Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: kpmcgurk on September 07, 2009, 02:13:54 PM

Title: Robonova-1 vs. just servos
Post by: kpmcgurk on September 07, 2009, 02:13:54 PM

so I have been working on a design for a humanoid robot. as far as cad models and everything I will show them when I finished with the initial design. But I ran into something a little odd when I was looking into components the last few days.

HSR-8498HB servos when bought individually are around $59.99 a piece. So lets say that the robot requires 16 servos.... 16 multiplied by 60 is like $960. Part of my goal of this project was to completely make the robot with my own design, and avoid kits such as the Robonova. But what I didn't realize is that the Robonova would be around $899.99 for the kit, which includes 16 HSR-8498HB servos.

What I am getting at here is that you pay less for all the servos, a micro controller, battery, frame and everything else that come with the robot than you would if you purchased all of the servos individually. I know they are the same servos, but is their something not included with them in the robot that isn't with them individually?

(I would also like to say that I will be using the axon for this project and not the Robonova controller just because of the more versatility of it)

Thanks all,
kpmcgurk

Title: Re: Robonova-1 vs. just servos
Post by: Razor Concepts on September 07, 2009, 03:49:57 PM

Its about profits, individual parts will cost more than one big thing.

For example, it would cost more to assemble a car from parts alone compared to just buying an entire car.

Title: Re: Robonova-1 vs. just servos
Post by: kpmcgurk on September 07, 2009, 04:08:04 PM

I realize that their would be a price difference, but not to the point that the engine would cost more than the entire car using your scenario.

-kpmcgurk

Title: Re: Robonova-1 vs. just servos
Post by: Admin on September 07, 2009, 07:23:18 PM

In economics/manufacturing, its called the economy of scale.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_scale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_scale)

Title: Re: Robonova-1 vs. just servos
Post by: Webbot on September 07, 2009, 08:35:10 PM

Of course: Nothing to stop you getting the Robonova kit to save $ and then use the Axon. Look forward to how you get on.

Title: Re: Robonova-1 vs. just servos
Post by: kpmcgurk on September 07, 2009, 08:42:02 PM

So their is no difference in the servos that come with the robot kit vs the servos if bought individually? I know they are the same servo, but I just want to be sure that they didn't take shortcuts on the ones that come standard with the robot kit.

Title: Re: Robonova-1 vs. just servos
Post by: Webbot on September 07, 2009, 09:04:30 PM

They buy hundreds/thousands of them - you buy a few of them. They get a better price for the same thing.
Economics 101