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Thread: Obligatory First Featherweight Build Log (FeatherDozer)

  1. #21

  2. #22
    Ocracoke's Avatar
    Team Kaizen

    Thanks for the heads up, looking forwards to seeing the file
    Last edited by Ocracoke; 6th January 2021 at 14:05.
    Team Kaizen - Build Diary for all the robots

    AW: Amai, Ikari, Lafiel, Osu, Ramu
    BW: Shu!, The Honey Badger
    FW: Azriel
    MW: Jibril, Kaizen

  3. #23

  4. #24

  5. #25
    Ocracoke's Avatar
    Team Kaizen

    No worries I have a USBAsp with a stamper pad on it for flashing so I don't need to solder the connections as Robert has to.

    Has anyone had issues when trying to compile the firmware from the master from github (When I click download on the firmware complier tab, nothing happens)?
    I have been able to download it before, it isn't being blocked by a firewall or anything like that?
    Team Kaizen - Build Diary for all the robots

    AW: Amai, Ikari, Lafiel, Osu, Ramu
    BW: Shu!, The Honey Badger
    FW: Azriel
    MW: Jibril, Kaizen

  6. #26

  7. #27
    Fixes & Changes

    First item on the agenda post event 2 was to fix all areas of damage. The notable areas for repair included:

    • Axe damage to arm & self-righter brackets (superficial)
    • Axe damage to main bulkheads (superficial)
    • Axe damage to electronics covers (superficial)
    • General wear & tear of lower front scoops (superficial)
    • General damage to fixed front forks - Spare set of forks to be made

    PXL_20201003_121109643_Capture 2.jpgPXL_20201003_121109643_Capture 3.jpg
    PXL_20201003_121109643_Capture 4.jpg

    Robot teardown revealed no internal damage. I have included the image below is I think it is a good representation of the up to date condition & layout of main chassis as seen in previous posts.

    PXL_20201021_215534638.jpg

    Relay & link outer protection
    As with many other components on FeatherDozer, I wanted to add additional protection to the relays (and link on the right side) without compromising the look of the robot. These panels are easily removeable with just 2 bolts per side and do not interfere with either the lifting mechanism or the ability to install/ remove the link. Below is the CAD and installation of the protective panels.
    Mk1.5 CAD 4 - Side Guard.PNGMk1.5 CAD 5 - Side Guard 2.PNG



    PXL_20201010_151349350.jpgPXL_20201010_151340807.jpg

    New drive speed controllers
    After using a basic recalibration of the Hobbyking F80 speed controllers for 2 events, I decided I wanted more adjustability of settings with a high emphasis to low speed control. In an ideal world, I would be moving into motors and escs with direct feedback from the motor via a position sensor to have better low speed control (e.g. VESCs), however, I do not (as usual) have the space in this design but I wanted to try an alternative.
    The speed controllers I have been testing are 80 amp BLHeli_s ESCs designed for high performance drones. From what I have seen, this type of controller is common within bettleweights but not with featherweights. As the setup can be changed without modification via an Arduino, I can now make setup changes quickly as well as play with numerous settings with lower risks. These speed controllers are not prefect as current limiting functionality is not available . However I thought I would give them a go and early testing of gyro assisted drive setup was relatively unsuccessful. To try to help these speed controllers survive, I have added a larger heatsink and more shock damping (fire resistant foam).
    Early load testing (pushing me along with my office chair) have been positive and I now have better control at low speed with may help some of the lack of control I was having. The F80 speed controllers will become spares in case of issues in real combat with the new ESCs.
    Below is a comparison of the old ESC on the right and the new one with is much smaller and lighter.
    PXL_20201011_115452810.jpg

    New Lifter motor
    As the final event of 2020 was cancelled due to lockdown, I have had some additional time to change the motor in the lifting mechanism as the arm operation is a bit slower than I wanted. The original motor is a standard 18V 775 brushed motor that came with the gearbox from Gimson robotics. As the robot is currently running on 4s lipos, the full capability of this motor is not being utilised. Therefore the new motor is a Vex 775 pro as it is a 12V version of the same motor size. I am hoping that the full speed and torque range can be used with the lower voltage motor. Alternatively I am also considering a brushless setup alternative for the future but it will require a motor of a high KV rating to increase the speed of the mechanism.

    For now, this bring us up to date (early 2021) as we are all experiencing the joys of national lockdown. When the next event happens I will be ready and the meantime, I will continue drive testing and practice.


    PXL_20210110_002448817.jpg

  8. #28
    I'm really impressed by the creativity of this design. Usually the "way" to make a pushing robot is 4 wheel drive or a low angled wedge. I've seen Featherdozer fight in several videos and been curious about the machine for a while. Having read these posts just now it's definitely become one of my favourite featherweights around at the moment - a really interesting read. Thanks for describing your design so thoroughly

  9. #29

  10. #30

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