Build Diary - Plastic Fantastic - FW

[Shooty]

That is some beautiful CNC work there. The only negative of this build will be seeing all of the dents on it after several fights...

[Al_]

That is some beautiful CNC work there. The only negative of this build will be seeing all of the dents on it after several fights...

Thanks, but I wouldn't worry about that, it's already got a number of dents in it before it has even had a fight!

[Al_]

Mini update time, which gets the Robot pretty much completed.

Following on from the last update, a quick neatening of the wiring was in order. Most if it is clipped in position where possible and the ESC’s, Rx and Battery are all cushioned with sponge.

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The last large part to be made was the top, it’s almost a mirror of the bottom, just slightly shortened to allow for the wedge. The top and bottom are both tapered at the back to give the robot a chance to drive off another robot’s wedge before the wheels come off the ground. The cut outs in them for the wheels are also filleted on the inside to allow for larger diameter and wider wheels to be fitted when an increase in ground clearance is required.

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Next up, there is the only non-plastic structural part. (Boo!) I have put a 5mm thick mild steel strip along the bottom of the front wedge to hopefully stop it getting bent under itself on impacts. The metal strip is recessed into the wedge to help absorb any big hits.

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Last are the tippers which stop the bot being able to balance on its side or rear. I’m not too sure on these yet, I think the side ones may end up getting caught on other things and cause a problem, so I’m contemplating adding a couple of triangles in front of the leading side tippers to push things past them rather than into them. I’ll give them a try and see how they go.

Other than that, I have had a quick drive to check everything works and that the fail-safes are working. Also, I’ve put it on the scales to check the weight. Almost bang on 12kg which is not too far from what I was predicting.

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All that leaves me now is the cradle, the bigger wheels and the visuals. I might even get chance to make a few spares!