Page 143 - Build Your Own Combat Robot

Build Your Own Combat Robot
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Planetary and Harmonic speed reducers are the most expensive forms of a gear-
box. For low- to medium-power robots, one of the most cost-effective methods of
obtaining a planetary gearhead is to pull one out of a cordless drill. But when do-
ing this, you will have to build a special mount for the gearmotor because these
motors are not designed to be stand-alone gearmotors.
When building combat robots, it is generally a good idea to start with motors or
gearmotors and use a chain or belt drive system to increase or decrease the output
shaft speed of the motor/gearmotor to drive the robot’s wheels, than to design a
custom gearbox. If you plan to use a commercially available high-powered electric
motor, look for electric motors that use NEMA face and frame mounting methods
so that standard gearboxes can be used with them. With a good power transmission,
your robot should have all the speed and pushing force it should need in a contest.