"The List" - Novice
- Adam Wrigley
Last updated - July 2006
DISCLAIMER: Combat robotics is a dangerous sport by it's nature. Extreme caution should be taken when performing any operation explained on this site. Any injury or death resulting from the use of these pages is the sole responsibility of the user and not totalinsanity.net. By undertaking the construction of a combat robot you assume all responsibility for your actions. When building a combat robot, always make sure you are, or are with, a responsible adult.
Build Responsibly.
Welcome to, "The List." This tutorial will serve as a comprehensive list of all the parts you'll need to put together a working combat robot. It serves as a helpful checklist when you're going through the design phases, to make sure you don't leave anything out of your cost/weight analysis. Some points may be repeated, but make sure to go over the entire list. For example, you don't want to forget about the 10 bolts in your weapon system that put you a 1lb over the limit.
For in depth tutorials on the actual design and construction of your robot, read our other tutorials. This tutorial is simply a reminder for after you've read through all the others.
Chassis Components:
Armor - Make sure you're covering your internal bits
Frame - Make sure the frame is sturdy.
Bolts - You're going to need to bolt something together. Whether it's mounting your motors or electronics, you'll be using bolts. Don't forget to account for these as they can be expensive and heavy.
Mounts - Everything in your robot needs to be mounted. The entire rest of the list (save the transmitter) needs a corresponding mount on your robots frame.
Drive Components:
Motors or Engines - Every robot needs to move. Are you using motors or an engine? If you're using an engine, don't forget about the gas tank and starter motor. The engine also must not leak while upside down. If you are using motors, make sure to check if the motor is grounded to the case, as this can cause shorting problems.
Gearing Systems - Did your motors come with a gearbox? If not, you'll need to design some sort of gearing system. Gears/sprockets &chain, shafts, keys & keyways, shaft collars, and pillow blocks are all needed to create a working gear system. Don't forget that all of these components have mass (especially chain!) and you'll need to add them in. Don't forget the classic gearing system mantra "set screws suck." If you have an engine, you'll probably need a clutch system as well.
Wheels - You'll need wheels to move around, and you'll also need hubs. Don't forget to think about how you're going to connect your wheels to your shafts/motors.
Skid Plates - Two wheeled robots generally need skid plates, delrin and UHMW make good materials for skid plates.
Electronics components:
Speed Controllers - How many motors do you have, and how many need to be individually actuated? Make sure to get enough speed controllers, and make sure they can handle the peak current your motors will be turning out. Check to see if you have properly mounted them (shock mounts are good) and note if you want braking to be activated or not. If you're using an engine, make sure you have a system to throttle it remotely (generally a servo) and that it has a failsafe. Starter motors for engines are also a good idea, and can be controlled with solenoid (make sure you have a switch to activate the solenoid, and that the switch will work with a radio system).
Batteries - You need to have batteries. Whether it's for your receiver, your drive motors, your weapon, or your weapon's relays/control systems, you'll always need batteries. You'll also need chargers so that you can charge your batteries. You may also need spare batteries. Make sure to take into account that you will have limited time to charge your batteries during events.
Wiring - How much wiring are you going to need? You need to wire together your batteries, to your motors, to your speed controllers, etc. Make sure you plan out all your wiring lengths and add in the weight. Wiring tends to add in a lot of the "ghost weight" that puts many robots over the weight limit.
Power Link - You need a way to turn your entire robot on and off easily. Look up your specific competition's rules to see what they require
Power Light - Many competitions require a light to indicate your robot is on. Most robots use LED's. Make sure you wire them correctly, and that they comply with your competitions rulebook.
Radio Components:
Transmitter - You'll need to control your robot.
Receiver - Your bot needs to know it's being controlled. This can be a major part of your weight in the insect classes.
Battery/Power Supply - Make sure you have a receiver battery or a battery elimination circuit to power your receiver.
PWM Cables - These are the cables that connect your receiver, to whatever it's controlling. Make sure you have cables that will reach all servos/switches/ESC's in your robot(and that you have enough of them). Also make sure you have the correct brand, as different brands of cables are not always compatible.
Signal Boosters - Some ESCs (most notably, Victors) require you to boost the signal output of your receiver or they won't work.
Mixers - Most transmitters have receivers built in mixers, but some builders like having separate mixers.
Gyros - Gyros help keep you going straight, these are optional.
Failsafe - Make sure your radio system has a proper failsafe. These are required in the rules.
Electric Weapon (optional):
Motor - You'll need a motor for your weapon. (and mounts)
ESC or Solenoid - You'll need to activate your weapon. If using a solenoid, make sure you have a separate electronic switch(that can be connected to your radio) to activate it.
The Weapon - You'll need to have gearing systems, mounts, and the actual weapon. Is it a hammer, a disc? Make sure to take into account all the bolts and chain used in your weapon, as these tend to be forgotten. Don't forget that you'll most likely need to get some parts of your weapon hardened.
Batteries - Weapons tend to use different batteries than drive motors. Don't forget wiring lengths needed to set it up, and mounting it. You'll also need chargers so that you can charge your batteries. You may also need spare batteries. Make sure to take into account that you will have limited time to charge your batteries during events.
Brakes - You may be able to get away with electronic regenerative braking using the motors, but you may need a mechanical brake. Make sure to take into account weapon spin down time in your design, as some events can be very stern about this topic.
Pneumatics (optional):
Tank - You'll need a power source for all the pneumatics in your robot. Also don't forget to check if the event you're going to has refills, or if you'll need to bring your own gas. Make sure your tanks ratings comply with the rules of the events you plan to attend
Buffer Tank - Buffer tanks allow better operation of your pneumatics system, though they are not always needed.
Piston/Pneumatic Motor: The pneumatics need to be powering something. Make sure that if you are using a piston, you have a way of retracting it.
Valves - You'll need a valve to turn on/off your weapon. Make sure you get the right type of valve for your system. Do you want a powered retract on your piston, or is it spring retracted? You'll also need an electronic switch to activate the valve.
Tubing - Make sure to take into account all the tubing you'll need to rig up your entire system.
Fittings - You'll probably need to connect your tubing with fittings.
Regulator - You'll need at least one regulator somewhere in your system, you won't be running it at the same PSI as the tank.
Filling Valve - This is an optional valve you can use to refill your tank without removing it from the robot.
One other tip is that you'll probably need a lot of spares. Spare bolts, motors, batteries, armor, weapon teeth, are all common, among other items. These won't factor into your weight, but will most definitely factor into your overall costs.
Hopefully this list will help you take into account all the necessary parts for building a robot. Taking into account all these factors should help you get your robot going on your first try, and make sure it's under weight and under budget.
© 2006 by T.i. Combat Robotics unless otherwise noted.
