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[DPRG] Hardware source for robot frame
Subject: [DPRG] Hardware source for robot frame
From: Chuck McManis
cmcmanis at mcmanis.com
Date: Tue Feb 5 20:59:15 CST 2008
At 10:19 AM 2/5/2008, Ron Davis wrote:
>This is my first from scratch project and so far with the excellent
>help of Dale Wheat I have sourced the servos and the controller. I
>now need to find where I can source the hardware to mount the
>electronics and servos on. ...
>So do I just like wonder around Home Depot or Elliots Hardware for
>hinges and rods and stuff or am I missing something.
The original president of the HBRC, a gentleman by the name of Dick
Prather, used to have a pretty good talk on robot building materials.
Since it was geared more toward robots that needed to carry around an
S-100 machine it was a bit more robust than more modern approaches
(where the Controller weighs ounces versus pounds).
I'll echo the other messages you gotten so far, pretty much anything
is a reasonable place to start and hot glue (of the high temperature
"industrial" variety) is a quick way to get something together.
('cept I always dislike the "spider web" effect)
Another member of the HBRC came up with a pretty simple scheme which
involved using aluminum channel available from Home Depot, Lowes, and
elsewhere. Basically the idea was to use two interlocking channels.
The other component was something called "threadserts" which are
metal devices that you can put through a hole and crimp (like a
rivet) and they leave behind a threaded hole. Using 10-32 threadserts
one can make a sort of custom erector set which easily makes boxes,
frames, and other structures. You can use U-bolts to connect axles to
the channel. And you can mount PC boards right to the frame, or
using a piece of plywood across the frame you will create other
mounting surfaces.
The only tools you really need are a hacksaw, a drill, the threadsert
tool, and a ruler. You can build pretty much anything from a sumo
robot to a geo-rover. And if you're using threadserts and #10 bolts
you can assemble and disassmble them easily.
--Chuck
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