how do you design your robot with exact dimensions and...

[Rahulvyas]

Hello,
I want to design a new robot, which will be a nice one, but the question is how do you design a robot from scratch?
I am confused with it.



Thanks,
Rahul

[maddox10]

For me, I look at what parts I want to use, and let the robot grow on these parts.

Easier than fitting everything in a pre-made armor-box.

[typhoon_driver]

look at videos or attend events to determine what you want to build. Sketch up a few designs and write up a list of parts. From here you can either cad up the design, build a mock up in cardboard our jump straight in (not advisable).

get your parts together and begin manufacture. Test it, break it, fix it repeat indefinitely

[teamstorm]

For Storm II, the reverse of Mario.....

- Define what you want your robot to do at the highest level possible (we started with the word 'win')
- Break that initial statement down into what you think is required to achieve that goal (for us words like maintainability, reliability, ease of access were all things we considered in being required to win, long before we thought about weapons - they are a secondary thing)
- Understand the hardware that you want to build your robot out of, research, research, research. Attend some live events (http://www.robotslive.co.uk and http://www.roamingrobots.co.uk or http://www.robochallenge.co.uk) before you buy anything as having attended you might find you want to go back to stage one again
- Then... and only then start working out what needs to go where, and let that drive the overall size of the robot. Just propping parts up against each other as you aquire them is a far way to go, and never underestimate CAD (Cardboard Aided Design).... or if you fancy teaching yourself, Computer Aided Design

Only after all that, will you start to have a feel for how big something will be. But my honest advice is don't start with a pre-concieved idea about what the robot will look like, work out what you want it to do.

[Kenny]

I think the best possible thing you can do is come to the Robo challenge workshop weekend in december ( See live events page) you will be talked through all the parts what goes into making a robot and also see them fighting

[psychostorm]

I think the best possible thing you can do is come to the Robo challenge workshop weekend in december ( See live events page) you will be talked through all the parts what goes into making a robot and also see them fighting

I think the OP is posting from India.

[Rahulvyas]

Thanks..
I like the idea of making CAD(Cardboard design ). Do you have any Computerized CAD model of a simple robot which you made(if you let me see it).
I have Solidworks in my PC but I dont want to first waste a lot of time learning it and then start designing.
I used to have google sketchup which literally sucks. its very very basic and nothing good with it.
If you guys can show me your design please do.
Because this CAD design(which I gonna make) , I will hand over it to the laser cutting shop which will cut the plastic into this shape.

[Rahulvyas]

Also, teamstorm I like your robot's design. Its really really nice. Can I make something like yours?

[psycho_fling]

imo after reading you have solidworks already this might be the perfect opportunity to learn the program.

so design a robot as the others have said then try and do so within solidworks, everyones first robot (typically) is kinda basic so it shouldn't be too difficult to input into solidworks.

plus when you want to upgrade parts or build a whole new robot you can use SW to produce part file etc which can then be machined or cut out professionally.

[kane]

Definately learn the software, this is a skill you can take with you. Cardboard is a great tool for roughing out the basics though. Lego and meccano can also be really good tools.