Deathly Hallows

I hope that's true!
The armour/chassis for EKW has taken a while to organise. Unfortunately I am away for work this week, so no chance to put it together even if the parts arrive. Promise to get it built at first opportunity.

I am also working hard preparing a design for a featherweight. Today I went to the 20th anniversary of RobotWars Scotland get meet up in Edinburgh. Got a lot of helpful info.
Everyone is so willing to share thoughts and experience. Which is really

Read More

There was a theme to my Christmas presents this year, you couldn't guess?

A bench drill and vice
A Dremel 3000
Even a robot themed notebook and pen
The wife even got me thermals so I am warmer in garage

I also got a Maplin and had an Argos voucher from my birthday
The Maplin voucher I spent a few pounds on more accessories for the Dremel
The Argos voucher I am putting towards a Dremel Versatip

All I need is some parts to arrive

Read More

I have been reading Ant threads recently.

There are too many choices. There are so many cool ants out there and they look cheap to make. They are definitely on my to do list. But I have to keep focused and finish a Beetle and a Feather as I originally planned.

I am ironing out the issues I had discovered in rendering the Beetle "Evil K'Weevil" in CAD. Initial design was over weight, with the original shape the surface area (so armour required) was too large,

Read More

I am really getting into the designing part of the sport.

Spent ages trawling websites like Robotshop, Dx.com, technohotsonline, eBay and Amazon. As I am working on a beetle weight is critical. I am also getting to grips with OnShape. I am able to model most simple things that a vendor has a drawing for. Motors, hubs, wheels etc. The built in mass calculator also shows just how much I save by narrowing a plate from 2mm to 1.5mm or drilling out holes. This is making the exercise

Read More

I came across OnShape and really like the tool based on my limited experience.

Here is the website

For an expert this is probably really easy, but I am rather new to this so it's taking me a while to really be able to do very much. What I like is the structured approach, powerful tools, 3D rendering, materials built in, and access to massive set of pre-built objects.

So far I have only managed to make HDPE planes with slots cut or holes countersunk. But

Read More