Armour ideas / materials

[maddox10]

One last question What are the Average Dimensions / Size Rules for Heavyweight robots. I understand 55KG - 100KG but in terms of size W x H x D?

The old Mentorn rules gave 1400mm*2000mm, height not limited, but had to fit trough the door.
The current evolution is to build as small as possible, to fit the thickest armor within the weight limit.
It's funny to see some heavies are the same size as large feathers.

[Max]

There is no size restrictions, it just has to it through the door! Speaking as a 16 year old design technology enthusiast I imagine you could build a heavyweight with a lot of planning and reading through all the information on this forum, it's the best place for research. I would build something cheap and easy to begin with to save expensive mistakes, something wheelchair powered and sla batteries. Something without an active weapon.
Your probably best to start off with a feather weight though, it's cheaper and easier but you will learn a lot.
Just my thoughts.

[Jon Smith]

I'm Not planning to enter fights until I have a reliable setup with everything I need to make it worth it. I will make sure I drop into a event at some point during my research to get information, tips etc. face to face.

I have done it before on every single project and I find face to face advice the best available. I know many people have told me to start feather weight and I get the reasons but I don't want to build two robots that effectively do the same thing as I'm looking to gain as much range in skills before I go to university I have to move on after each project.

And believe it or not I'm already planning the project after this. If you want to know it involves artificial intelligence. I would love to make this combat robot AI enabled but I'm not prepared to send £500 worth of sensors and computer into a plastic box to be chopped up into thousands of pieces. Motors ,ESC's I don't mind they can be replaced easy (I hope).


Although (Mind-Post Light Bulb moment) I can install a Arduino System to send the data to a computer externally via a APC220 to then run the AI and relay the commands back. Ok that's booked for Tinker Time in the Garage when I complete the heavyweight.

Thanks for the advice.

Ok so would you say 1m long x 0.5m Wide x 0.4m tall a good Size or bigger still?

[plargen]

the smaller you can make it the more weight you can put into armour and weapons

if you have a rough idea of the shape you want, then when you get the main components you can do a basic layout to see how compact you can make it

[Max]

Just my opinion- I don't think this hobby is the kind that you can simply build one super robot then be done with it, it takes time to build robots and work on from those mistakes and slowly build up to a really good robot.
If you want to, I urge you to try to build a heavyweight. I have found a lot of people on this forum and some teachers etc. that can suggest things are too hard to do, and I am greatful for their help but I have succeeded in doing them. So don't let them put you off, but be aware it will be tough and like I said you probably will need trial and improvement to make a good robot that doesn't get broken.

[Jon Smith]

Yep I feel a lot of "Wax on, Wax Off" moments but I am prepared to go for it and yea plargen your right I will see if I can get a image of my cad designs hold on a sec

[Jon Smith]

That is the basic shape and active weaponry will be a later attachment and the brackets will be mounted under the "Skirt". The "skirt" is a bracket and flap system to stop flippers getting under the robot to prevent flipping. you can also see a tool free access panel at the back. I will make it small as it only needs to be big enough to disconnect the battery connector. Anyway there you go and remember this is just a concept.

[Jon Smith]

Basic concept.jpg

[maddox10]

Good armor shape, shallow angle glacis all around, but good luck fitting everything in there. A pyramid is a bad shape concerning volume.

Also, in an arena dominated by flippers (sorry for that) that get under anything, the machine you show doesn't have any upside down driving capacity, nor a selfrighter. Thats rather a pity.

[Jon Smith]

Don't worry I have plans for self righter. I believe I will need to use actuators however fun pneumatic robot launchers are I don't really want to blow my budget.