Robotank
| Robotank | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Description | |
| A very large tank, meant to be used as a modular platform for future projects. | |
| Members | |
| Manager | Edward White, James Parkin |
| Members | |
This is a project in the making: If you are interested, contact Tom Clayson or Oskar Weigl, or even just write your name below.
Contents
People Involved
- Edward White
- James Parkin
- Tom Clayson
- Oskar Weigl
Concept
We are creating a large robot tank which can act as a platform for many future projects. The tank will be able to travel great distances and at great speed over land, and will also be water-tight: allowing it to be adapted into an amphibious craft. The tank will have surplus power, ample empty space within its structure and a flat top allowing it to be used for many new projects in the coming academic year.
Design goals are:
- Very robust!
- Ability to traverse almost any terrain, including stairs
- Watertight
- Adaptable to many different projects, such as:
- Adding a Kinect, to make it roam autonomously and avoid obstacles
- Portable Quadcopter recharging unit / Aircraft carrier
Concept Renders
Other concept ideas
Amphibious tube drive idea..
CAD Design
CAD Design halfway there!
Sub Assemblies
Adam has made a parametric drive-gear!
Isn't that mind-blowingly awesome!?
Mechanics
Track System
The track system will be based on 2 parrallel motorbike chains with metal bars half pvc tube segments screwed across them.
- We were considering using 4 of the following chains. They are 1770mm long.
- We will power the tracks using two of these drills
- Quick guess of required main drive shaft torque: 200-300 Ncm
- Dimensions of tracks are: between chains 34mm, chains are 15mm thick, pipes come out aprox. 6mm outside of chain.
Example of the type of tracks we would like to make
Screws go through the sprocket holes in the chain
Idler wheel tension adjustment piece
Disassemble them drills..
and obtain motor and gearbox!
Idler wheel shaft design
Drive shaft design
Drive shaft design
Idea for smoother rolling: see right sprocket pin
Chassis
The main body of the robot will be similar to a boat in structure and contain a lot of empty space for use in future projects.
This diagram is incoherent without live commentary
Dimensions
Dimensions with human comaprison
Tank Dimensions FINAL
Layout
Size
Main chassis complete
Budget / Parts List
| Name of Item | Price | Link | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain | 4x£11 | chains | Processed |
| PVC feet | 2*£3 | bought locally | Processed |
| Large Sheet | £32 | A large sheet | Half processed |
| Small Sheet | £8 | A smaller sheet | Obtained |
| Drills | 2x£10 | b&q drill | Processed |
| Polyester Webbing | £8 | webbing | Discarded |
| Aluminium Blocks | £18 | aluminium bar | Obtained |
| Bolts | £19.20 | 25mm M4 screws | Processed |
| Nuts | 6*£2.35 | 300 M4 nuts | Processed |
| Big Washers | 5*£2.65 | 300 M4 penny washers | Processed |
| Small Washers | £4.95 | 300 M4 washers | Processed |
| Silicon Sealant Gel | £4.15 | Silicon Mastic | Awaiting |
| Steel Rods | - | spare 8mm steel rods | Obtained |
| Threaded Steel Rods | £8.49 | M8 threaded rods | Awaiting |
| Angle Irons | £5.70 | aluminium 25mm*25mm*3mm 500mm long | Obtained |
| Bearings | £1 each | 8 x 24 x 8mm ball bearings | Awaiting |
| Microcontroller | complementary | Forebrain micro-controller | Obtained |
| Sensors | complementary | Seraphim expansion layer | Awaiting |
| Total | £216.26 |
Build Log
- Cut and drilled PVC pipe to make the tank feet. We may still need some more. 21:55, 17 May 2011 (UTC)
- CAD Drawing started 19:15, 18 May 2011 (UTC)
- Cut main base plate and one side panel. 28 May 2011 (UTC)
- 1st tank track assembled. 15:26, 1 June 2011 (UTC)
- Main base plate bent into shape. 22:26, 1 June 2011 (UTC)
- 2nd tank track done! 18:49, 3 June 2011 (UTC)
- Second side pannel cut 8 June 2011
- Drill cradles modeled and printed 20 June 2011
- Screwed in half of agngle irons, cut screw heads in half so they will fit into angle irons. 22 June 2011
- Assembled the tank body. 23 June 2011
- Mikhail has finished creating the main drive shaft and the adjustable idler wheel shaft as well as several axels. 20 July 2011
- Shiny new Forebrain micro-controller has just arrived from friends at Universal Air. Expansion layer with accelerometers, gyros etc should be here soon... 30 July 2011
- Expansion layer with sensors finally arrived. Sorry for the delay - I will bring it into college on 16 September 2011
Pictures!
Building a tank track.
One tank track done!
Main bottom peice before bending
Bending..
Bent!
2nd track done!
Progress as of 05-06-2011
Drill cradle
Progress as of 23-06-2011
Adjustable idler wheel shaft created by Mikhail
Main drive shaft created by Mikhail
Forebrain micro-controller, curtsey of Universal Air
