30lb Fighting Robot-Nyx

Step 4 Day 4, drive system install

First, the dewalt powerdrive kits were bolted to the baseplate. I'm using the optional motor retainer kit with the stock steel threaded rod replaced with aluminum for a 3.6oz weight savings. After that, the outer side rails were bolted to the frame. 1/2" shoulder bolts were added with the threaded end on the outside of the outer wheel guards. Once they were added, measurements were taking to figure out how many washers needed to be added. The outer wheel guards were removed, allowing for the addition of washers, wheels and the drive shaft, which itself had washers, shaft collars and keyed sprockets on it. Once all of this was added the outer panel was reattached. The weapon motor shaft goes into an aluminum pillowblock made from scrap, the exact design will be up to you if you replicate it, the only important part is the bushing or bearing used in it must be 1" above the baseplate.

The next step was measuring and cutting the chain. First I aligned all of the sprockets with the wheels and weapon, then I took the length of roller chain I had and wrapped it around the section to determine where I needed to break it. Once the chain was broken at the proper length, I wrapped it back around and added the master links. At this point, the mechanical assembly is complete.