So... This is my second version of my antweight combat robot! I'd like to introduce you to "Sidewinder."

For this project I used 3D printed parts (designed by me) and some electronic bits and pieces I bought for under $100. I used a CAD software called Tinkercad to design custom parts for the bot.

Supplies

For this project you will need:

Laptop running macOS, Linux, or Windows

3D printer

electronic parts (more details in instructions

Step 1: Come Up With Idea

This step is the most important of all the steps!

Before you even start designing your bot, you must come up with a general idea of how the mechanism of the combat robot will work. In this case, Sidewinder is what's called a "ring spinner." A ring spinner has a separate ring that rotates around the outside of the chassis of the robot. The ring is usually powered by a gear system (seen in image.)

This is only one of many mechanisms you can use! There are shell spinners, hammer bots, and melty brains. (don't try melty brains unless you have a lot of programming experience and patience)

Step 2: Designing

Patience, patience, patience... Thats what it's all about!

Depending on what type of bot you're making, this step will vary. If you are planning on entering your combat robot in a competition, you need to pay attention to how much your design will weigh. You will want to do some research on combat robot rules if you are wanting to enter your bot.

http://www.nerc.us/rules.html

Step 3: Fabrication

For this step I used my 3D printer to create all of the parts. If you do not have a 3D printer, I would recommend using wood, bending plastic, or cutting scrap pieces of metal.

This step may take a little while if your whole bot is 3D printed. My bot took about twelve hours in all!

Make sure that your layer lines on the print are all even and don't have gaps or anything. Remember, this is a combat robot, not a shelf toy.

Step 4: Fitting Your Electronics

For this step, you might need to spend a bit of money.

On Sidewinder I had to buy a brushless motor, two micro brushed motors, one brushless ESC, one brushed ESC, 3 channel receiver, LiPo battery, and a transmitter. In total I spent around $100 which isn't that bad for a combat robot!

Step 5: Testing

Well, at this point you should have a working bot!

One of the most important things to do before you enter into a competition is testing. The video link above is of my earlier combat robot called Gearhead. (Gearhead is a shell spinner)