Anyone else use Erector Sets to build robot chassis?

[hoosier122]

Does anyone else use Erector sets to build robot chassis? I do and find it extremely helpful that everything is a standard size.  Yes, I know as robots get more complex I'll have to adapt and use something more "flexible." But for now it works great for basic robots.

[hoosier122]

Ok, I guess I'll stop being lazy and post pics when I have a chance. FYI I really suggest using erector sets. They ensure everything is square and they can be had for cheap.

[Asellith]

Let me know your experience with this. I didn't use erector that often but to build easy brackets for stuff. However I see a big need and am trying to fill it. Erector sets can be more useful then lego and look better but no electronics interface to them. So I'm designing an entire system to bring robotics to erector sets. I have an EZ1 sensor and a servo sensor done now. working on others and I might even design an entire humanoid/hex system for use with erector.

Please let me know what you would want to be able to bolt to an erector set. Also planning on offering hardware kits to replace the crappy bolts that come with it

[hoosier122]

Let me know your experience with this. I didn't use erector that often but to build easy brackets for stuff. However I see a big need and am trying to fill it. Erector sets can be more useful then lego and look better but no electronics interface to them. So I'm designing an entire system to bring robotics to erector sets. I have an EZ1 sensor and a servo sensor done now. working on others and I might even design an entire humanoid/hex system for use with erector.

Please let me know what you would want to be able to bolt to an erector set. Also planning on offering hardware kits to replace the crappy bolts that come with it

You're ahead of me. I just made a chassis and front axle for the $50 robot using an erector set. I did mount my circuit board to it using brackets, spacers and washers. If you use enough spacers, brackets and washers you can make it fit any dimensions.

Most of all it's rigid and square.

[voyager2]

Erector(mecano where i am)is rather useful for prototypes, however the end result can be bulky and often (in my case) ugly.
The motors are weak (not a problem if use servos) and the screws, battery holder, and plastic bits break.
 

[hoosier122]

Erector(mecano where i am)is rather useful for prototypes, however the end result can be bulky and often (in my case) ugly.
The motors are weak (not a problem if use servos) and the screws, battery holder, and plastic bits break.
 

I didn't use the motors, just the metal parts for the frame and chassis.

[Asellith]

The metal bits are great and with new hardware they would actually stay together. That's what I'm trying to put together and get to market. Kits and plans to make robots and other stuff. Another step up the chain from lego robotics. Include aurdino and beefier motor support. A special side project for Axon users as well. I'm researching and thinking about it right now but after my CNC build is done it is my next major project. I need to check how to legally do it but if I don't call it the erector set robot kit I don't think I will have a problem.

[blackbeard]

for smaller robots i generally build off the protoboard as a chassis. that way i have my entire robot`s body to solder parts too. for larger projects... well i really havn`t done many larger projects.

[jocatch]

I just ordered the microcontroller and motors for my next robot project and I was thinking about using Erector set parts has I have alot of parts laying around. Before I decide I would love to see some photos so I can get an idea of what they look like. Any photos around?

JC

[rc3105]

I don't have much in the way of lego or erector set pieces, but I do find it handy to drill aluminum, hdpe, brass, wood, plexi & whatnot such that they all interconnect easily