Fun Personal Project

[vivek16]

How low end of costs?

I personally think it would be awesome to build a 4wd bot with a 3 ft arm and a 2'x2' foot print that can pick up pop cans and stuff like that.

what kind of thing exactly do you want to build? something that is inanimate or something like a robot that moves (autonomous or teleo?)

-Vivek

[Caio]

I'd be interested in something that moves, preferably controlled (go to Goodwill and buy a cheap RC car and takes its radio)

I'm really open to anything right now. I designed a robot that would pick up tennis balls (with a little forklift) but idk, I guess I was looking for something different than that...

maybe an all terrain RC car... like a big one

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by Caio

maybe an all terrain RC car... like a big one

That sounds like it'd be a good project, maybe give it an all-independent multi-link suspension, and run the wheels off of one or two two-stroke chainsaw motors in a four-wheel drive system... That would probably be more of a design challenge than a machining one (well, I think it'd be both, but the design would be harder), but it would both sound and look really cool. Cost wouldn't be too bad, I'd think. The steel/aluminum rods for the suspension could be probably be found in a junkyard or manufacturer's scrap bin. If you found a lot of it, you could make the frame out of the same material as the suspension. You could also probably get the chainsaw(s) cheaply off of Craigslist or something similar. I suspect the differentials and control system would be the most expensive parts.

[Caio]

hmmm.... that could very well work.

I honestly didn't know what a differential was, then I looked on howstuffworks thats really interesting, but I'm wondering if its really necessary. I'm not thinking of building something I can personally write in, but drive around... like a little bigger than a FRC bot... would you need a differential for that?

[vivek16]

rail gun?

I did not know what a differential was either. you wouldnt need one if you had tank steer and not skid steer.

[Caio]

true, and with all things considered, wouldn't a tank drive be better for an all terrain vehicle? So you don't have to keep backing up and all...

oh well, I'll start designing one and depending on how I feel I'll either make it ackermann steering or tank... we'll see

and since i live off campus, it'd be interesting to have me carry home my rail gun on the bus <_< I smell criminal charges all over that...

Dude, make a longboard. Like, from the ground up. I'm talking designing your own trucks, deck, and so on. It'd be a fun build, and would also be very fun to ride. The trucks would need tight tolerances if you build precision ones (trucks with a spherical bearing), so that would satisfy one of your requirements...

Here's a picture of an aluminum longboard that's already on the market:



Also, feel free to PM me if you have any questions about what goes into one of those boards, as I make similar ones as a hobby/ side job.

[Lil' Lavery]

Build a custom NERF gun, completely from scratch. It can be done really low cost (almost entirely from PVC) or a much more precisely/advanced from a variety of other materials. I even know where you can find plans for one if you aren't comfortable making them yourself or wish to try a proven method first.

[artdutra04]

Build a 15lb Mini Class BattleBot.

[i_am_samus]

Build something that may come in use for yourself. Like the tennis ball thing you mentioned, if you're a tennis player, that will come in handy.

So I would find something that gives you grief everytime you have to do it...then build a robot that does it for you instead.

[DonRotolo]

A steam engine is always a fascinating machining project. Or a small gasoline engine.

Or, maybe solve a problem with a robot and unintentionally get yourself rich. Like a Roomba - oh, that's already taken.

How about a robot that autonomously screws down Trex-like deck boards? A contractor would happily pay $1500 for such an item - dump in a pile of screws, set out the boards, plug it in and walk away... It could be plenty slow.

A robot that installs asphalt roof shingles? Autonomously?

A snow plowing robot? Even R/C, but from the comfort of a warm, dry house.

A fully autonomous dog for the yard?



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[Boydean]

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

A robot that installs asphalt roof shingles? Autonomously?

I have actually thought about that before, when I had to replace a roof in the middle of the summer......In SOUTH CAROLINA!

On another note, I have always had the fascination with mowing bots, just how the software would work.