Friday, 2 October 2015

How to make a Combat Robot

WARNING : This is just a short outline. You will have to refer to books/websites available in the market/internet for complete reference of making a combat robot.

You have to read.A lot. You cannot escape from that. Are you ready to do that? Then let's move ahead...

The entire process of competing in robotic combat events involves reading, researching, reading, asking pointed questions, reading and generally turning into a sponge of everything technical.                                                                                                     - Team Delta 

Books you should google right now if you haven't already...

  • Chris Hannold’s “Combat Robots Complete" and “Combat Robot Weapons,” 
  • Grant Imahara’s “Kickin’ Bot.”  

Checkout list of web links here : Websites-to-look-after-for-combat-robot
  
Now the Steps :

Choose a weapon :
  •         This is totally a personal decision. You choice is influenced by many factors. The first bot that inspired you to jump into this, quest of which brought you here :)
Amount of money you are willing to spend on your first project. Since this is a blog for beginners, start with simple designs.(again,only if you want to.)

  • Every design has it's pros and cons. Pros and Cons listed here on this weblink.
Choosing parts for the bot :

Before designing? you might ask. You will know why on your own

Here comes Researching the market for the parts you want and  the parts which are available.Check out and compare Weight and Size specs.

This involves reading catalogues of wide range of products of different companies. The list can be narrowed down if you have slighter idea of what exactly you wanna make.

Some quick go-through points 
  • Choose LiPo over NiMH. It saves weight.And it's costly.
  • Wheels - Your choice. Don't forget to choose bigger wheels if you want to make your bot invertible. Mind the clearance.
  • Transmitter/receiver -  For wireless bots. Go to HobbyKing.Suggest if there are other options.
  • Servos - Because No Speed Controller.Saves money plus weight.Give preference to torque over speed.
  • Weapon motor- Servo for flippers, DC geared motor for spinners.
Our bot had Nylon gear DC motor. It couldn't handle the stress and it broke after a match. Make it of some other strong material(metals).
Design using a modelling software :

        This takes the most of the time of the complete process. Ideally 50% of the time should be spent  here. You will know where your parts will go.

Cost Analysis : This is usually done at the end of  whole process, this is more helpful when you make the bot next time. Rough calculation helps predict the total cost.


BUY AND ASSEMBLE.

& Practice.

When you decide to go for more custom and complex designs

Fabrication : Ain't a part to worry.Right ? NO.
If you mess up this. You are doomed. This is gonna take me some time. Will do it later.

Getting started.

For starters, a 4 episode video series for a simple combat robot is here :

Episode 1




Episode 2


Episode 3


Episode 4 Part 1


Episode 4 Part 2


Episode 4 Part 3



In the end, the book I found very useful 

For more resources, click on this reddit link :) Battlebots



Read this books which I found to be extremely helpful :)

 Build your own combat Robot


Thursday, 24 September 2015

Competitions for Robowars in the year 2015

Robowars in the year 2015 in India

*.Technovanza,VJTI Mumbai
    Starts From             :     26 December, 2015
    Ends At                  :      28 December,2015
    Prize Money           :     Rs. 125,000                Holy-Moly(last year it was Rs.80,000) !!!
    Weight Class:         :     Middle Weight 60 Kg
    Website For Rules :      http://www.technovanza.org/robowars.php

*.TechFest IIT, Bombay
    Starts From             :   Dec 2015
    Ends At                   :   Dec 2015
    Prize Money           :    Rs.125,000                  Holy Moly again !!!
    Weight Class          :    Middle-weight 60 Kg
    Website For Rules  :    http://www.techfest.org/


Mail your College's competition details to python00078@gmail.com


    Buy Books From Amazons !!!

Saturday, 25 July 2015

Group battle

Royal Rumble...

Couldn't help but post this video here ...
It's good to post a video once in a while !!!!
This one is awesome...Enjoy...



Sunday, 17 May 2015

Critical speed of the shaft and how to control vibrations in your bot


Critical speed of the shaft of a rotating shaft is the speed at which the shaft starts vibrating violently in transverse direction.
At critical speed amplitude of vibrations will build up continuously and system may break into pieces.

This applies to bots with high speed system elements only. Obviously. And can be ignored. :)

In drum bots, material of  the shaft of the drum can be chosen wisely using this understanding.





                                     Cure to this disease is

(1) to provide damping at the ends of the shaft or

(2) to use properly aligned shaft in which the geometric centre, COG of shaft and bearing centre line are in line.

Here is the link of pdf file on how to calculate critical speed of the shaft.

                                                            Critical Speed of the shaft

On a side not...Read this

                  A Practical Review of Rotating Machinery Critical Speeds and Modes


Saturday, 11 April 2015

Websites to look after for a Combat Robot Enthusiast

 Some of the best Websites to look after for a Combat Robot Enthusiast


*An account of Counter Revolution bot can be found here in this personal website and   

other awesome works done by an enthusiast. Must Visit 

                                          http://www.meloneewise.com/

*This is a dedicated forum and please refrain from Asking a "Dumb Questions" there.

It is run by Mark Joerger(Undoubtedly the person who knows most about this sport).

There are hundreds of Questions answered beautifully. Link to his Website down here.

Definition of a Dumb Question : A question whose answer can be googled easily.

Robotcombat

*Delphiforums - Rules and regulations, Mechwars. It's a forum.

*  Team Delta - http://teamdelta.com/ Check out it's FAQ. It's more motivating and interesting than this blog.

*  Do visit this. Simple and awesome.

                                          https://www.dimensionengineering.com/appnotes/simple_robot/