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Unread 10-12-2009, 17:08
enrgizerbunny enrgizerbunny is offline
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AKA: Nathan Waters
FRC #0975 (Synergy)
Team Role: Alumni
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Rookie Year: 2005
Location: Afghanistan currently
Posts: 5
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Re: Afghanistan robot

Alright. I was finally able to get the reply page to load, so this post may get long again.

We're currently in the process of designing the drivetrain and chassis in a CAD program on one of our personal computers. In theory we'll have a 3D model as we build.
I know these descriptions are vague, because my knowlege of the components is only what's printed on them.
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As of now we currently have:

A set of treads and all the necessessary wheels to drive them.
1 24VDC motor on a worm gear (window motor) rpm/torque/hp unknown
1 12VDC motor with 4:1 gearbox attached, rpm/torque/hp unknown
1 24VDC motor with 3:1 gearbox attached, rpm/torque/hp unknown
1 Gearbox 1:1.84 ratio, output shaft is perpendicular to input
Sprockets and chain, large and small. Not enough to complete project.
2 worm gears
3 bearings with the possibility of being used on axles
4 limit switches
2 Potentiometers
1 circuit board with about 6 capacitors among other components that would be difficult to desolder/remove
1 switch that will most likely serve as a main power switch
1 voltage regulator 24VDC to 12VDC (I'm still finding it, but I know it exists for the 12V motor with the gearbox) Not sure if it works yet or not, but it likely does.
12VDC batteries 880 cca
There's more than enough scrap metal in usable condition available to us as well. Getting things like keyed rods is more tedious, but available.
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I think there was a little confusion (my fault) when I said that everything was 24VDC. We have 12V batteries, but most things run on 24V. Yes, that means almost everything has two batteries wired in series. Since total output voltage =24VDC, most the components such as motors are 24VDC. If there's anything that runs on less voltage, it has to be stepped down at the component.

Our design is looking to incorporate a set of treads (think tanks anyone?)

two large wheels-1 drive, 1 roller
1 small roller wheel between the two which will hopefully be on a strut to move up and down with the terrain

Dimensions:
length of tread with wheels in place: ~32 inches
Height of tread with wheels in place: ~12 inches
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The treads will be the outside of the bot, no outer frame rail if I can help it. I think it will probably be just wider than it is long. We're going to try to build an arm or some sort of manipulator when we finish the drivetrain.
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