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Following the second phase of the Modular Arduino Tank project, this third phase adds a projectile firing attachment to the Arduino base. Inspired in part by the internal design of Nerf toys and a similar turret design by LFK, I set out to create my own custom nerf turret attachment from scratch. Let's get started!
Initial Research and Prototyping
Initial Research and Prototyping
Gutting an old Nerf toy
Gutting an old Nerf toy
Since I planned on using Nerf foam darts as my projectiles of choice, I decided to borrow design features and measurements from existing Nerf toy guns. Luckily, I had one lying around from my childhood!
Upon examination, I noticed a couple important elements of the design.
Two flywheels wired in parallel to accelerate the darts
The dimension and distances of the flywheels and barrel
The rod that feeds darts into the flywheels
With these features in mind, I was prepared to begin my own CAD model design
Onshape CAD Modeling
Onshape CAD Modeling
With the Nerf toy measurements in mind, I incorporated those important dimensions into my own design to ensure smooth action of the firing mechanism. I also made sure to design a flywheel motor mount with adjustable tightness.
Fritzing Circuit - Flywheel Control
Fritzing Circuit - Flywheel Control
Designing the nerf turret circuit was relatively similar to the 6-axis arm because it used the same two-Arduino setup with a buck convertor. The main difference is that this circuit needed additional motor control for the flywheels, so I used a transistor.
3D Printed Turret Assembly Test
3D Printed Turret Assembly Test
Basic test of firing mechanism using alligator clips, ESC servo control, and LiPo batteries
View of trigger mechanism
Flywheel motors wired in parallel, plus ceramic capacitors
The Circuit
The Circuit
Not much to write home about this time. The circuit was practically the same as the 6-axis arm circuit (aside from the additional transistor flywheel motor control). After soldering the new PCB board, it was just a matter of taking out the old wiring for the 6-axis arm and adding the new nerf turret connections.
Unfortunately, the wiring is still kind of a mess, so I want to learn to make CNC routed PCBs soon.
Modifying the Code
Modifying the Code
Easier app interface
Easier app interface
The Arduino code remained practically the same as the 6-axis arm code that I originally wrote, so the main thing that I wanted to modify was actually my custom app. Since this turret would be aimed by the user, I wanted to make an easier interface than simple up-down-left-right buttons. Thus, I decided to design a virtual joystick for the user to aim with. Finally, I added a flywheel rev-up button a nice red firing button.
The Big Finale
The Big Finale
Enjoy the full demonstration of my nerf turret tank design!
Enjoy the full demonstration of my nerf turret tank design!
Also, take a look at an article that the official Arduino Team wrote about my project, a reddit post I made for the Arduino community, an Instagram post from the official Arduino Account, and more pictures!
Also, take a look at an article that the official Arduino Team wrote about my project, a reddit post I made for the Arduino community, an Instagram post from the official Arduino Account, and more pictures!
This was a particularly fun phase of my modular Arduino tank project! I'm happy with calling this the last part of the project, but there are always new ways that I can add to my modular Arduino tank and improve upon my existing phases. For example, it would be cool to add some kind of laser and range finder to the nerf turret. Additionally, I hope to add some memory functionality to the 6-axis arm so that it can repeat movements automatically. In the meantime, all the code that I created and used can be found here at my GitHub.Â
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