Afghanistan robot

[Jon236]

Since the mission of our troops is to protect the civilian population and promote infrastructure building, including schools, why don't we send Mindstorm kits to our people interesting in working with Afghan children. The establishment of FLL teams will also send the message to these children that they are connected with a larger community, a community that shares the desire for their success.

[IBdrummer]

Originally Posted by Jon236

Since the mission of our troops is to protect the civilian population and promote infrastructure building, including schools, why don't we send Mindstorm kits to our people interesting in working with Afghan children. The establishment of FLL teams will also send the message to these children that they are connected with a larger community, a community that shares the desire for their success.

Idk if the military would be the right organization to go through to get that started. They are there to help, but I don't know if they have the ability to interact that much off base.
P.S. The language barrier might make it a bit hard too

[keehun]

Originally Posted by IBdrummer

Idk if the military would be the right organization to go through to get that started. They are there to help, but I don't know if they have the ability to interact that much off base.
P.S. The language barrier might make it a bit hard too

And I would assume the children in a war torn country won't have the luxury of sitting with too much time developing with creativity... Which is very unfortunate.

[Jon236]

These assumptions are not ours to make.....the only relevant question is who has the time to interface with the children....let's find who those folks are and reach out to them....our job is to inspire....when children realize that the world has more to offer them, they will be less likely to become suicide bombers and more likely to become teachers and engineers....the opportunity is now, not later!

[keehun]

Originally Posted by Jon236

These assumptions are not ours to make.....the only relevant question is who has the time to interface with the children....let's find who those folks are and reach out to them....our job is to inspire....when children realize that the world has more to offer them, they will be less likely to become suicide bombers and more likely to become teachers and engineers....the opportunity is now, not later!

Now that is very true. I won't assume that. I guess giving them a sense of inspiration even in middle of a war zone (assuming it is since soldiers are present... unless it's some sort of a long outreach project..?) is a good thing..

[NorviewsVeteran]

I think a good place to start would be to send them a gearbox or two.

[Molten]

Originally Posted by Jon236

These assumptions are not ours to make.....the only relevant question is who has the time to interface with the children....let's find who those folks are and reach out to them....our job is to inspire....when children realize that the world has more to offer them, they will be less likely to become suicide bombers and more likely to become teachers and engineers....the opportunity is now, not later!

I think an engineer is a bigger threat then a suicide bomber. Just be sure that if we taught them to design and build, we also taught them the ethics that go with it.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Molten

I think an engineer is a bigger threat then a suicide bomber. Just be sure that if we taught them to design and build, we also taught them the ethics that go with it.

Now THAT is an assumption, and if you don't mind, a very ignorant one at that. I hope you realize what I'm saying.

Back on topic...

If the soldiers Mr. Linn is in touch with requested components for their project, we should grant them that first. If Mr. Linn can have his contacts find out the proper channels in order to educate the children of where they are stationed, then we can talk about NXTs when that time comes.

[Molten]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

Now THAT is an assumption, and if you don't mind, a very ignorant one at that. I hope you realize what I'm saying.

I apologize to any and all that I might have offended. I really wasn't meaning to generalize. I was just remarking that a kid we teach today, could be an enemy tomorrow. That is where we need to make sure we inspire as well as teach.

Sorry for implications,
Jason

[JesseK]

Something tells me that other troops who see the robot will think "Oh cool, let's go blow some s*** up!". Or, if the robot gets left behind, other troops who come in after the ones who built it will think the same thing.

So if we send them some AM transmissions, let's please remove the AM stickers and labels. I think it'd be very interesting to see just how tough the toughbox and toughbox nanos are though...

[Dick Linn]

Here are some pictures from Camp Leatherneck and the area:

http://www.duggback.com/world_news/C..._Big_Pictures/

Hopefully Nathan will be able to get on this thread and communicate directly. He has what amounts to dial-up access. Plus, he has a job to do keeping the generators going.

[Bob Bonczyk]

Would kit of parts frame material be helpful. We have one maybe two kits still in the box that we could donate to this cause. I don't know if this would be to big to ship over there, If this helps let me know.

[Dick Linn]

He's a generator mechanic, so he has access to various things. He did say he found some treads and chain/sprockets, but I have no idea what they have in mind. Just have to wait and see.

I'm sure that he'll need some speed controllers and a control system. That's not something you find laying around just anywhere.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Dick Linn

He's a generator mechanic, so he has access to various things. He did say he found some treads and chain/sprockets, but I have no idea what they have in mind. Just have to wait and see.

I'm sure that he'll need some speed controllers and a control system. That's not something you find laying around just anywhere.

Control System MIGHT be, I'll look into it. Would the old 883s and an old IFI system work? But depending on what they want to do with it might be worth putting together a custom control system using something a little longer range (Zigbee comes to mind) which could be done cheaper than the IFI system at a cost to the power of it.

Specifics, I am going to guess they would need 2 speed controllers and a full control system including joysticks and radio equipment. Anything else?

Anyway, I'll see if I can find an old control system that would be able to be donated or look into the cost of a custom one. If we can swing a control system I just ask that we get a picture of the finished product (posted on CD would be fine).

[enrgizerbunny]

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.
-----------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------
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.