Quote Originally Posted by COAESystems View Post
I've found with beetles it's easy to go over the weight limit so it's a good idea to weigh all the electronics first before cutting the armour to size
Yeah, spent some time today updating my spreadsheet as I get further into the CAD design. Trying to account for every nut, bolt, washer, wire, shim, spacer and belt. Electrics wise I think I have all my weights. I have done a bit of weight saving by cutting pockets into some of the internal areas and non-critical frame sections. I have entered the material properties into CAD and am at about 180g for the top and bottom frame parts and 190g for the main chassis.

Weapon wise I have sent off to have the blade (and spares) cut. Once I have these weights I will then be in a position to finalise a few of the other parts and decide if I will have to print them of if I can mill them on the 5-axis.

To save a bit of weight and combine a lot of the circuitry I have worked with my business partner today and come up with a main board that will house a number of the safety features and handle power management and regulation. She normally spends her time making flight controllers and complicated control systems for our UAV's and other robotic projects. This has got her interest though as one of our company goals was to enter robot wars. This is hopefully the first step towards that goal. Whatever she finalises on will be over specced, redundant and as light as possible. Ill show all after the first fight.

Im really enjoying this so far and already have a few ideas for another beetlewight or two.