RE: Gene's robotic soldier [TANKS]

["Gene Burbeck" <gburb-at-advantagecs.com>]

Thanks!

 

Yesterday I got the robot balancing on the big end of the tracks like a segway. I'm using a heading-hold gyro between the Rx and ESC to stabilize the robot - like popping a perfect wheelie and staying up indefinately. The purpose of this standing up function is to get the gun up high enough to shoot over obstacles. The turret will go on a pivoting platform which stays parrallel to the ground while the main robot chassis changes stances and rolls over the rough terrain.

 

Questions, suggestions and comments are welcome.

 

I look forward to sparing with some of the competition tanks soon!

 

Thanks,

 

Gene

 

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From: tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com [mailto:tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com] On Behalf Of Henry Verheggen
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 4:35 PM
To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
Subject: Re: Gene's robotic soldier [TANKS]

Gene, very interesting construction.

-----Original Message-----
From: Gene Burbeck
Sent: Oct 14, 2007 11:28 AM
To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
Subject: Gene's robotic soldier [TANKS]

Todays pics:

http://flickr.com/photos/14886320-at-N05/1569284829/

http://flickr.com/photos/14886320-at-N05/1569283665/

I got a second battery wired up, you can see it in the picture from the top. Each pack is 2.8 AH 24V NIMH, and there are two packs for a total of 5.6 AH at 24V. The robot is much more peppy with the two packs, it can do skid turns in grass and climb stairs. There is room for a third pack if needed - I may also upgrade to a set of 3.6 AH packs if I can find a good deal on a few of them. 

Someone asked about the tracks - They are tracks for a large self-propelled snow blower. I bought the pair lightly used for $40. The tracks have teeth for driving them with sprockets. Instead, I'm just friction driving the tracks with my homemade 8" fiberglass/kevlar wheels. The U-bolts you noticed tension the tracks as tight or loose as needed. I've been surprised at how loose they can be and still not slip. 

Both the front AND back axles have U-bolts for adjusting the chain and track tension independently. 

Gene