Afghanistan robot

[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.

[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.

[enrgizerbunny]

Greetings! I am the said deployed Marine of this thread.

I'm not asking for a kit or anything major, just looking for some electronics that I won't be able to find out here. We haven't decided exactly what this bot is going to do, but we're going to start with making a drive train, tread driven(that's all we have currently). Haven't figured out motors yet, there's some winch motors which I'm sure would have ample torque for the task, I'm still searching for a wiper motor (looks like the window motor with a worm gear in the FIRST kits). I found a gearbox witha 1.84 ratio, don't know what it went to, but it had chain and sprockets attached. I'm hoping they throw another one away soon. There isn't much to choose from, but I think I've got most the hardware that is required already out here. We're still seeing if we can get enough scrap together to make this hunk of junk (literally) come together and work. It's 4:15 am here, I'll be busy for the next couple weeks, so I've got a kink in the project for a little bit. There are issues that I need to work out too, most things around here are 24VDC, not 12 since that's what all the vehicles batteries are, so I've gotta make sure all that will work too.

I'm looking for a controller (an old IFI controller would be a godsend),two joysticks and couple speed controllers, a copy of the software to program said controller, and any ideas on making the latter work with Windows 7. I don't want to ask for much, but my preference would be one that is programmed in C. If not, I can figure it out. I'm still figuring out a couple things like circuit breakers, etc. I figure I might order some from radio shack or online.

Oh, of course there will be picture of the finished product, probably video, and I wouldn't doubt there will be at least one case of an out of control, stuck in autonomous, HOLY-CRAP-CUT-THE-POWER-IT'S-GONNA-KILL-SOMEBODY robot.


It took me an entire hour to register, confirm and get the link for the picture on my sig from another forum I'm on. I haven't been on a connection this slow since the 20th century, haha.

[enrgizerbunny]

Oops double posted somehow. But I figured I would add that this is a purely recreational thing to occupy time when there's nothing to do (happens more than you think). So ranges and things would be well, about as far as a regulation FIRST playing field is more than enough.

[Andrew Schreiber]

I'll see what I can find as far as controllers/oi/speed controllers/breaker panels go.

[Paul Rodi]

Nathan,

I hope your doing well. This seems like a really good idea.

If you need help with programming or teaching it to the students over there just contact me by email (rodipj@vcu.edu) or by my aim. I'll walk you through it and give you some demo codes. I'll also try to get you a copy of the software which I should have lying around.

As for a microcontroller, I think Mr. C has given most of ours to other teams. I'll keep an eye out for one and try to figure out if anyone that I know around Richmond has any extra.

Keep me posted about what's going on with this.

Thanks,
Paul Rodi

[Kingofl337]

I'm pretty sure they will need 883's for the speed controllers as they will take 24v if you change the fan. The RC / OI will need a voltage regulator to drop the 24v to 12v. So, a LM7812 that can handle 1-2A should do it.

[EricVanWyk]

Originally Posted by Kingofl337

I'm pretty sure they will need 883's for the speed controllers as they will take 24v if you change the fan. The RC / OI will need a voltage regulator to drop the 24v to 12v. So, a LM7812 that can handle 1-2A should do it.

Apparently the Black Jaguars can do 24V too, but they aren't for sale yet.


EDIT: I just finished checking, it would only take a couple of hours to make a PD 24V compliant. We could get a 2009/2010 control system running at 24V pretty easily, with the right modifications.

[MarioGal56]

Nathaaaaan
tis my brother, You can send toiletries and stuff to him. Im pretty sure you can send just about anything to him except Purel Hand sanitizer (apparently its alcohol content is too high haha) So sending robot part would confuse people, but it should be allowed. If you are interested in sending him or the marines he's stationed with supplies email me at Katwaters91@yahoo.com

Other than gearboxes he wants: Candy, (chocolate isnt the greatest idea due to the temperatures), games, and anything to prevent boredom.

-Mario

[MrHance]

As a Engineer that has recently spent two year at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan. This is the main Air Force Base north of Kabul (the capital city). They have a military robotics operations there. As far as individuals making robots, I do not think this would be a good idea unless it was properly supervised to insure that no ideas or drawing or components got into the hands of the people that are using IED (Improvides Explosive Devices) to kill or injure the military soldiers trying to free the Afghanistan Nation from the Taliban or Al-Quida. These people are vey resourceful in items that they use. They could use robots to carry explosives into and maybe thru the barriers the protect the forces over there. You may think that I maybe paranoid, but I have seen many thing while over there. I do hop that one day we can have robotic teams from Afghanistan and other countries from the middle east perticapating in FIRST.

[MarioGal56]

Dream crusher

[Dick Linn]

Nathan is in a 443 acre camp in a 3 square mile secure area out in the middle of the "Desert of Death". There are thousands of Marines there, probably more than a few big mean ones. I think it is a pretty secure facility.

Hey there, Mario Gal! You doing OK? Nathan did get to hang out here at the house a couple times before he left.

[Molten]

Originally Posted by Dick Linn

I think it is a pretty secure facility.

History tells us that nothing is really secure.

[Dick Linn]

Originally Posted by Molten

History tells us that nothing is really secure.

Yes. I appreciate that more than most. Read my signature line carefully.