VersaRunner

[Mr. Rip]

Texas Torque employs lots of VEXpro items but until recently had no formal program for training our new members in their use. Our team president suggested we design an activity that incorporates not only the VEXpro parts we employ the most but also requires the use of our machining capabilities.

We call the project the VersaRunner, though VersaWalker might be more appropriate given its lack of speed. It is made up of over twenty VEX parts, including the following: 2-stage VersaPlanetary Gearbox with a BAG motor, a section of 1" x 2" VersaFrame, two 3.25" VersaWheels DT, and two VersaBlocks.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3t...ew?usp=sharing

The SolidWorks files for the project are available at this GrabCAD link.

You can also find the files, plus future updates, on our team website at http://www.texastorque.org/versarunner

Mr. Rip

[marshall]

Originally Posted by Mr. Rip

Texas Torque employs lots of VEXpro items but until recently had no formal program for training our new members in their use. Our team president suggested we design an activity that incorporates not only the VEXpro parts we employ the most but also requires the use of our machining capabilities.

We call the project the VersaRunner, though VersaWalker might be more appropriate given its lack of speed. It is made up of over twenty VEX parts, including the following: 2-stage VersaPlanetary Gearbox with a BAG motor, a section of 1" x 2" VersaFrame, two 3.25" VersaWheels DT, and two VersaBlocks.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3t...ew?usp=sharing

The SolidWorks files for the project are available at this GrabCAD link.

You can also find the files, plus future updates, on our team website at http://www.texastorque.org/versarunner

Mr. Rip

What are the funny zip-tie things?

[bobbysq]

Originally Posted by marshall

What are the funny zip-tie things?

I believe those are VEX EDR battery straps.

[marshall]

Originally Posted by bobbysq

I believe those are VEX EDR battery straps.

Cool... did not know those were a thing until now. I need to spend more time ogling the VEX EDR parts.

[ctt956]

Interesting! Is that a 7.2 volt battery? How does the back part move? Is there a wheel not visible in the picture, or do the drive wheels just drag that part?

[Mr. Rip]

Originally Posted by ctt956

Interesting! Is that a 7.2 volt battery? How does the back part move? Is there a wheel not visible in the picture, or do the drive wheels just drag that part?

It is a VEX EDR 7.2 volt battery. We had some laying around. We use Anderson Powerpole connectors on everything.

We have a sponsor for plastics and use lots of 1/4" polycarbonate. There is a small polycarbonate skid, like a taildragger airplane, attached to the bottom at the back end. It would work just fine without the skid, but the rookies learn to use our table router while making this part.

[nuclearnerd]

This is really cool!

You posted a teaser photo earlier this summer, and it inspired our team to design something similar. We set the students off this month building 4wd "dragsters", and they're about half way done. Like your versarunners, the dragsters give students experience with measuring, cutting and riveting versaframe, grinding/milling shafts, drilling accurate holes, using the jig saw and drill, assembling, soldering, crimping, and programming. Our design is a bit unique, in that we tried to keep the unit cost under $20 so that we could build 8-10 at once, so that most students would have hands-on experience. As a result much of the mechanical and electronical parts are sourced from AliExpress, which makes programming a slightly bigger challenge.

We're aiming to race them in two weeks - I hope to post completed photos and design documents afterwards. Thanks again for the inspiration!

[Mr. Rip]

Originally Posted by nuclearnerd

Our design is a bit unique, in that we tried to keep the unit cost under $20 so that we could build 8-10 at once, so that most students would have hands-on experience.

Cool! I wish ours were cheap enough that students could customize their builds and keep them, but our goal was to include the experience with all the VEXpro parts.

[PVCMike]

Originally Posted by Mr. Rip

Cool! I wish ours were cheap enough that students could customize their builds and keep them, but our goal was to include the experience with all the VEXpro parts.

Very cool project. Great for rookie training. What does one VersaRunner end up costing?

We might "pirate" this idea for our rookie training next year. We've been using standard VEX parts with our own "soccer" game. Its fun but does not include the machining aspect which is definitely important.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by nuclearnerd

This is really cool!

You posted a teaser photo earlier this summer, and it inspired our team to design something similar. We set the students off this month building 4wd "dragsters", and they're about half way done. Like your versarunners, the dragsters give students experience with measuring, cutting and riveting versaframe, grinding/milling shafts, drilling accurate holes, using the jig saw and drill, assembling, soldering, crimping, and programming. Our design is a bit unique, in that we tried to keep the unit cost under $20 so that we could build 8-10 at once, so that most students would have hands-on experience. As a result much of the mechanical and electronical parts are sourced from AliExpress, which makes programming a slightly bigger challenge.

We're aiming to race them in two weeks - I hope to post completed photos and design documents afterwards. Thanks again for the inspiration!

You have my interest... got a more detailed parts list?

[nuclearnerd]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

You have my interest... got a more detailed parts list?

I think the total cost went over our $20 by a bit, but I haven't done the final accounting. Will post the design and parts list in its own thread in a few weeks.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by nuclearnerd

I think the total cost went over our $20 by a bit, but I haven't done the final accounting. Will post the design and parts list in its own thread in a few weeks.

What are the wheels?

[nuclearnerd]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

What are the wheels?

You can PM me more detail questions. I don't want to take over Mr. Rip's thread.

[Mr. Rip]

Originally Posted by PVCMike

Very cool project. Great for rookie training. What does one VersaRunner end up costing?

We might "pirate" this idea for our rookie training next year. We've been using standard VEX parts with our own "soccer" game. Its fun but does not include the machining aspect which is definitely important.

We just use spare parts we already have on hand, so no additional cost to the team. The VersaRunners are taken apart toward the end of our off-season.