DIY Network

All-Terrain Robots -- Design and Construction, Part 3 From "Robot Rivals" episode DROB-108

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Purdue shapes the robotic arms that will hopefully help their machine crawl over obstacles. Purdue rips into the copy machine. The metal chassis of the copy-machine is incorporated into the Purdue robot's frame. A portion of the desk-top copier will be used to house and protect the electronics of Purdue's robot. With holes drilled in the sprockets, Utah begins assembling the upper linkages for their robots legs. Specifically designed nuts extending from the sprockets will fit into the shaft of the extruded-aluminum legs, enabling the robot to "walk." With the mechanics worked out, Utah can finally begin assembling the elaborate frame of their robot. Chris Chianelli discusses some of the ways in which robots help make our lives simpler. Roomba, the room-vacuuming robot.

Work proceeds on building the robotic obstacle-course explorers.

Activity Log: Purdue (Hours 5 - 6)

• Chris extracts the metal inner-chassis of the copier and fits it perfectly onto the motor and wheel assembly.
  
  
  
• Ross drills 1/4th-inch holes through the frame and connects it to the motor and wheel assembly with 1/2-inch bolts
  
  
  
• Purdue installs two high-torque low-rpm motors that drive the claws that Joe built.
  
  
  
• Chris assembles the electronics and the protective housing using more components from desktop copier.
  
  
  
• The final control box has an easy-access lid, a toner switch converted into a power switch, and a row of lights used as a power indicator.
  
  
  
• Brian works with Joe on the drive system. They choose to use two IFI joysticks: one to control the speed and direction of the wheels and the other to activate the clawing motion.

Activity Log: Utah (Hours 5 - 6)

• Ben wires the electronics as Dan threads holes for shaft mounts on the underside of the robots. The 1/4-inch diameter holes contain 20 threads per inch.
  
  
  
• Amji assembles the upper linkage for the leg. He puts one-inch bolts through the 1/4th-inch holes that Ben drilled and adds washers and nuts to each.
  
  
  
• The specially designed nuts slide into extruded aluminum and lock into place. A chain will drive the sprocket and force the leg into motion.

Stereotypically we think of robots performing exotic tasks like handling toxic materials and exploring distant planets. We forget that they help us all the time in our everyday lives. On a basic level, a robot is a machine that executes a set of tasks in an automated and specific order. By that definition, the dishwasher is a recognizable example of a simple "robot."

But scientists are always working on new and more advanced uses for robots to help make our lives easier. Roomba is a vacuum cleaning robot. It uses motors, gears, pulleys, and sensors to determine the size of a room, sweep it, and automatically shut off.

RESOURCES :
Robot Builder's Bonanza
Model: 0071362967
Author: Gordon McComb

Build Your Own Robot!
Model: 1568811020
Author: Karl Lunt

Robots, Androids and Animatrons : 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build
Model: 0070328048
Author: John Iovine

Personal Robotics : Real Robots to Construct, Program, and Explore the World
Model: 156881089X
Author: Richard Raucci

Mobile Robots : Inspiration to Implementation
Model: 1568810970
Author: Joseph L. Jones, et al