Beetleweight "walker" - build diary

[dotDominic]

Hi all,

It's been a while since my last post on the forums so before I start, a quick update with Strix 2 and some context for this build. Due to my upcoming exams, I've decided to postpone my robot building until after May, which means I only have 3 months to get Strix 2 ready for the Featherweight Champs this year. I'm really happy with my design and I want to do it justice by building it to the highest standard I can, which just won't happen in that time frame. So I'm aiming to have it ready for the 2020 champs.

I think this is the perfect opportunity to have a crack at my first beetlewight, as I'm confident I can build one in 3 months.

Inspired by classic walkers like Gammatron, I've decided to have a shot at a "walker" of my own!
Note the quotation marks, because as far as BBB rules are concerned, this is a shuffler. So it'll be allowed 50% weight increase to give a max possible weight of 2.25kg.

CAD Render Version 1 (Front Angled).jpg CAD Render Version 1 (Front).jpg CAD Render Version 1 (Rear Angled).jpg

My CAD is still in pretty early stages - I will continue to change it until my exams are done, after which I will build. For now though this is the sort of look I'm going for.

I've had a prototype of this walking mechanism as a fully operational LEGO robot for a while. Conveniently it is almost the exact scale as UK beetleweights. So with a few changes I'm confident that this machine will really walk if I can make the parts properly.

*Inspired by Jason of JKBrickworks, because I am absolutely not smart enough to come up with this on my own!-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZa-IWwk36s

Here is footage of my prototype which I filmed a few years ago. This was pretty much as fast as I could make it without the mechanism being too weak or unstable. So I'm going to aim to achieve this speed with my beetleweight.



Since I have a bunch still kicking around, I'm thinking of using an old style 12v argos drill motor on 3s to power the hammer. I'm going to need something with plenty of juice to self-right this thing. With a robot like this I think I need an entertaining weapon if the machine itself is going to be so slow.
I'm also going to put this wide plough on front - I need something to keep spinners away, as any decent horizontal spinner will easily mangle the legs. Nonetheless I will absolutely be making lots of spare legs and linkages.

So yes, I am starting this build with full knowledge that it will likely never win a fight. I just fancy trying to make something that is a bit unusual! (And hopefully works!)