Team DD robots!

Hi there!

Short story of myself (TLDNR at bottom);

Ive been around this forum since 2004, now and then. Were in the old forum aswell until everyone moved here after the original robot wars ended.
I'm a swedish roboteer and since my interest for this hobby has spiked again (got many hobbies i rotate) I'm back for more.

Luckily I've gathered a decent pile of parts and its ever growing.
Nothing makes me more tempted to build than reading build diaries and pics of progress of other people's robots and I've seen a fair few mention the same thing lately so here's my contribution!


So after seeing tons of robot wars when younger and being the way I am I've always aimed to make really good robots even tho being my first ones. So after about 4-5 total rebuilds i finished my Antweight flipper named Bounce (unless its taken ofc).

And it currently looks like this:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...hts/Bounce.jpg
Its made a while back but the specs are as follows:
General construction: 0.75mm macrolon (could be 0,5 or 1mm, cant remember)
Drive: 2 polulo HP motors
Esc: 2 botbitz EScheap 10amp
Flipper servo: HPX Park BB (something like that)
Battery: Gravity 250mAh 7,4v Lipo
Notes: 6V voltage regulator after the schematics someone on robotwars101 posted i believe

My other Ant is an attempt on a invertible tracked pushing robot, no name yet and I've only made the basics:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...%20tracked.jpg

Same general macrolon + 5mm hdpe
Drive: Cheap chinese 50:1 motors
Scoop / wedge: 1mm titanium
Esc: Got 2 old botbitz EScheap 6amp but not sure yet, might go into my first Beetle

I did make an early version of a FW many many years ago but it's not alive anymore so I'm building a new and Improved one, sort of.
Learning from my mistake with the Ant to try and make a championship robot, this one might not even be a competitive robot at all! I will first and foremost use this as an starting platform to test weapons / learn to drive / break parts and replace / shovel snow? yeah you get where im going with this.

Anyways its going to be a 4wd one from cheap drills, we havn't got Argos here but the equivalent.
Not sure my 2x25A sabertooth will hold up for 4wd, and i do want to order a couple of the TZ85's but they're out of stock atm. Anyways heres the pic:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...W%20layout.jpg

And seeing as Beetles seem to ahve become really popular of course I'm starting one aswell!
I was smart enough to buy 2 of the 1000rpm 12v motors a few years back and some other stuff:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...W%20basics.jpg

And today my candy from hobbyking arrived aswell! :D
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...HK%20candy.jpg

TLDNR: I've been here since way back, starting a few projects and making a new build diary to crit you with wall of texts like this ;)

Which speed controllers are you using for the beetle?

It will be either the botbitz 6amp ones or if i can get hold of new 6-10 amps once they're in stock again. But probably the currennt 6a ones as i will built the beetle before the tracked ant. Might use my sabretooth 2x10 for a 4wd beetle as a starting platform aswell seeing as the other beetle will be a spinner

Oh ok that's cool, been looking into a new speedo so wondered what people were using.

What awg wire would you guys recommend for the beetle 1000rpm motors?

I used 22awg in mine and it's held up ok but saw people with 14awg ish at the weekend.

Just use roughly the same sized wire that's already on the ESC.

Good points guys, cheers

What belts and pulley would you guys recommend for a beetle spinner setup? 4mm shaft on the motor, disc size not decided. Would the fingertech ones from robotmarketplace be any good or have you got other recommendations?
I dont have any access to a lathe or 3d printer myself either

3mm HTD if you're set on timing belts. Check out beltingonline.

Thanks, very useful site.
I am not set on timing belts. It seems most of you run the round belts and Im wondering where you guya get those belts and pulleys from?

The belt itself can be found on Ebay, the pulleys are generally custom made by Harry or myself. If you can fit them, HTD3 6mm wide timing belts will be a lot more consistent and infinitely tougher. I would strongly suggest having a smooth pulley (again, can be made) on the weapon end for slippage under heavy load. Protects the system.

edit: saying that the 4mm round belts are perfectly viable (use them on my bot) if they are well shielded, it's just that they pop off quite easily if caught by another machine.

Yeah the ability to slip came to my mind for stalling purposes etc. So far ive looked on technobots and beltingonline aswell.
Do you have any specific seller on ebay you use or just search for the size and lengths?
yeah ive seen you guys making pulleys and as you've got the experience i reckon you know what dimensions would suit my needs the best.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RDGTOOLS-T...item51a4c6db4d

I use this stuff. Cut it to length myself and weldmelt it with a lighter or soldering iron.

Ah its the type of belts ive come across earlier on jobs. What do you reckon is best for pulleys, 3d-printed, alu or plastic? Grip wise that is

Alu is flat out best. 3d printing is probably better for grip but alu is much stronger and still gives hella grip.