Team Kaizen - Kaizen

[Ocracoke]

The ones I have (which arrived today) don't have any bearings in them or any metal so that won't be an issue, just really a case of getting the bore enlarged and then these nuts fitted into place.

[Ocracoke]

Whilst I sort out the final wheels for Kaizen, I've been working getting the main structure done and have made some headway today, bolting down the motors more inboard so the gearboxes are less of a target and getting the central bulkhead panels in place. After doing that, did a quick wire up and test to make sure the motors were OK. Annoyingly, the test wheels, despite being padded out, don't quite reach the ground just yet but I can spend a bit of time tomorrow getting those to the ground so with any luck, tomorrow it should be moving.

A small "whoops", when the motors moved inboard and the bracket holes marked, I forgot the speed controller was quite big so it doesn't fit anywhere but the gap for the weapon. That shouldn't be too much of an issue though, a panel of HDPE over the top in the centre should fix that. The weapon motor is going to be mounted fairly high as a result but it does mean more swing on it.

Not sure what the weight is at the moment but with all the brackets to get the internal panels supported and all the roofing bolts holding them together, I suspect it is in the 20kg range. After the test drive, next thing to do is cut and mount the outer panels, secure the electronics and then mount the outer panelling. This should be achievable before RL Herne Bay or Grantham.

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[Ocracoke]

With working on the antweights, organising a AW event and The Honey Badger 3, Kaizen has been taking a bit of a back seat but with the nice weather, I've been busy with the outer edge panels this evening. Tried moving it on the test wheels and for one brief glorious nanosecond, it worked followed by the wheels twisting off. I've got some M10 nyloc nuts on order that should be with me a few days so the proper wheels can go on.

Outer panels are now made, had several scary moments with the holesaw binding up in the HDPE followed by it snatching away - not fun. However, got the shape cut out, mounted the panels and now it is beginning to look properly serious. Wheels and shell are the next thing and then boom, rolling Middleweight. Definitely seriously sized, clocking in at about 650mm wide by 250mm long by 250mm tall.

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Couple of little things at the moment, I am regretting having to build this upstairs, it is getting heavy (mid 20kg possibly, not weighted it since last post) I'll need to fit some bracing inbetween the panels to prevent the polycarbonate base from flexing, it is going to snap if it carries on like this :S

If the wheels can be attached by the end of this week and Kaizen rolling, I see no reason why it couldn't make RL Grantham.

[Theo]

Looking fantastic, I really can't wait to see it in the arena at Grantham

[Ocracoke]

Many thanks! I can't wait to see it running properly myself either

[Ocracoke]

I may have singed a fingertip in doing this but I've finally got wheels on Kaizen. Wherever they'll stay on is another matter but I'll take what I can get at the moment. Need some bike tyre to allow them to reach the ground miind.

Got the measurements ready for the outer shell so Grantham here we come

[Ocracoke]

I had the wheels on...

...and now I don't. I've ordered some M12 threaded plate and will do what I should have done in the first place and bolted the wheels to that and then threadlock the plate onto the motorshaft. However, despite this, it is running so next tasks are to:

• Get the shell and strengthing bars added in
• Affix the wheels properly
• Secure the electronics down
• Find a steel strip for the front panels

If I get all of that done, I might have it going by RL Grantham.

[Ocracoke]

I can now cross off that top item on that list. Its taken 20x steel roofing brackets, 5x M10 threaded bar (which need adjusting) and 76x M6 bolts(!!!) but the main bulk of the robot is now done.

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I need to get it on the scales but I think this now tops 30kg. Next job is adjusting the threaded bar holes and adding on the polycarbonate panels to the robot (along with the wheels of course).

[Deathly Hallows]

Looking good.

That's a lot of bolts. Think that may be where I gained an unplanned half kg in my build. At least in your case the only problem is a sore fore arm from tightening them all, and no weight worries.

Are you getting clear or coloured polycarbonate for the shell?

[Ocracoke]

That's a lot of bolts. Think that may be where I gained an unplanned half kg in my build. At least in your case the only problem is a sore fore arm from tightening them all, and no weight worries.

hahaha, thanks. The next time I see Magnetar, I'll count the number of exposed bolt heads that has, that is what Kaizen reminds me of. The bracket bolts are only finger tight at the moment as to to allow for the adjustment for the panels today or tomorrow.

Are you getting clear or coloured polycarbonate for the shell

Clear though I'll likely add some coloured lights to the inside for decoration.

[Al_]

Looking good.

That's a lot of bolts. Think that may be where I gained an unplanned half kg in my build. At least in your case the only problem is a sore fore arm from tightening them all, and no weight worries.

Are you getting clear or coloured polycarbonate for the shell?

Fixings can easily kill the estimated weight budget if you don't account for them, especially on a feather. On my last one I estimated 1kg for fixings and after adding it all up I was withing about 20% of that.

[Al_]

Great to see Kaizen coming together now, still on track for a debut at Grantham?

[Ocracoke]

Fixings can easily kill the estimated weight budget if you don't account for them, especially on a feather.

Indeed so but even with this being a Middle/Heavy, I need to weigh Kaizen now before carrying on. I took the chance to weigh the brackets and threaded bar before they were installed and it came to something like 6.6kg, so I can only infer that Kaizen is now in the mid 30's, which means it is within the MW category.

Great to see Kaizen coming together now, still on track for a debut at Grantham?

I want to say yes and so long as I can get these wheel hubs drilled and fitted (I've never drilled stainless steel before, any hints?), you should see the lumbering mass that is Kaizen make an appearance

[Maxamuslead]

Indeed so but even with this being a Middle/Heavy, I need to weigh Kaizen now before carrying on. I took the chance to weigh the brackets and threaded bar before they were installed and it came to something like 6.6kg, so I can only infer that Kaizen is now in the mid 30's, which means it is within the MW category.



I want to say yes and so long as I can get these wheel hubs drilled and fitted (I've never drilled stainless steel before, any hints?), you should see the lumbering mass that is Kaizen make an appearance

can't wait too see, but not to put a downer on your parade but it might be worth after weighing it contacting Robots Live! and double check if they are happy running a middleweight as if not else is bring one they might stick you in with the heavies and with you weighting Half a heavyweight they could throw you a too high.

[Ocracoke]

F7 went in with the heavies at Burgess Hill and I think after that, they'll not run a MW with a HW that has a high pressure flipper. I know what you mean though and I am prepared for that fact if it comes to it. Running at Grantham is a "nice to do" at this stage.