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General Misc => Misc => Topic started by: Razor Concepts on February 08, 2009, 06:16:18 PM

Title: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on February 08, 2009, 06:16:18 PM
Dot matrix business card is basically done so next project... automated airsoft turret.
Currently I have modifed a cheap AEG to be triggered by a relay, and the relay is triggered by the microcontroller.

(http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6910/turret1004lb5.jpg)
AEG was modifed by opening it up, removing unnecessary components, and using gardening shears to cut off excess plastic. A dremel took care of touching it up to look cleaner. The motor is hooked up directly to the relay.

(http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5800/turret1005at2.jpg)
Simple relay board, I decided to make it on protoboard just in case I fried the relay (first time working with them). Some connectors and one diode was all that was needed.

(http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/1833/turret1001zl4.jpg)
For asthetics, I would be making a laser "eye" like in the portal turrets. A hole is drilled in the center to accomodate a laser. I masked off parts around it that will light up red/green.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: cooldog on February 08, 2009, 07:33:00 PM
next you could mount it on servos

then you could use the stampy robot code moded so that it will follow the target
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: airman00 on February 08, 2009, 07:39:40 PM
you need a MOSFET or transistor to drive the relay
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Metal Slug 2 on February 08, 2009, 10:44:47 PM
Wow! That is So wickedly Awesome!!!
I am definelty gonna try and build one!!..or two...or three..(or one base with three turrets).........
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on February 09, 2009, 03:41:13 PM
After painting and removing masking
(http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/3061/turret2001pa2.jpg)


Light coat of paint over entire thing to diffuse light
(http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6287/turret2004nm7.jpg)



Laser installed
(http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/2096/turret2006xq6.jpg)



Painted gun white (what is with the clearsoft guns)
(http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/5397/turret2008rs1.jpg)



Fill inside with cotton to diffuse light, wrap inside with electrical tape to prevent light from coming out the sides
(http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/5451/turret2009ox5.jpg)



Insert laser and leds
(http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4518/turret2011rn4.jpg)



 :o
(http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7995/turret2012wq3.jpg)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: frodo on February 09, 2009, 03:50:39 PM
nice. looks like that eye thing in big brother. where will it be used
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Spoil9 on February 09, 2009, 04:40:15 PM
Very nice. Which airsoft gun did you start with? I'm assuming you got one that is battery powered so you can activate the trigger with a pulse from the MCU?
I have thought of doing this as well, but can not find a cheap enough airsoft pistol around here that is battery powered that I wouldn't mind hacking up.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on February 09, 2009, 04:42:46 PM
Yeah, it's one of those cheap no-name brand electric airsoft guns. I got mine in a two pack with a pistol for $30 at wal-mart a while back.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on February 10, 2009, 06:59:14 PM
Getting a basic mockup of the tilt mount done, final one might be acrylic. It will be mounted on a rotating base (for pan). I used brackets from budgetrobotics.

(http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/3296/turret3001ml7.jpg)
(http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1497/turret3002ye2.jpg)
(http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6019/turret3003gy7.jpg)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: izaktj on February 10, 2009, 10:06:51 PM
Dude I've always wanted to do something like this!!
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Joesavage1 on February 11, 2009, 11:23:11 AM
Cool!
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on February 15, 2009, 01:50:28 PM
I ran out of shampoo and got a great idea at the same time  ;)
(http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1112/turret4001vu0.jpg)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Metal Slug 2 on February 15, 2009, 03:09:37 PM
Very nice. Which airsoft gun did you start with? I'm assuming you got one that is battery powered so you can activate the trigger with a pulse from the MCU?
I have thought of doing this as well, but can not find a cheap enough airsoft pistol around here that is battery powered that I wouldn't mind hacking up.
Razor Concepts used the  " Pulse-M70 " fully automatic electronic airsoft gun...(i think...its made by a company called Crosman)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Admin on February 18, 2009, 02:11:41 AM
Quote
you need a MOSFET or transistor to drive the relay
trash the relay and just use a MOSFET alone . . . relays are useless today except for high powered stuff. 8)

Where did you buy the airsoft gun at? ERP could sure use a Predator style shoulder mount cannon . . .
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: airman00 on February 18, 2009, 05:58:51 AM
Where did you buy the airsoft gun at?
just look online for the electric airsoft guns, they're everywhere!
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on February 18, 2009, 11:12:29 AM
I got mine at wal-mart or target. Dont spend over $30 for one or else its not worth it.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on February 18, 2009, 09:18:33 PM
Added transistor to drive relay as airman suggested:
(http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3824/turret5007eb8.jpg)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on February 20, 2009, 06:48:46 PM
Finally got some PVC sheet to replace the wood.
(http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7746/turret6001.jpg)
(http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/3859/turret6002.jpg)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: SmAsH on February 20, 2009, 07:23:20 PM
wow, that looks great! but what does the bottle do? mag? air tank??
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Metal Slug 2 on February 20, 2009, 09:40:49 PM
The bottle is used as a hopper, or a mag if u prefer....dont know why such a big one would be needed though...that thing could hold probably 2000+ BB's easily.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: 4by4 on February 21, 2009, 08:51:14 AM
Razor, what's your experience with the reliability of the gun? I've been working on a couple of RC vehicles that originally had airsoft turrets, but the guns got jammed so often, I abandoned them and have switched to IR laser-tag guns. The airsoft guns I used were the cheap ones used in Heng Long tanks. They jammed all the time, and had awful range. I also tried a $20 gun from Walmart, which was also pretty worthless. It had a better range, but jammed a lot also.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on February 21, 2009, 09:27:12 AM
The original unmodifed gun could only hold 84 BBs. Not enough for me  ;D

I've used the gun unmodified for a long time, it has never jammed, although the original BB feeding system would get stuck so you would have to shake the gun a bit to get the BBs to roll down into the chamber. I added the front-feeding system on this to get rid of that problem.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: HyperNerd on February 21, 2009, 11:37:30 AM
if you use cheap BBs then they are not always perfectly round, so get wedged in the barrel. More expensive BBs are more round, so don't have this problem. This should even work with cheap BB guns.

 -HyperNerd
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on February 28, 2009, 01:52:26 PM
Added a base and made a pitch control system using a servo and ball linkages.
(http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/103/turret7001.jpg)
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9089/turret7002.jpg)
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6043/turret7003.jpg)

Video: (Sorry for the South Park in the background, I fogot to pause it  :-X )
http://vimeo.com/3410597
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: SmAsH on February 28, 2009, 03:29:53 PM
wow, i like the way you made the gun pivot are you going to add another rotation axis?
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: TrickyNekro on February 28, 2009, 05:38:40 PM
I really feel like it needs more space to move... a bigger angle range.... really....
Except from that.... everything else just more than fine....
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Joesavage1 on March 01, 2009, 01:05:39 AM
I also agree, it looks like it needs to move more, on the different axis as previously said.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Admin on March 03, 2009, 06:47:32 AM
Quote
I've used the gun unmodified for a long time, it has never jammed, although the original BB feeding system would get stuck so you would have to shake the gun a bit to get the BBs to roll down into the chamber. I added the front-feeding system on this to get rid of that problem.
Use a small vibrating motor, like a pager motor. Have it turn on this motor after every few shots . . . I see this done on feeder systems all the time.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Metal Slug 2 on March 03, 2009, 09:20:04 PM
Quote
I've used the gun unmodified for a long time, it has never jammed, although the original BB feeding system would get stuck so you would have to shake the gun a bit to get the BBs to roll down into the chamber. I added the front-feeding system on this to get rid of that problem.
Use a small vibrating motor, like a pager motor. Have it turn on this motor after every few shots . . . I see this done on feeder systems all the time.

awesome, Thats a great idea... :)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on March 07, 2009, 07:01:36 PM
Changed location of ball link to get more pitch throw, and finally came up with an idea for pan. I used a budgetrobotics servo mount on it's side to hold the pan servo. Sorry for poor video quality, I misplaced my camera so I had to use my mp3 player
http://vimeo.com/3519983 (http://vimeo.com/3519983)

EDIT: Just found it, took better pics and video.
http://vimeo.com/3520224 (http://vimeo.com/3520224)
(http://i40.tinypic.com/5exth1.jpg)
(http://i39.tinypic.com/2ey7y2c.jpg)
(http://i39.tinypic.com/346thsy.jpg)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: madchimp on March 07, 2009, 09:03:34 PM
That is pretty cool. I want to see it shooting stuff lol.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: dannytemmerman on March 08, 2009, 06:01:58 AM
Very nice project
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: ZacAttack on March 11, 2009, 06:08:38 PM
now id love to make one of these that woudl be fully autonomous and shoot moving things (people) for my hexapod
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on March 11, 2009, 09:17:38 PM
Hmm

(http://i39.tinypic.com/inv7cw.jpg)
(http://i43.tinypic.com/jigd5j.jpg)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: SmAsH on March 11, 2009, 10:05:34 PM
wow! that looks so good! great work razor!
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: HDL_CinC_Dragon on March 12, 2009, 03:30:47 PM
hmmm... base looks a tad excessive... also, try cutting out a hole in the lid of the jar and set your servo inside the jar with the servo sticking out so that the base plate of the turret rests almost on top of the lid. It will look better and might perform better? Great stuff so far though!
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on March 12, 2009, 03:49:49 PM
Yeah, and the red eye thing kind of looks funny there. I think I'm going to switch over to a shorter base and put legs on it.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Metal Slug 2 on March 12, 2009, 03:55:56 PM
yea lol, that tower of a contained you have your turret mounted on makes the centre of gravity on it quite high, making it rather unstable...the last thing you want to happen is the turret go to follow someone and as i turns knock its self over :D
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: offy on March 12, 2009, 06:29:26 PM
Very nice. Make a video of it shooting something when it is done, I want to see it in action.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on March 16, 2009, 09:11:21 PM
This is much better. Going for a slightly offset look since completely symmetrical won't work well.
(http://i40.tinypic.com/2db2kvl.jpg)
(http://i41.tinypic.com/1zf38jq.jpg)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: HDL_CinC_Dragon on March 17, 2009, 01:27:30 PM
Much better :) Now all thats left to do is Scale it up about 250x, upgrade the main gun to fire at LEAST 6 inch shells, and add a vision targeting system :)

Looks good so far! keep it up
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: chelmi on March 17, 2009, 01:51:25 PM
Hooooooo it starts to look like the turrets from Portal:

(http://www.dabbledoo.com/ee/images/uploads/gamertell/portal_turrets.jpg)

(http://th08.deviantart.com/fs11/300W/i/2006/244/6/e/Portal_Turret_by_mahalis.png)

Sweeet ;)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: HDL_CinC_Dragon on March 17, 2009, 02:01:26 PM
I want that game so friggen bad... must... not.... spend... money....


Just thought of something too. Is that going to be stable when it has the BB hopper on it? Perhaps giving it a wider stance will help make sure it stays balanced and such?
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on March 17, 2009, 03:05:55 PM
I'll be adding my own little "portal surprise" in a bit, just wait  ;)

I ditched the huge and heavy BB hopper, will be switching to a much lower profile hopper that sits right around the gun. Base is still wobbly so I will be reinforcing it by connecting the bottoms of the legs.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on March 17, 2009, 03:54:44 PM
*blam blam blam blam*

"your business is appreciated."

http://vimeo.com/3727027 (http://vimeo.com/3727027)
 :D
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: HDL_CinC_Dragon on March 18, 2009, 01:44:44 PM
hahaha what the heck man :P I hope your going to make it have some cheesy phaser blaster sound every time it fires :P
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: offy on March 18, 2009, 01:52:52 PM
Thats sweet, I want to go installs Portal again and play it.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Spoil9 on March 19, 2009, 08:31:53 PM
Nice job. Keeps looking better and better.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: paulstreats on March 20, 2009, 06:59:29 PM
make it mobile so you can compete in real mech-wars, link in this topic

http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=7406.0 (http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=7406.0)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: madchimp on March 20, 2009, 08:38:52 PM
some other Turret projects I found.

http://hackedgadgets.com/2007/05/05/top-5-airsoft-hacks/ (http://hackedgadgets.com/2007/05/05/top-5-airsoft-hacks/)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: offy on March 21, 2009, 09:40:40 PM
I still like this one the best. It has a nice design.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on March 22, 2009, 09:31:27 PM
Stampy code is erratically working... my Sharp IR sensor still reads some funny values even though I grounded the case on two points and have 3 capacitors soldered right on it. Oh well, Stampy algorithim isn't exactly a perfect thing to begin with.

Mounted the eye thing, it will not tilt up and down because of space issues. If I actually put it on the gun it would look kind of bulky and out of place. The Roboduino and main battery are screwed on the underside, and I mounted the scanning servo on the front. The wave shield will go behind the pan servo, and the speaker will be mounted on the underside between the scanning servo and the roboduino.
(http://i44.tinypic.com/2a7h8a9.jpg)

To do:
Install relays to trigger gun
Reinforce legs
Add sound system
Add hopper
Add misc. LED lights to make it more interesting
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on March 24, 2009, 07:04:55 PM
I swear there's at least 30 feet of wire in there  :P

(http://i40.tinypic.com/243jf5z.jpg)
(http://i41.tinypic.com/2aabosk.jpg)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: HDL_CinC_Dragon on March 25, 2009, 08:04:53 PM
Hmmm needs more cowbell :P

But in seriousness, have you considered perhaps enclosing the bottom completely so that the brains and speaker and such could be hidden? Might add to the appeal a little bit. Its looking really good so far though! Keep it up :)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on March 25, 2009, 08:12:30 PM
Yup, need to pick up more plastic and will make some plastic walls around the bottom to cover most of the electronics up.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on March 28, 2009, 06:31:31 PM
It tracks!
http://vimeo.com/3900508 (http://vimeo.com/3900508)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: SmAsH on March 28, 2009, 06:39:40 PM
wow man! that things gonna be killer when its done!
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on March 29, 2009, 06:56:28 PM
Almost done  :D
http://vimeo.com/3914462 (http://vimeo.com/3914462)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: HDL_CinC_Dragon on March 29, 2009, 09:53:15 PM
OMG lol that thing is awesome! hahaha nice work man, cant wait to see it when its fully done!
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Trumpkin on March 30, 2009, 10:21:03 AM
Woot Lord of the Rings in the video before last!  ;D
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: offy on March 30, 2009, 12:17:52 PM
Thats sweet, nice work with the LED's and tracking. I also love the portal sound effects. What did you use for the sound?
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on March 30, 2009, 01:37:31 PM
Wave shield from ladyada
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on April 06, 2009, 01:02:11 PM
RazorConcepts Auto Turret Testing (http://www.vimeo.com/4022830)

I need to adjust the tracking a bit. Next up are sensors to tell if the turret has been lifted off the ground, or if it has been knocked over. If one of those are tripped the turret will say more stuff  ;) You know what I mean if you've played Portal.
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: HDL_CinC_Dragon on April 06, 2009, 02:25:26 PM
I just 15 seconds ago purchased Portal on amazon for 9.99 plus shipping. And its all your fault :P
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on April 06, 2009, 02:29:29 PM
Too bad you could just buy it through Steam and download it instantly  ;)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: HDL_CinC_Dragon on April 06, 2009, 02:38:56 PM
bah I dont have steam. Dont you have to subscribe to steam now-a-days anyway? Besides if my HDD ****s the bed again ill be glad I have a hard copy of the game :)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on April 08, 2009, 09:26:50 PM
Done.
Wireless camera
Tip-over detection
Lifted-up detection
RazorConcepts Auto Turret (http://vimeo.com/4070435)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: SmAsH on April 09, 2009, 12:38:24 AM
damn razor, fine work my man! is this the final product or are you adding more features?
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Razor Concepts on April 09, 2009, 01:15:30 PM
Yup its done for now.

Also must keep in mind, metal note... get some more colors of wires instead of a few spools of black... gets very messy
(http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FL3/3EQB/FT3K9Y0T/FL33EQBFT3K9Y0T.MEDIUM.jpg)
(http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/F0L/U28B/FT3K9Y1G/F0LU28BFT3K9Y1G.MEDIUM.jpg)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Trumpkin on April 09, 2009, 03:07:06 PM
You made Hack a Day http://hackaday.com/2009/04/09/portal-ish-automated-turret/ (http://hackaday.com/2009/04/09/portal-ish-automated-turret/)
Title: Re: Automatic Turret
Post by: Admin on May 08, 2009, 04:44:53 PM
Wow nice job Razor!

Here is a thought, do a Stampy algorithm with two Sharp IRs. One tracks left edge, one tracks right edge, and the gun just aims in between.