Page 22 - Amphibionics : Build Your Own Biologically Inspired Robot

Amphibionics 01 3/24/03 8:01 AM Page 1
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Tools, Test

Equipment, and

Materials

During the mechanical construction phase of building the robots
in this book, a number of tools will be required. You will need a
workbench or sturdy table in an area with good lighting. Try to
keep your work area clean and free of clutter.

The first tool that will be used is the hacksaw. The hacksaw is
designed to cut metal and hard plastics. When using the hacksaw
to make straight cuts, it is a good idea to use a miter box. Figure
1.1 shows the hacksaw (labeled L) and the miter box (K).

If you have a little extra money and think that you will be building
a lot of robots, then you really need a band saw fitted with a metal
cutting blade. The band saw shown in Figure 1.2 is 9 inches, mean-
ing that the saw can cut pieces up to a maximum length of 9 inch-
es. This is perfect for building smaller robots, like the ones detailed
in this book. With the metal cutting band saw, pieces of aluminum
can be cut fast and with greater accuracy than a hacksaw.

An important piece of equipment that will be needed in your work-
shop is a vise, like the one shown in Figure 1.3. The vise will be
needed quite often when cutting, drilling, and bending aluminum.
Always clamp metal pieces tightly in the vise when working on

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