Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: gerard on October 25, 2013, 10:46:18 PM

Title: RC Tracked Platform V1, V2, and V3
Post by: gerard on October 25, 2013, 10:46:18 PM
Hey guys!
I have been working on RC tracked platforms for the past few years, and I think you guys might like to see some of the things I have made. I have always wanted a fully wireless tracked vehicle with a wireless camera on it, like Superdroid robots, but without costing $18k. I have put the first two prototypes in here too so you can see how I have slowly gone from small to big. I hope you enjoy!

Video of V1 Tracked Vehicle: RC Tracked vehicle #1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wwbzZWaLAw#)
Video of V2 Tracked Vehicle: RC Tracked vehicle #2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gq69jRFzpk#)
Video of V3 Tracked vehicle: Coming soon!

Version 3 has two AME 18Nm ~90rpm wiper motors, a Sabertooth 2x25 dual motor controller, a 12V lead-acid battery, 8in pulley wheels, and home-made tracks.
I made the tracks using V-belts (for the pulley wheels of course) with bike tires screwed on to it with short screws. I cut the walls of the bike tires to leave only the tread. Very high traction for a low price! The vehicle is controlled by a 4 channel RC radio controller, which I will soon upgrade to a 6 channel 2.4GHz controller (the Spektrum DX6i). This vehicle is not yet finished. I am awaiting a shipment of the new controller, two giant-scale servos, and a AEG airsoft gun. I will soon have a pan/tilt system for the gun, with my wireless camera on it.

This tracked platform is ~8in tall, 3ft long, and 2ft wide. The largest vehicle I have ever made. Although it is made of all aluminum, it is too heavy to wall-climb over stairs, but it does have enough torque to go up a 45* angle.

For those of you interested, I am using a Uniden portable wireless 2.4GHz surveillance camera that has colour, night vision, zoom, sound, 500ft range, and a portable battery powered monitor. I love this camera, it forks great for putting on large RC vehicles :)

Pictures are in the next few posts! Feel free to ask any questions :D
Title: Re: RC Tracked Platform V1, V2, and V3
Post by: gerard on October 25, 2013, 11:03:47 PM
Pics of V1 tracked vehicle:
Title: Re: RC Tracked Platform V1, V2, and V3
Post by: gerard on October 25, 2013, 11:05:11 PM
Pics of V2 tracked vehicle:
Title: Re: RC Tracked Platform V1, V2, and V3
Post by: gerard on October 25, 2013, 11:07:35 PM
Pics of V3 tracked vehicle:
Title: Re: RC Tracked Platform V1, V2, and V3
Post by: gerard on October 25, 2013, 11:10:29 PM
More pics of V3 tracked vehicle:
Title: Re: RC Tracked Platform V1, V2, and V3
Post by: jwatte on October 26, 2013, 03:06:52 PM
That looks pretty great!

The concavity of the wheels doesn't seem that deep -- how do you avoid the treads coming off when you turn in place?
Title: Re: RC Tracked Platform V1, V2, and V3
Post by: gerard on October 26, 2013, 06:20:03 PM
That looks pretty great!

The concavity of the wheels doesn't seem that deep -- how do you avoid the treads coming off when you turn in place?

That is something I thought would be a problem, but the V-belts haven't come off a single time yet :D
They seem pretty good at staying in the groove of the pulley wheels. If the belt is loose though, then it can sometimes fall off...
Title: Re: RC Tracked Platform V1, V2, and V3
Post by: Jackson21 on October 27, 2013, 09:14:28 PM
Do you think that a v-belt would have enough traction on its own to use as tread? If not I'm sure I could find some rubber tape or do something similar to the bike tires. I was thinking I might not even have to splice/staple if I can get a close fit then just add a tensioner.
Title: Re: RC Tracked Platform V1, V2, and V3
Post by: gerard on October 27, 2013, 10:04:08 PM
Do you think that a v-belt would have enough traction on its own to use as tread? If not I'm sure I could find some rubber tape or do something similar to the bike tires. I was thinking I might not even have to splice/staple if I can get a close fit then just add a tensioner.

The outside of the belt is actually pretty slippery, and slightly inset to the pulley wheel. It would be possible if you could put some sort of material on it for traction. I used bike wheels, but you could also use some flexible rubber, maybe car timing belts inside out. Just have the rubber/bike tires/timing belts or whatever you use- be a bit wider than the v-belt. That way when the belt goes around the pulley wheel, the metal of the wheel will not be on the ground.