Page 191 - Robot Builder's Bonanza

Chapter 16

Constructing High- Tech

Robots from Toys

eady- made toys can be used as the basis for surprisingly complex homebrew hobby
R robots. Snap or screw- together kits, such as the venerable Erector or Meccano set, let
you use premachined parts for your own creations. Not to mention that the toy industry is
robot crazy, and you can buy a basic motorized or unmotorized robot for parts, building on it
and adding sophistication and features.
Some kits, like LEGO and K’NEX, are even designed to create futuristic motorized robots
and vehicles. You can use the parts in the kits as is or cannibalize them. Because the parts
already come in the shape you need, the construction of your own robots is greatly simplified.
Let’s take a closer look at using toys in your robot designs in this chapter and examine
several simple, cost- effective designs using readily available toy construction kits.

Erector Sets

(Note: Everything in this section also applies to the Meccano brand and similar beams- and- girders
construction sets sold by others.)
Several Erector sets come with wheels, construction beams, and other assorted parts that
you can use to construct a robot base. Motors are typically not included in these kits, but you
can readily supply your own.

I’ve found the general- purpose sets to be the best bets. Among the useful components of the kits
G are prepunched metal girders, plastic and metal plates, tires, wheels, shafts, and plastic
mounting panels. You can use any as you see fit, assembling your robots with the hardware
supplied with the kit or with your own 4-40 or 6-32 machine screws and nuts.

The prepunched metal girders included in the typical Erector set make excellent motor
mounts. They are lightweight enough that they can be bent, using a vise, into a U- shaped
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