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).

• Material - Click on  Materials

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 (How to)

•  Combat Robots Complete: Everything You Need to Build, Compete and Win (TAB Electronics 

•     Technical Library)Combat Robot Weapons

BUY - Kindle - 6" Glare-Free Touchscreen Display, Wi-Fi (Black)

Best Combots Of India

                                                     Best Combots Of India

This is the common question that pops into everyone 's mind.(It's obvious!!!)

So here I will try to list out some of the best bots made till date In India... there is a possibility that I miss some of the bots...Please bring it into my attention by providing the description and pics of the bot in the comments below.

 I will update the blog ... :) 

I will not be ranking them as I don't have any rights to do so :P

So here we go...

• R.I.P. - Rust In Peace     

This bot is an absolute beauty <3. .
1. Weaponry -            Double Tooth Drum
2. Motors -                 AmpFlow E30-400
3. Power Supply -      Lithium-Polymer On-Board batteries
4. Transmission -       Gearbox
5. Speed Controller - Sabertooth  2 x 60
6. Wireless -              Yes
7. Weight -
8. Makers -  Pushkin Sonkusare, Rohit Patel, Chaitanya Rokade(Comment if you know all the names)
9. Wins/Loses -
                              42/1..This is freakin awesome because it has registered 42 straight wins and lost                              it's final match against Shivaji Raje(finally :P) that took place in RahulRaj                                             mall.Surat.
10. Materials -  
                             2013 version used H9 Grade Aluminium and the 2014 version used
                            Aluminium 6061-T6. (Please read the material properties by following the links ) 
11. Wheels -        Colson wheels
12.Build Report Link -  RIP build report
This bot has witnessed the transition from wired bots to wireless and has been inspiration to many beginners in India.

H9 grade Aluminium

H9 grade aluminium

• Shivaji Raje 

1.Weaponry -                    Single Tooth Drum
2. Motors -                       AmpFlow motors
3. Power Supply -             Lithium-Polymer On-Board batteries
4. Transmission -              Gear Box used
5. Speed Controller
6. Wireless and wired depending on the events
7. Weight -
8. Makers-                          Shreyas Dhone and college team of 30
9. Wins/Loses -                  Unknown
10. Materials -                   Titanium Plate as an armor
11. Wheels -                      Colson wheels

  This is the only bot which managed to defeat R.I.P. once in a match that was held in Surat.

• Dr. Golu

• 1.Weaponry - Double Teeth Drum
  2. Motors -
  3. Power Supply-
  4. Transmission - Chain
  5. Speed Controller
  6. Wireless and wired depending on the events
  7. Weight -
  8. Makers-
  9. Wins/Loses - Unknown

• Joker

1. Type -                              WEDGE

2. Weaponry -                      Single Tooth DISC(optional)(removable)

3. Motors -                           UNI polar 18v geared motors

4. Weapon motor                 24 volts nissan gtx steering motor 12000rpm
5. Power Supply -                Lead acid, LiPo()
6. Transmission -                 Internal Gear Box within motor
7. Speed Controller-            NO
8. Wireless/wired -              depending on the events
9. Weight -                          12/35/55 kgs
10. Makers-                         B.B Hemanth Kumar ,D.Praveen  G.Trinadh
11. Wins/Loses -                

 4 wins/(SRM UNIV ,Satyabhama University, Kakatiysa University Warangal,Meenakshi college) 

 2 losses(AMS chennai,BANNARI AMMAN erode)
10. Materials -                   Steel Plate as an armor ,en42 metal for Weapon
11. Wheels -                      MS iron wheels with hard Grip with wheel guards for (55kg)

12 Transmission type (weapon)   timing belt.

More to follow..
Send in your bot description to python00078@gmail.com. ;)
LiPo batteries link(Click on the image) -