Author Topic: My R/C Tank  (Read 15711 times)

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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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My R/C Tank
« on: October 15, 2007, 06:32:06 PM »
Hey, I am building a tank and this is what I'm planning to do.

Put one servo per tread to a drive wheel and have a couple of wheels on each tread. This is the tread kit I want to use.

http://www.budgetrobotics.com/shop/?cat=154&shop=1 (click on their Tankbot XL link to get an idea)

I'll use my 2 hs-311 servos from my 50$ robot for drive. I'll use a 3 or 4 channel transmitter and receiver from servocity.com to control.

Also, I have a question. I want to make a gun on top that shoots plastic BB bullets. How do I make like an air compression chamber and use my transmitter to control it with 2 servos (one for left right, other for up down) and how do I set it off to fire?

Offline airman00

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2007, 06:53:19 PM »
Why not just get this http://www.budgetrobotics.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=51&cart=504692
I know it might be expensive but setting up a tank chassis is VERY VERY ANNOYING. You will get very annoyed by it, so I would suggest buying the chassis or buying a toy which has tank tracks  and just switching the motors it has in it already with your servos. Buy the chassis ready made!


The shooting part works like follows:
Have a push/pull solenoid open and close a valve to the compression chamber. Then you have a BB hopper which feeds the bullets down into a tube. The solenoid opens the valve and BB bullets fall into the tube and get shot out.

Alternatively, you could buy an airsoft gun ( like pistol or something)  and use a servo to press the trigger mechanically.


also,
are you building this tank for the end effect or are you building it so that you can learn about robotics.
Probably, a good idea is to find a cheap BB shooting tank on eBay and base your project on that. Then when you're done with your tank you can have them fight each other.  :D
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2007, 07:43:42 PM »
Sorry that thing is too expensive. And it would be a good idea to buy an rc tank but I just don't have the money.

Also this part REALLY confuses me. Look I'm getting all this stuff:

1. 6-channel Transmitter - http://www.hobbypartz.com/6trwccccopim.html - $29.95
2. 6-channel Receiver - http://www.hobbypartz.com/es6re.html - $29.95
3. 7.2V battery pack - http://www.hobbypartz.com/712ba.html - $13.95
4. Tank treads(changed) - http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-tank-tread-kit.shtml - $29.99
5. The chassis -  not sure what I'm going to do. If you guys have any suggestions it's REALLY helpful to me. Thanks

OK, this is the part I don't get. I want to put two servos side to side in the back to drive the treads. One servo per tread. I'm making it differential drive. OK, to go forward I push the stick up. Backwards, stick down. But since there's two servos, that's two channels and when I push the stick up, how do I make it use  BOTH of the servos even though they're in different channels? Then, to go left I push it to the left, right then right. So when I push left that controls channel 1 right? and it makes the servo go forward. Then when I push right it turns on channel 2 and the other side's servo goes forward. Right?

Any clarifications are appreciated. I'm kinda confused on this stuff and I need help. Thanks in advance!  ;)
« Last Edit: October 15, 2007, 10:24:48 PM by garriwilson »

Offline TrickyNekro

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2007, 04:58:57 AM »
Hack a toy and get the whole platform!!
See the link in my signature!!!
For whom the interrupts toll...

Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #4 on: October 16, 2007, 07:05:48 PM »
TrickyNeckro, I just wanted to know where you got your toy bulldozer. I found a lot on the internet but I'm not sure if they're already r/c, whether the treads are moving or stationary and other stuff. Here are some I found that I liked (please tell me if they're suitable and which one is the best):

1. http://toytruckcity.stores.yahoo.net/cat38ex.html
2. http://toytruckcity.stores.yahoo.net/cat38lexwime.html (it says it has metal tracks, what does that mean?)

and some other ones.

Offline airman00

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #5 on: October 16, 2007, 07:37:11 PM »
those are  models, not motorized


search google for "toy tanks" , "r/c tanks" , and "motorized toy tank"


Also, what is your budget for the chassis of the robot? how much are you willing to spend.
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2007, 08:00:22 AM »
hey,

my total budget will be 157.50$ That's how much I make a month at my school's cafeteria (I'm starting in November cuz they won't pay half of september if I start now.)

This is what I came up with:

1. 4 HS-311 Servos (for the excavator shovel)
2. Excavator Toy (I already found one and I'm sure of it. THe link is bad on the site so I couldn't post, sorry. :-[, but here is a picture of it: http://www.3000toys.com/images/NORSCOT/55096.jpg)
3. Transmitter+Receiver (6-channel) about a 100$
4. Some HDPE - around 15$ (optional) from McMaster Carr
5. Tank Tread Kit - 25$ (optional)
Total(least): 150-160$
Total(most with HDPE and tank treads)- 190-200$

All of these Include Shipping and Handling

Tell me what you think  :P

Offline airman00

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2007, 02:33:35 PM »
how long a range of remote control do u want???
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Offline ed1380

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #8 on: October 17, 2007, 04:12:00 PM »
I've read through the thread and my 2 cents-

get a rc toy tank
keep those motors cause they're probably stronger than the 311 servos.

some already have a motorized turrent with a fire button (it fires red light from a led)

make it a semi auto (self reseting) so no reloading button necesary 
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Offline airman00

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #9 on: October 17, 2007, 04:47:40 PM »
Thast why I was asking about range...


And I think garriwilson is after the learning experience and not the end product.
which I think is GREAT!  ;D
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #10 on: October 17, 2007, 06:34:44 PM »
Quote
And I think garriwilson is after the learning experience and not the end product.
which I think is GREAT!   ;D

Exactly right. That's why I haven't even started yet. And I changed my mind in one of the posts in this thread to make an rc excavator.
1. 4 of these awesome hi-torque servos for the shovel but cheap (is this a scam?): http://www.basicx.com/Products/robotparts/Servo1.htm) -56$ (about)

2. Excavator Toy (I already found one and I'm sure of it. THe link is bad on the site so I couldn't post, sorry  :-[ . But here is a picture of it: http://www.3000toys.com/images/NORSCOT/55096.jpg)

3. Transmitter+Receiver (6-channel) about a 100$ (look at this and tell me if it's a bad site or a scam:
transmitter-(http://www.hobbypartz.com/6trwccccopim.html), receiver - (http://www.hobbypartz.com/es6re.html). I am suspicious of this site cuz they might send me the things without crystals or it might be cruddy if you know what I mean. How do I know it's a good site to order from?

4. Tank Tread Kit - 25$ (optional most likely won't buy it because excavator has tracks that are movable)

Total(least): 150-160$ (156$ is more exact but still not accurate)
Total(most with tank treads)- 190$


All of these Include Shipping and Handling

Tell me what you think  :P

Rc range: at least 30 meters (is that 90 feet?) if that's short plz tell me.
« Last Edit: October 17, 2007, 06:46:05 PM by garriwilson »

Offline airman00

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #11 on: October 17, 2007, 07:26:43 PM »
It will be incredibly difficult to mount servos on this:


Did you think about adding the servos to make the tracks move? How on earth are you going to connect the servos? Also, if you make it a r/c excavator your servos will add weight to the shovel and you will need a really strong servo to support the rest of the servo ( kinda like a robot arm)

Those servos you posted are fine, but then again :  How the heck are you gonna mount the servos and make the servos move the tracks???

For the range: Where do you want to drive it from? In the same room as you or in a different floor then you ( pointless without a wireless cam)

If its on the same floor use an R/C toy car receiver and transmitter.

So you need to start from scratch now.

I saw a kit by Tamiya which is an excavator or power shovel or power dozer kit.


Use that to get you started and it'll be easier to add servos to that then to the model you suggested.

hack that bulldozer kit and make it R/C

also I don't see where youre going with this rover? You want to build a motorized toy basically? as a learning experience?

Hope I helped,
Eric

Feel free to ask me any question
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Offline ed1380

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #12 on: October 18, 2007, 02:44:47 PM »
It will be incredibly difficult to mount servos on this:


Did you think about adding the servos to make the tracks move? How on earth are you going to connect the servos? Also, if you make it a r/c excavator your servos will add weight to the shovel and you will need a really strong servo to support the rest of the servo ( kinda like a robot arm)

Those servos you posted are fine, but then again :  How the heck are you gonna mount the servos and make the servos move the tracks???

For the range: Where do you want to drive it from? In the same room as you or in a different floor then you ( pointless without a wireless cam)

If its on the same floor use an R/C toy car receiver and transmitter.

So you need to start from scratch now.

I saw a kit by Tamiya which is an excavator or power shovel or power dozer kit.


Use that to get you started and it'll be easier to add servos to that then to the model you suggested.

hack that bulldozer kit and make it R/C

also I don't see where youre going with this rover? You want to build a motorized toy basically? as a learning experience?

Hope I helped,
Eric

Feel free to ask me any question

maybe he could mount the servos on the main body and use a tendon like mechanism to power it

IDk how he's gonna do the propulsion though
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Offline airman00

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #13 on: October 18, 2007, 05:03:39 PM »
Yep,

Thats why the bulldozer kit I recommended is the best choice.
However, the bulldozer kit has DC motors, which I assume can be replaced by servos, but hey why get  a modified servo when you could just pwm a motor?

garriwilson remember what you are trying to do here1 You want to learn more about robotics. Get a kit , build the kit, and then modify to your needs! You will learn a ton that way. also google is a great way to search for anything. Research is key!
Measure 7 times and cut twice!
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #14 on: October 18, 2007, 05:44:43 PM »
I wanted to put servos with like those rubber things to pull the arm from the main body. To drive the treads, I hope that the top is removable and then I'll add the servos and put the top back on.

Also, could you guys tell me if the websites I posted are good enough to order from. I am afraid the cheap transmitter and receiver are a scam or something. Just making sure.

And you guys didn't answer this part which really confuses me. IF you guys know please explain. Thanks
Quote
OK, this is the part I don't get. I want to put two servos side to side in the back to drive the treads. One servo per tread. I'm making it differential drive. OK, to go forward I push the stick up. Backwards, stick down. But since there's two servos, that's two channels and when I push the stick up, how do I make it use  BOTH of the servos even though they're in different channels? Then, to go left I push it to the left, right then right. So when I push left that controls channel 1 right? and it makes the servo go forward. Then when I push right it turns on channel 2 and the other side's servo goes forward. Right?
« Last Edit: October 18, 2007, 05:56:20 PM by garriwilson »

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #15 on: October 19, 2007, 08:13:27 PM »
Quote
OK, this is the part I don't get. I want to put two servos side to side in the back to drive the treads. One servo per tread. I'm making it differential drive. OK, to go forward I push the stick up. Backwards, stick down. But since there's two servos, that's two channels and when I push the stick up, how do I make it use  BOTH of the servos even though they're in different channels? Then, to go left I push it to the left, right then right. So when I push left that controls channel 1 right? and it makes the servo go forward. Then when I push right it turns on channel 2 and the other side's servo goes forward. Right?
You would use one channel for each servo. For example, channel 1 is up and channel 2 is down, the robot turns clockwise.

Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #16 on: October 20, 2007, 11:29:03 AM »
Ok I trashed the whole excavator crap. I didn't think of how hard it would be to mount the servos.

Now I'm just gonna buy

1. A power drilll

2. Lots of HDPE

3.buy this saw thing http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100029025&N=10000003+502949+10401005&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125
(WOW, the website is long).

4.Then I'm gonna buy treads from here (http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-tank-tread-kit.shtml)

If the price with the HDPE and treads comes out expensive, I'll buy this (http://www.budgetrobotics.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=49&cart=506529)
or this: (http://www.budgetrobotics.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=51&cart=506529)

5. I really want my robot to be able to dig like an excavator but I don't want to buy a whole model excavator and rip off the shovel. Is there any place I could just get the shovel?

Thanks! (Sorry I change my mind so much :-[)

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #17 on: October 20, 2007, 11:39:06 AM »
buy some safety googles, and maybe a clamp, too . . .

also, go to the back of the store and take some scrap wood near the cutting saws - you will need it as a mount to hold your HDPE while you cut

Offline hgordon

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #18 on: October 20, 2007, 12:05:14 PM »
I just noticed your post and remembered that I did something similar a couple years ago.  Take a look at:

http://www.surveyor.com/cgi-bin/robot_journal.cgi/2006/02/13#008
http://www.surveyor.com/cgi-bin/robot_journal.cgi/2006/02/14#009
http://www.surveyor.com/cgi-bin/robot_journal.cgi/2006/02/18#010

It actually worked pretty well.




« Last Edit: October 20, 2007, 12:10:03 PM by hgordon »
Surveyor Corporation
  www.surveyor.com

Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #19 on: October 20, 2007, 04:57:46 PM »
The list I posted wasn't final and I decided to get this circular saw because the other one needs an air compressor.
Here: (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100089166&N=10000003+500939+10401001&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125)

Quote
also, go to the back of the store and take some scrap wood near the cutting saws - you will need it as a mount to hold your HDPE while you cut

in the back of what store? and do you mean clamp the HDPE to the wood?

Also, will this: (http://www.hobbypartz.com/es6re.html)-(I think this receiver is a pile of poop), work with this: (http://www.servocity.com/~servo/html/laser_6_fm_ground_systems.html)

Is this drill good: (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&productId=100005049)

And, do you guys know where to get a robotic arm with a shovel on the end? Kinda like an excavator. Or should I make it myself? If I do, the only thing I don't know is how to make the joints movable if you know what I mean. Like if I just put screws in it's going to be tight and inefficient. Is there a special way to do it.

Also, do you know those rubber things you put into servo arm holes and I believe they're called tendons? Should I use that for the shovel? Are they strong, or will they rip when the shovel tries to dig?

Sorry, I have a lot of questions. Thanks for your help!

Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #20 on: October 20, 2007, 05:21:42 PM »
PVC Plastic: (http://www.budgetrobotics.com/shop/?shop=1&cart=506529&cat=103&)

Has anyone here ever used PVC plastic? I typed it in google it says PVC: poison plastic. OK... then why are they selling it as materials if it's poison?

Is it like HDPE? can you bend it or is it rigid? Light or heavy?

Offline ed1380

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #21 on: October 20, 2007, 05:54:29 PM »
my little bro has a sheet metal excavator with rods instead of tendons actually it's flat metal not rods, but oyu get the point)

you want a pic of it?
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #22 on: October 20, 2007, 06:23:06 PM »
you want a pic of it?

Sure, if it's not a problem for you. Because I didn't really get what you were talking about. Thanks!

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #23 on: October 20, 2007, 11:06:42 PM »
Quote
in the back of what store? and do you mean clamp the HDPE to the wood?
yeap . . . your other option is to hold the HDPE in your hand while you cut :P

Quote
Is it like HDPE? can you bend it or is it rigid? Light or heavy?
check out the three external links at the bottom of this page for more info:
http://www.societyofrobots.com/materials.shtml

(and ignore the poison stuff, its just media hype)

Offline ed1380

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #24 on: October 21, 2007, 08:16:44 AM »
heres what I took this morning.

hope it help

if you want bigger pics click on it. if you sill feeling greedy let me know  :D

that thing is a trooper. it's been driven over by a 4ton bobcat and only the roof bent




« Last Edit: October 21, 2007, 08:19:21 AM by ed1380 »
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #25 on: October 21, 2007, 02:47:35 PM »
Thanks for the pics! That helped. Where did you get it though?

BTW, I'm more interested in RC airplanes than robots. Sorry guys. I just like making airplanes and I want to get this kit: http://www.hobby-lobby.com/bellanca.htm

It looks affordable, cool, and a very good airplane. It comes with all the rc gear except the aileron's and servos for ailerons. I'll get those and make the ailerons myself. I hope I don't break it.  ;D
I just need hinges for the ailerons. Do you guys know where I could get it like land stores (not online-I don't want to pay shipping for 1 gram thing lol) like Radioshack. Do 99 cent stores have them? Whatever I'll just look myself.

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #26 on: October 21, 2007, 03:59:05 PM »
OK,

i think you should try something new like building robots.

Don't get me wrong I love r/c planes and helicopters, but a robot can be used indoors and has a mind of its own (sorta..) ;D
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #27 on: October 21, 2007, 04:18:41 PM »
Quote
i think you should try something new like building robots.

I certainly would if I knew how to program and was able to make working circuits. I mean why not if you can?
It's just that I'm more interested in flying things, but I love electronics of robots. I love making the circuit boards, planning the chassis and actually building. I love all that stuff.

And could you guys tell me what a mechanical engineer does? I told myself that my career will have to do with airplanes and space travel, but can a mechanical engineer go into those areas?

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #28 on: October 21, 2007, 06:00:46 PM »

Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: My R/C Tank
« Reply #29 on: October 21, 2007, 06:22:38 PM »
Thank you!  ;)

So rocket engines kinda has something to do with space shuttles? Like making better engines? I wanna do that.  :P

 


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