Page 7 - Build Your Own Combat Robot

Build Your Own Combat Robot
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4 Motor Selection and Performance 61
Electric Motor Basics, 62
Determining the Motor Constants, 67
Power and Heat, 68
High-Performance Motors, 73
Motor Sources, 74
Internal Combustion Engines, 76
Conclusion, 77
5 It’s All About Power 79
Battery Power Requirements, 80
Measuring Current Draw from the Battery, 80
Battery Capacity Basics, 83
Preventing Early Battery Death, 84
Sizing for a 6-Minute Run Time, 85
Comparing SLA, NiCad, and NiMH Run-Time Capacities, 86
Electrical Wiring Requirements, 91
Battery Types, 92
Sealed Lead Acid, 93
Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), 95
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), 97
Alkaline, 98
Lithium Ion, 99
Installing the Batteries: Accessible vs. Nonaccessible, 100
6 Power Transmission: Getting Power to Your Wheels 103
Power Transmission Basics, 106
Torque, 109
Force, 109
Location of the Locomotion Components, 112
Mounting the Motors, 112
Thermal Considerations for the Motor, 113
Methods of Power Transmission, 114
Chain Drive Systems, 115
Buying the Chain, 115
Chain Sprockets, 117
Belt Drive Systems, 118
Flat Belts, 118
Synchronous Belts, 119
V-Belts, 121
Gearboxes, 122
Mounting Gear Assemblies, 122
Securing Gears to Shafts, 122
7 Controlling Your Motors 127
Relay Control, 128
Poles and Throws, 128