be worth adding some small hooks at the top of the flipper to prevent opponents from sliding over the top?

hmm i would agree if it was a straight ramming wedge but with the flipper i wouldn't.