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View Full Version : Lasercut robot chassis - howto



Doug Fennell
08-16-2011, 6:29 PM
I designed these and posted them over at Instructables - cut files, instructions, parts list and code included. In case you have any cub scouts that would like to get their robotics badge or maybe a science fair coming up - enjoy.



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George M. Perzel
08-16-2011, 7:31 PM
Doug;
Thanks-just the ticket for my grandson scout!
Best Regards,
George
Laserarts

Doug Fennell
08-16-2011, 7:44 PM
most welcome George

Greg Bednar
08-16-2011, 8:45 PM
Very, very nice!!

Doug Fennell
08-16-2011, 10:40 PM
Hi all - George just advised me that Instructables makes you sign up to get the files - I didn't realize that. You can join for free and there is no charge to get the files, but I'll attach them to this post. Anyone having trouble viewing instructables itself?

Attachments:
electric_turtle.cdr (http://www.propellerheadgeek.com/download/electric_turtle.cdr)
electric_turtle.dxf (http://www.propellerheadgeek.com/download/electric_turtle.dxf)
electric_turtle_instructions.pdf (http://www.propellerheadgeek.com/download/electric_turtle_instructions.pdf)
electric_turtle.bas (http://www.propellerheadgeek.com/download/electric_turtle.bas)
wiring.pdf (http://www.propellerheadgeek.com/download/wiring.pdf)

little_tank.cdr (http://www.propellerheadgeek.com/download/little_tank.cdr)
little_tank.dxf (http://www.propellerheadgeek.com/download/little_tank.dxf)
little_tank_instructions.pdf (http://www.propellerheadgeek.com/download/little_tank_instructions.pdf)

Rich Harman
08-16-2011, 11:30 PM
Hi Doug, I was just talking about your robot today while at StudentRND. I had seen it on Thingiverse - and left a comment.

Doug Fennell
08-16-2011, 11:35 PM
Very cool, thank you. RotoScan?

Rich Harman
08-17-2011, 12:35 AM
Yeah, that's me.

Frank Corker
08-17-2011, 6:27 AM
I saw these on Instructables, it's a fab site for getting a very different view of peoples creativity. Doug fantastic design buddy, very nice job indeed on both.

Doug Fennell
08-17-2011, 8:48 AM
Thanks for the compliment Frank - I agree, Instructables is a great site. It really amazes people when you show them what a laser can produce. I have made complete etched circuit boards on my laser. WAY cheaper than sending them to a fabrication facility, especially for simple boards.

BTW, I've had a few questions about the *.bas file in the earlier post - it's the code for the microcontroler that runs this robot.

Bill Cunningham
08-18-2011, 9:17 PM
Thanks for the compliment Frank - I agree, Instructables is a great site. It really amazes people when you show them what a laser can produce. I have made complete etched circuit boards on my laser. WAY cheaper than sending them to a fabrication facility, especially for simple boards.

BTW, I've had a few questions about the *.bas file in the earlier post - it's the code for the microcontroler that runs this robot.

Boy!! I did a double take! It's been a Looong time since I've seen a .bas file.. I assume this particular one gets compiled for the controller? I started with a 4k 'Benton Harbor' Basic off a cassette tape back in the 70s:p

Ken Shea
08-18-2011, 9:50 PM
I have made complete etched circuit boards on my laser. WAY cheaper than sending them to a fabrication facility, especially for simple boards.

Doug,
Have you posted the technique used to use your laser for circuit boards?
What I have read is pretty much not practical.

The tanks are very cool and very nice work on those

Thanks
Ken

Doug Fennell
08-18-2011, 9:50 PM
Correct - it compiles and gets sent to the microcontroler. The code is pretty straight forward, really - it runs the sonar and provides the logic for obstacle avoidance.

Doug Fennell
08-18-2011, 11:16 PM
Well, you do the basic board design (modified rules to take advantage of the laser's strengths and minimize it's weaknesses) - just like you always did. The technique is so low tech it's amazing it works as well as it does, even on 2 sided boards...

Get your copper clad board, paint it black with flat black Krylon brand spray paint, it just works the best. Raster the reverse image of the circuit (the traces are still covered in paint). Throw the board in your etching solution - when it etches, use acetone to remove the paint.

There is a really good Instructable about the process, I added some refinements in that thread, but the basic technique is easy and works really, really well.