Page 342 - Robot Builder's Bonanza

BUILDING TANK- STYLE ROBOTS 311

tanks offer easier hacking, where you can simply remove the turret and top of the vehicle, and
replace the electronics with your own microcontroller and H- bridge. For these, you don’t need
to build a body for your robot, as you have one ready- made in the toy itself.
G A good source for smaller rubber treads is LEGO Technic sets. The sets come with suitable
sprockets that are made to engage with the teeth on the inside of the treads.

USING THE TAMIYA TRACK AND WHEEL SET
A commonly used track for robots is made by Tamiya and sold by itself as Tamiya Track and
Wheel Set (item #70100). A number of online sources, such as Tower Hobbies and Hobby-
linc, offer this set (see Appendix B, “Internet Parts Sources”). The track is also included in a
few other Tamiya products, as the Tamiya Tracked Vehicle Chassis Kit and the Tamiya Remote
Control Bulldozer Kit. These also come with motors.
The Tamiya track is rubber and comes in segments of various lengths. You put the seg-
ments together to build a track. Sprocket and idler rollers are included (see Figure 26- 15). Pick
out the parts you need. The segments connect using a little nub on the edges of the track.
Despite how it sounds— or even looks— the tracks are fairly robust and seldom break apart
unless forced.

G In a pinch, you can glue the pieces together with a flexible adhesive, such as silicone caulk.
Make sure the adhesive doesn’t seep into the part of the track that engages with the sprocket
and that the seam is smooth.
Build an All- Purpose Tracked Robot Base
You can construct a practical and sturdy tracked robot base using two motors (DC gear or R/C
servo) and a Tamiya Track and Wheel Set (#70100). The finished base is shown in Figure 26- 16.
Ideal construction materials are 1/4″ aircraft- grade birch plywood or 6mm expanded PVC.

Figure 26- 15 Tamiya Track and Wheel Set, Figure 26- 16 The All- Purpose Tracked Robot Base,
showing both plastic parts and rubber tread. You using a couple of Tamiya gear motor kits and a Tamiya
connect the tread in various lengths to suit the size of Track and Wheel Set. Construction is easy, and the
your robot. whole thing costs under $25.

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