Tote bot

[dmorewood]

Originally Posted by GreyingJay

And if you read the description carefully it actually does say that the AndyMark ToteBot kit comes with a grey Orbis tote even though it's pictured as yellow.

That is funny, though pricey. I wonder if they'll get any takers!

There out of stock right now so they must be fairly popular.

[Mschmeh144]

Update on the project, we have completed the inner frame. Tested it with 60lbs and the frame has absolutely no sagging. The parts have been chosen, two Andy mark pg27 motors in a staggered configuration, two victor 888, chain drive system, no tension system. Three wheeled design, two drive in the front (tank drive) one office chair swivel wheel in the back. The frame is made of tetrix metal parts.the battery will be mounted in front of the axle, pdp centered above the motors. Low speed gear ratio. Top speed 6-15 mph.

The only problems I have left to solve are finding the correct image for the CRio-II were using, and finding out how to ventilate the systems. And of course, fitting the control system into the box without having to jump on top to smash it in there lol.
I'm going to rig the ventilation to shut off when the flaps are open (safety reasons, dam near got a knuckle torn off by a fan)

Any help at all, would be greatly appreciated I will post a video of the tote bot
Sneaking around the room.

[Mschmeh144]

Update to the project
We have chosen a chain driven mechanism with two Andy mark motors driving them in a tank drive system, with a Omni wheel in the back. Ventilation might be a problem seeing as the tote will be closed. We chose victor motor controllers for the drive motors. Using the old control system will take up a lot of space so space is limited for anything other than the core drive system. Possibly some LED lights or some gizmo to improve the ridiculousness of this robot
I will post a photo tomorrow, as it sits the robot is just the tote, we laid the electronics out in the tote to see if it'll all fit. The wheel slots have been cut out of the tote. The sprockets need to be drilled out to accommodate a screw to connect to the motor shaft. The wheels are the old KOP white high grip small wheels. The Omni has yet to be chosen. The robot shouldn't reach too high of a speed overall. Both wheels will be on the same axle to save space, and each will have its own motor.

[philso]

Originally Posted by Mschmeh144

Ventilation might be a problem seeing as the tote will be closed. We chose victor motor controllers for the drive motors.

Try it without ventilation first. Drive it around for a while then quickly stop it and check the temperature of the Victors. If you cannot hold your fingers on them, they are too hot.

The tote has a fair amount of surface area. Heat will pass through the walls to the outside. The plastic is not going to be a good conductor of the heat but it may be good enough. You may want to install one of the large fans that comes in the KOP to circulate the air inside the tote. The more driving around you do, the more heat the Victors will dissipate. This is offset by the air flowing over the tote as you drive. Some of the smaller AC motor controllers (under 50hp) we sell at work get put into large, totally sealed boxes due to the dusty environment they are being used in. There are formulas for calculating the size of the box needed based on the heat generated by the motor controller, the surface area available to dissipate the heat and the ambient temperature.

[runneals]

Originally Posted by philso

Try it without ventilation first. Drive it around for a while then quickly stop it and check the temperature of the Victors. If you cannot hold your fingers on them, they are too hot.

The tote has a fair amount of surface area. Heat will pass through the walls to the outside. The plastic is not going to be a good conductor of the heat but it may be good enough. You may want to install one of the large fans that comes in the KOP to circulate the air inside the tote. The more driving around you do, the more heat the Victors will dissipate. This is offset by the air flowing over the tote as you drive. Some of the smaller AC motor controllers (under 50hp) we sell at work get put into large, totally sealed boxes due to the dusty environment they are being used in. There are formulas for calculating the size of the box needed based on the heat generated by the motor controller, the surface area available to dissipate the heat and the ambient temperature.

You could always poke a hole in the bottom where stuff won't be seen, and add a fan if needed I suppose.

[philso]

Originally Posted by runneals

You could always poke a hole in the bottom where stuff won't be seen, and add a fan if needed I suppose.

Depending on where the totebot will be driven, it can suck in a lot of dirt.

[Woolly]

Originally Posted by philso

Depending on where the totebot will be driven, it can suck in a lot of dirt.

Well, if it's a 120mm computer fan it probably wouldn't be to difficult to get a washable filter for the intake.

[GreyingJay]

Originally Posted by philso

Depending on where the totebot will be driven, it can suck in a lot of dirt.

Originally Posted by Woolly

Well, if it's a 120mm computer fan it probably wouldn't be to difficult to get a washable filter for the intake.

Maybe the hole at the bottom could be an exhaust, and the air intakes could come from, say, widening the gaps between the lids and the tote at the hinges. I don't have one in front of me but there are certainly places to discreetly drill holes or widen gaps. Totes aren't really airtight.

[philso]

Originally Posted by GreyingJay

Maybe the hole at the bottom could be an exhaust, and the air intakes could come from, say, widening the gaps between the lids and the tote at the hinges. I don't have one in front of me but there are certainly places to discreetly drill holes or widen gaps. Totes aren't really airtight.

Try it without ventilation first. If the components get too hot, Jays suggestion is probably the best option. Filters are an item that must be maintained to be effective. They are not at all effective if they are damaged or are left off.

Maybe you can add a window motor and make the flaps on top open and close for added effect.

[Mschmeh144]

Originally Posted by philso

Try it without ventilation first. If the components get too hot, Jays suggestion is probably the best option. Filters are an item that must be maintained to be effective. They are not at all effective if they are damaged or are left off.

Maybe you can add a window motor and make the flaps on top open and close for added effect.

I will be sure to test it without ventilation first. and the flaps popping open would be hilarious especially if something pops out of the box when they open.

[Mschmeh144]

Originally Posted by philso

Depending on where the totebot will be driven, it can suck in a lot of dirt.

the large fans are very stupid loud, I wouldn't want to put one in a enclosed space like the tote bot, but I would be willing to use several small ones

[philso]

Originally Posted by Mschmeh144

the large fans are very stupid loud, I wouldn't want to put one in a enclosed space like the tote bot, but I would be willing to use several small ones

If you are going to use smaller fans, install them so that they are on opposites sides and cause the air in the tote to circulate. For example, one installed on the right side pushes air toward the front and one on the left pushes air to the rear.

Something popping out could be good, say a small version of your school mascot. Otherwise, maybe you can fit in a small single-shot T-shirt cannon powered with surgical tubing, for simplicity.