Why
build a battlebot? First thing is that a person would be crazy
to do
something like that. Personally, i had to do it. Its been
a lifelong desire.
Its easy to sit and fantasize ( be an armchair engineer )
about what an
effective machine looks like and what the capabilities of
such a machine
are. Fact remains that its not easy to do by any stretch of
the imagination.
I spent close to a year designing Torquey on the computer
at home. While i
was designing the bot i was sourcing the componentry and running
calculations for power and weight. The other aspect of construction
was if i
could manipulate the material and build the thing in my shop.
I avoided the
use of "exotic" materials primarily because i didnt
have the equipment.
Believe me, building a bot requires a fair amount of resources.
If all you
have are screwdrivers and a hammer, forget it! Building a
bot also requires
a deep working knowledge of fabrication process and metallurgy
as well as
statics and dynamics. Physics and geometry are critcal too.
There is no easy
weight class to build in. I was surprised how quickly material
weight added
up as well as power required to push 330 Lbs of robot around
the arena. This
goes for all bots. My advise is to build in the light to middle
weight
categories. The cost is an exponetial increase as you move
up weight
divisions. There are too many options of design to list here.
They do
however break down into these basic categories...
-spinners ( horizontal,vertical, and drum)
-hammers ( spike )
-wedge
-lifter
-flipper
-grabber
-pusher (ram bot )
With each of these categories, there are inherent design obstacles,
I.E.
advantages and disadvantages as seen in a match. As the lovely
and talented
Brian Harris stated.. " Rock, paper, and scissors! "
That is so true. One
approach would be to combine weapons and that works. The problem
is that
with every system that is added, there has to be controls
and power supplied
to that system. It also raises the complexity of the machine
and in doing so
also raises the likelyhood of failure. The key is to simpify
as much as
possible. That statement is easily said, not done! Its human
nature to
complicate things so in order to design a simple and effective
system will
take time and lots of research. The most daunting task of
all is to reach a
balance of trade-offs in a closed system.
I could go on and on about all the aspects of bot design.
However i will
not. Rather i will break the bot down into its primary systems
and list what
is needed to operate and maintain these systems.
-Drive train- There are a few basic types of drive trains.
They are...
-direct drive
-chain
-belt
each of these systems have two things in common. A motor and
some sort of
speed reduction. Motors cannot produce the needed power by
themselves. When
i say power i mean torque. Torque and RPM are directly related.
As one goes
up the other goes down. This is the law! This torque is achived
through
either a gearbox ( right angle, inline, or offset )or sprockets/pullies
(
just like a multi speed bicycle ). You cant run reduction
without a motor.
The common voltages are 12,18, and 24 volt DC ( DO NOT USE
STARTER
MOTORS!!). There will also be the need for locomotion. This
could be either
wheels or treads or if you are daring a walker.
Batteries are also needed. There are two common types, tin
lead ( suspended
electrolite, gel cells) and Nicads.
Second is the control system. This means a speed controller,
transmitter
and reciever. In this category servos and solenoids are also
used. The
latter are for weapon actuation typically.
Third are weapons. What ever you twisted brains can come up
with that are
allowed by the rules of the venue. They can be either passive
or direct.
Fourth is armor.
As you can see i have left much out in the way of details.
These are up to
you to research. I did all of my own machining, welding,
and fabrication. If
you dont have the means then you will have to have someone
else do these
operations for you. That is expensive. Building a bot takes
alot of patience
and diligence for it is at times confusing and very difficult.
Mistakes will
be made and lots of money spent. Money will be the limiting
factor in this
hobby. Remember that talk is worthless, doing is tough.
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