Page 192 - Robot Builder's Bonanza

FISCHERTECHNIK 161

Modified motor Removed wheel

Base

Figure 16-1 Robot bases powered by two motors
and wheels on either side may be constructed using
a pair of inexpensive salvaged motorized toys. For
each toy, remove one of the wheels from the motor Figure 16-2 Sampling of parts from a general-
mechanism. purpose Fischertechnik kit.

motor holder. Bend the girder at the ends to create tabs for the machine screws, or use the
angle stock provided in an Erector construction set.
Most Erector vehicles use four wheels, but that wheel arrangement makes it difficult to
steer the robot. Instead, use a two- wheel design like those depicted in Chapter 20, “Moving
Your Robot.” Mount a battery holder on the top of the platform for power.
One method of motorizing a nonmotored Erector set is to rob the motor drives from two
inexpensive powered toy vehicles. These use a single motor to power two wheels; the wheels
are on either side of the motor. To convert these motor drives for use on a robot platform,
remove one wheel from each side of the motor, as shown in Figure 16-1.

• For the right motor, pull off the left wheel.
• For the left motor, pull off the right wheel.

You now have two independent motor drives. Use girders or other parts from the Erector set
to mount the motors to the base.

Fischertechnik

The Fischertechnik kits, made in Germany and imported into North America by a few educa-
tional companies, are the Rolls- Royces of construction toys. Actually, “toy” isn’t the proper
term because the Fischertechnik kits are not just designed for use by small children. In fact,
many of the kits are meant for high school and college industrial engineering students, and
they offer a snap- together approach to making working electromagnetic, hydraulic, pneu-
matic, static, and robotic mechanisms.
All the Fischertechnik parts (see Figure 16-2) are interchangeable and attach to a common
plastic baseplate. You can extend the lengths of the baseplate to just about any size you want,
and the baseplate can serve as the foundation for your robot. You can use the motors supplied
with the kits or use your own motors with the parts provided.

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