My Old Landy
Engineering Mayhem
- Messages
- 2,964
- Location
- North Lincs
Introducing the Robot Tank kit build!
The kit:
It is really a comprehensive kit. It comes with tools but in my opinion does require either sockets or spanners in 6, 7 & 8mm.
The parts are well labelled and the instructions say which ones are required where.
I will say however, you need to read the build instructions all the way through before committing to the build. I did not and made assumptions which required rebuilding when I got further down
It was a lot easier for me to use this T handle as I struggle with grip.
If you have either grip or strength issues, please don’t be put off trying to build a kit like this. It took me three days to get it together but if you take your time and do a bit at a time, it will happen. My advice is to keep using your fingers until they no longer function, regardless of pain. Use it or lose it is so apt!!
Anyway, one modification I did, was to add spacers in the form of nuts to the underside of the top frame. They are present on the bottom but if you don’t add them, the unit will not sit flat.
The tracks were next and I struggled with these. My advice is yet again, take your time and read the instructions thoroughly
The next step is to populate the top acrylic plate and also the LED matrix plate.
Once all the subsystems are put together, you are nearly ready for final assembly!
The acrylic plate bolts to the main frame and the boards are pressed on.
The wiring is simple but this is where the instructions are not so good. You MUST read to the end and then the routing and wiring is simple. Otherwise, like me, you will have to take it apart and do it again. Note you have to wire the motors and battery up before adding the top shield as you have no access to the terminal screws.
The robot tank sort of lives
The code is broken down into 15 lessons which allows you to see how it works and alter it yourself. The LED hanging out the back is for commissioning and helps to test the modules.
It was a fun build and the coding is easy enough if you go through the lessons (I have prior knowledge but I did it anyway to see if it would be good for others!)
Note the last lesson will only work if you download the app. I tried but it did not work on my device. I have decided to alter it to work with a PS3 controller for a bit of fun.
The kit:
It is really a comprehensive kit. It comes with tools but in my opinion does require either sockets or spanners in 6, 7 & 8mm.
The parts are well labelled and the instructions say which ones are required where.
I will say however, you need to read the build instructions all the way through before committing to the build. I did not and made assumptions which required rebuilding when I got further down
It was a lot easier for me to use this T handle as I struggle with grip.
If you have either grip or strength issues, please don’t be put off trying to build a kit like this. It took me three days to get it together but if you take your time and do a bit at a time, it will happen. My advice is to keep using your fingers until they no longer function, regardless of pain. Use it or lose it is so apt!!
Anyway, one modification I did, was to add spacers in the form of nuts to the underside of the top frame. They are present on the bottom but if you don’t add them, the unit will not sit flat.
The tracks were next and I struggled with these. My advice is yet again, take your time and read the instructions thoroughly
The next step is to populate the top acrylic plate and also the LED matrix plate.
Once all the subsystems are put together, you are nearly ready for final assembly!
The acrylic plate bolts to the main frame and the boards are pressed on.
The wiring is simple but this is where the instructions are not so good. You MUST read to the end and then the routing and wiring is simple. Otherwise, like me, you will have to take it apart and do it again. Note you have to wire the motors and battery up before adding the top shield as you have no access to the terminal screws.
The robot tank sort of lives
The code is broken down into 15 lessons which allows you to see how it works and alter it yourself. The LED hanging out the back is for commissioning and helps to test the modules.
It was a fun build and the coding is easy enough if you go through the lessons (I have prior knowledge but I did it anyway to see if it would be good for others!)
Note the last lesson will only work if you download the app. I tried but it did not work on my device. I have decided to alter it to work with a PS3 controller for a bit of fun.