Aim
To build an an entire featherweight robot for less than $100 using new parts.
Background
So when I first started out I wanted to build a robot for as cheap as possible. I think it ended up costing me about $500 first time round and ~$1000 by the time I really got it finished.
First incantation was basically 3 drills, 2 for drive and 1 for a massive spinning weapon and had mostly air armour. The break down for the cost was:
$300 for radio
$50 for SLA battery
$20 for SLA charger
$60 drills
$20 on microswitches
$50 at least on misc
As improvements I bought an IBC ($300) and a proper charger ($200) and acquired some other batteries. Total was probably over $1000 by the time I got it done and this was probably in the space from when I was 14 - 16. (Ah remember ABBL and damn I have been doing this a long time)
Assumptions
Doing this for $100 is really still probably a bit unrealistic there is a certain level of equipment which is necessary to build/run a combat robot which you can not acquire for < $100.
So this assumes you have:
A digital radio
A battery charger
Can access an AVR programmer
(These probably can be acquired for an extra $100)
I will also be assuming that if you buy a quantity of something and only use 1/4 of it that the cost is 1/4 as you can use it for 3 other robots. I will also assume that shipping is free.
I am also assuming that you cannot get a hold of any second hand or used goods. Other than these special parts everything else will be included in cost.
So I am cheating a little but I think most people who have done any RC stuff should have most of this equipment on hand.
Plan
Doing this for <$100 would have been completely infeasible 1-2 years ago however with some recent reductions in price I think it should be possible.
So possible parts:
Drives - 2 x Drills
Lipoly Battery
Hacked ESCs
MDF construction
Mounts, wheels, ect.
Other bits and pieces
TODO
All parts will be documented and may lead to kit form.
Ideally simple construction and should be able to be translated to steel, polycarb with relative ease.
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 11802
Location: Sydney, NSW
That's half your budget gone on just the drive motors - I think its more realistic to make this a $150 bot, particularly if you are going to be detailed and include things like mounting hardware, wire, power switch etc. Still a good exercise to go through.
Yeh still aim high. _________________ Steven Martin
Twisted Constructions
http://www.botbitz.com
Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:09 pm
Jaemus Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 01 Apr 2009
Posts: 2674
Location: NSW
I think if you miss the $100 mark and it settles somewhere above that, it will still be worthwhile to see what that figure is, and since we are all fairly open minded people, rather than just going 'err, he didnt hit his target'. Watching with interest.
Did you end up doing the AVR tutorial yet?
EDIT: I think you should include a power switch and plugs for motors etc. Those things should be mandatory (not that ive ever done a power switch) and encouraged from day one _________________ <Patrician|Away> what does your robot do, sam
<bovril> it collects data about the surrounding environment, then discards it and drives into walls
Last edited by Jaemus on Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:15 pm; edited 1 time in total
Yeh it never got bumped as I just edited first post. I linked it on front page of Hacking thread. _________________ Steven Martin
Twisted Constructions
http://www.botbitz.com
Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:15 pm
Jaemus Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 01 Apr 2009
Posts: 2674
Location: NSW
awesome, ill check it out _________________ <Patrician|Away> what does your robot do, sam
<bovril> it collects data about the surrounding environment, then discards it and drives into walls
I was going to do wire link which you can pull out. I wish TiMeH would reply to my PMs and send me those battleswitches from like a month ago for my bots.
2xXU1/Kmart drills $50
2xRed wheels $3.30
2x TPY1-25A ESCs $10.50
3x XT60 $3.19 for 5 pairs
1m x 100mm Heatshrink $2.75
1m x 4mm heatshrink $0.35
4 x washers $0.09
$70 almost driving
MDF...
Bolts.... _________________ Steven Martin
Twisted Constructions
http://www.botbitz.com
Last edited by marto on Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:09 pm; edited 1 time in total
Wed Jun 01, 2011 3:33 pm
Knightrous Site Admin
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 8511
Location: NSW
1200x900x12mm MDF is $19.99 @ Mitre10.
Throw in a metre or two of 25x25x3 angle iron and a bag of tekscrews and you've got yourself a bot _________________ https://www.halfdonethings.com/
I was going bolts, I have a thing against tek screws. _________________ Steven Martin
Twisted Constructions
http://www.botbitz.com
Wed Jun 01, 2011 3:55 pm
Jaemus Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 01 Apr 2009
Posts: 2674
Location: NSW
Im pretty sure red wheels were $3.20 last time i looked _________________ <Patrician|Away> what does your robot do, sam
<bovril> it collects data about the surrounding environment, then discards it and drives into walls
Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:07 pm
Jaemus Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 01 Apr 2009
Posts: 2674
Location: NSW
what's the 100mm heatshrink for?
dont forget the grub screws to lock the drill clutches, and washers for the wheels _________________ <Patrician|Away> what does your robot do, sam
<bovril> it collects data about the surrounding environment, then discards it and drives into walls
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum