Introduction: 3D Printed Arduino FPV RC Tracked Car With Controller

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This is an excellent project that combine the knowledge of 3D printing, Arduino, and FPV (First Person View) camera. It is a great beginners project for anyone interested in making their own RC tracked car, or just want to use 3D printing, Arduino, and FPV for their own creations. Basically, it is a little exploration rover. Step by step video guides of making this project is provided.

Step 1: Supplies

Electronic components needed for the 3D printed Arduino FPV RC Tracked car:

Electronic components needed for the controller:

Electronic components needed for the FPV setup:

Obviously, You will need a 3D printer or access to 3D printer to print these part. I can recommend the 3D printer that I use, this one is a real workhorse: https://www.flashforge.com/product-detail/4

Tools you might need: soldering iron, zip tie, pliers, and screwdriver

Step 2: Print 3D Printed Parts

List of parts needed to be printed for the tracked car:

  • 1 x Top Chassis
  • 1 x Bottom Chassis
  • 1 x Radio Cover
  • 1 x Top FPV Case
  • 1 x Bottom FPV Case
  • 2 x Track or Track (flat)
  • 2 x Drive Gear
  • 2 x Chain Gear
  • 4 x Roller

List of parts needed to be printed for the controller:

  • 1 x RC Controller Top Case
  • 1 x RC Controller Bottom Case
  • 2 x Potentiometer Cover

When printing the FPV cases, the material has to be ABS do not use PLA, because when the FPV camera is on it will heat up (yes that is normal). The temperature is high enough to warp PLA. Only ABS has the temperature stability to handle it. Use the material PLA for the rest of the prints.

When printing the Track or Track (flat) make sure to orientate the part so the hinges are facing up (check the picture above) and print it without support. Once the part is printed and removed from the 3D printer, apply some force to loosen the hinges. If you have trouble printing the Track I have the individual chain of the track available for download as well. Remember there are 20 chains for one track and it is designed to be printed in one print. Do not print individual chains and try to assemble them because it is not going to work. Please make adjustments in a CAD program like Fusion360 then print it.

The RC Controller Top Case and RC Controller Bottom Case can be printed on a 45 degree angle (check the picture above). Support structure is needed for both prints.

Also, Support structure is needed for Top Chassis and Bottom Chassis. The rest of the prints should not need support when correctly orientated.

Attachments

Step 3: Making the Controller

The video is a step by step guide to assemble and wire the controller. Keep in mind it is a guide, you can switch up the order of assembly if you want.

Once you made the controller you might realize the potentiometer did not get utilize. This is because I use the same controller for my RC airboat project. The controller is very versatile if you know how to program this controller could control your future RC projects.

Link to Arduino IDE: https://www.arduino.cc/en/main/software

Before you upload the code you need to download the RF24 library in order to use the NRF24L01 radio module: https://github.com/nRF24/RF24

General guide for installing libraries to Arduino IDE: https://www.arduino.cc/en/guide/libraries

P.S. sorry about the lightning in the videos I am still working on my filming skills

Attachments

Step 4: Making the Tracked Car

The video is a step by step guide to assemble and wire the Tracked Car. Again keep in mind it is a guide, you can switch up the order of assembly if you want.

Attachments

Step 5: FPV Setup

As mentioned in the video there are many to do a FPV setup. You can use a FPV goggle, FPV monitor, or get a receiver and connect to your phone or computer. I use a receiver and connect it to my laptop. I did this because is cost effective and i can record FPV footage in OBS.

Link to OBS: https://obsproject.com/

Step 6: Play!

There you go, now you know how to make a little exploration rover. Now go explore your backyard or a park, Hope you learn something and have fun!

Please like and subscribe my videos I am building a youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFj6tFPxIVaNm1r6XVLfvkQ

Feel free to ask any questions about the project

Make it Move Contest 2020

Second Prize in the
Make it Move Contest 2020