Peter Wallers Robot Ramblings

[peterwaller]

Just been watching some of the video of Basingstoke and realised how well the rubber strip on the underside of dominant worked.
I put a soft rubber strip along the back of Dominant so if someone got under the front it would grip on the arena floor and stop me being pushed out.
Here is a picture:

And here it is in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLdi_BZ ... y3Gm6pHhhw

[AntRoboteer]

Wow, what a fantastic idea! I have never thought of something like that; especially impressive against White!

[Hogi]

interesting. i might do something similar with transit ant and hogi

[playzooki]

good idea, may use that on one of my robots, probably the lifter im making

[Hogi]

transit ant now has a piece of rubber. i've also put those cricket bat handle tyres on it. it's really fast and grippy now. congratulations Peter, you have inspired yet another young roboteer.

[peterwaller]

Owing more of its heritage to Anticyclone than previous versions of Combatant the new spinner is starting to come together.
Using a smaller diameter longer motor has allowed me to shrink down the width and length although it is now deeper.
The main change a front scoop below the blade.
I am hoping the new Combatant will retain the stability and controllability of Anticyclone which will continue in the team.

[Rapidrory]

You should call it Anticycloneclone instead

[AntRoboteer]

Looks fantastic! I'm glad Anticyclone is still in the team though; I really like Anticyclone's design and just the way it looks and runs. The blade looks pretty long - are you planning to shape it like Anticyclone's or keep it as a bar?

[Hogi]

nice! good to see a new combatant. how long until we see a new mutant too?

[peterwaller]

Very good Rory but the team has been missing a Combatant for too long.
The blade is a thinner one than Anticyclone designed for cutting rather than bashing so it will be shaped accordingly.
I think two spinners in the team will be enough at least for now.

[peterwaller]

Finished off Combant.
Now sporting 1.5 mm thick polycarb armour around all but the rear.

[peterwaller]

Just been moulding some tyres for one of my minisumo's and come across a problem.
Due to a combination of these silicone tyres not adhering to the wheels, trying to use a really soft rubber and the increase in weight (500gms) and drive power the tyres keep coming off in tight turns.
I have just produced a new wheel with bars between the rims that the rubber can get behind and infact totally encase them in the tyre so hopfully this should fix the problem.

[peterwaller]

That seemed to do the trick except after about a minute the wheel fell off but the tyre was secure.
You can see how the weight squashes the tyre in the shot below.

[Hogi]

i didn't know mini sumos we're still around. where do you have to go to compete with them.

[peterwaller]

They usually have a couple of micromouse meets at Birmingham Uni each year where they also have minisumo although I didn't attend this year.
So I thought I would get them ready for next year, the first is normally around June.