Creamy Robot Goodness » Robotics

Gunther, parts on the way

Dave — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 07:22:09 +0000

Well after talking to Ryan (Thanks Ryan!) I have a better feel for what this robot is going to need. I’m using E-Maxx RC monster truck parts for the suspension. The parts (suspension, wheels, and most of the drive shafts), if purchased alone, would come to about $485. Fortunately I just won two used partial E-Maxxes on Ebay, total $312.50 delivered. That should cover everything except two tires, so that’s a pretty decent savings, and this way I can see the entire assembled thing in my hands. (Plus there’s some extra goodies I can tear off the trucks.) The timing belts and pulleys to transfer torque from the two motors to the 6 wheels will probably come from McMaster Carr, since they have bloody everything. I wish I could afford to build the whole robot using those parts. Of course it’d come out about the size of a tank.

Ordered the motors from Herbach and Rademan. Same motors I used on Johan, so I already know they’re good.

I may change my mind, but I’ve been planning on using nomex honeycomb / fiberglass sandwich for the main chassis plates. Super strong, super light, super duper.

Got some parts coming so I can make a hot wire foam cutter (also from Herbach and Rademan). I’m planning on using that to help me make a foam shell for Gunther, which can then be laid up with Kevlar, fiberglass, and epoxy. I’d also like to use it to try my hand at lost foam casting, using Chris’ foundry.

Suzannah says it’s pronounced basically “goon-tehr”. So don’t say my robot’s name wrong, it’ll make him feel bad!

I need very badly to sleep. But I’m excited about this project. Rock, rock on.

Next Robot Thoughts

Dave — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 07:21:30 +0000

Insomnia stinks.

I’m in the early planning stages of my next robot. Here’s the gist of what I want: it should be a capable outdoor robot that fixes the biggest mechanical problems with Johan, it should be able to serve as a flexible platform for future work, it should be built using all the best tools and techniques, it should have a composite outer shell… and it should have a fully aimable multi-rail rocket launching pod. I plan on using the same motors as I used on Johan, but the drivetrain and suspension will be made out of RC monster truck parts. The shell is currently planned to be Kevlar underneath for strength, and fiberglass on the outside for a nice(-ish) finish. I’d like to be able to take it out to a rocket launch, have it autonomously drive out to the pad, raise its launcher, and ripple-fire half a dozen small rockets into the air. A small pneumatic gun capable of shooting dried corn kernels or something would be cool too, but that may be a bit much for now. This robot will be…. expensive. It’ll also be really really cool. It’ll hopefully use a Gumstix computer as its main processor, with many AVRs scattered around to do the odd jobs.

In keeping with the trend (Fritz, Johan, Arnold), the names I’m considering are all Germanic: Gertrude (“spear of strength”), Brunhild (brun is “armor/protection”, hild is “battle”), Dieter (“warrior of the people”), Gunther (“army/warrior”), Hildebrand (“battle sword”) or Hildegard (“battle enclosure”). I’m currently leaning towards Hildebrand, I think.

UPDATE: his name is Gunther (pronounced “goontehr”).