A combat robot
The goal of this project is to have a student design and manufacture their own Dueling Robot for the 3 lbs weight class (otherwise known as a beetleweight). The design process will show case the individual’s creativity and ingenuity to design, engineer, manufacture, and problem solve a product using concepts learned while attending college. This process will encompass the entirety of senior year with design in the Fall, manufacturing in Winter quarter, and concluding with testing in Spring. The student will use the facilities provided on campus to manufacture and test the robot.
The robot will be constructed with the intended purpose to compete in a combat robotics competition in the Spring of the students senior year. The results of the contest will not effect the students ending grade for the project, but simply poses as another test for the robot and acts as a proof of concept that the design chosen can be competitive in a real world application.
Figure 1H - Fall quarter final presentation
Figure 2H - Winter quarter working device final presentation
Figure 3H - Spring quarter final presentation
Figure 4H - SOLIDWORKS Assembly of all of the student manufactured parts.
Figure 5H - Concept design sketch
Three tests were performed during Spring quarter to ensure that the robot met crucial requirements. The three tests chosen for this check in were the deflection test, tensile test, and a speed test. The deflection and tensile tests focused on the chassis material and guaranteeing that it met the theoretical values for its strength, durability, and flexibility. The speed test was utilized to make sure that the robot maintained a competitive speed at the maximum weight potential for this robot. Figures 5H-7H are tables of the pertinent data from each test.
These deflection and tensile tests are not representative of if the project was a success or not, but they did contribute into that factor. Since this is a battle robot, if the chassis or arm was easily breakable that would make for a very poor design and material choice for this project. Ensuring that the material is sufficiently strong leads into if this robot would be competitive in the battle arena.
The speed test on the other hand was very representative on if this project was a success or not since this not only checks that the robot had a competitive speed, but that it also can turn, is balanced, and that all the wiring and motors are properly connected. This test also checks the battery drain the drive train has on the on-board battery.
Figure 6H - The results of each trial for the deflection test
Figure 7H - The results for each trail for the tensile test
Figure 8H - the results from each trail for the speed test
Figure 9H - Video footage from the robot battle competition this robot was entered in.