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Here's next week's video, this one goes public on Tuesday 29th. The main aim here was to make simple tank tracks, but I'll be attempting to get this vehicle to drive autonomously using a vision based deep learning model with NVIDIA Jetson hardware - that should be coming up in a couple of weeks all being well.

 

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Tank Tracked Robot Vehicle with Modular Treads (+3D Download)

The first 200 people to sign up to Brilliant! using my special link will get 20% off: https://brilliant.org/JamesBruton/ 3D printed tank robot with modular interlocking tracks: I've been wanting to try this project for a while. Eventually I'll use it to test intelligent robot navigation, but for now we're doing the mechanical build. This is a 3D printed tank tracked vehicle with interlocking modular flexible tracks printed in TPU. It seems to work ok although it would probably be worth trying a higher shore hardness of TPU. The rest of the chassis is based on two bits of 2020 aluminium extrusion with 3D printed mounts and 8mm ID skate bearings on each wheel. Get the CAD and code from: https://github.com/XRobots/tracks You can support me on Patreon or buy my Merchandise: *************************** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xrobots Merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/james-bruton *************************** Affiliate links - I will get some money of you use them to sign up or buy something: *************************** Matterhackers 3D printing supplies: http://www.matterhackers.com?aff=7500 Music for your YouTube videos: http://share.epidemicsound.com/xrobots Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/?tag=xrobotsuk-20 Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/?tag=xrobotsuk-21 Amazon FR France: https://www.amazon.fr/?tag=xrobotsuk0c-21 Amazon DE Germany: https://www.amazon.de/?tag=xrobotsuk02-21 Amazon ES Spain: https://www.amazon.es/?tag=xrobotsuk07-21 Amazon IT Italy: https://www.amazon.it/?tag=xrobotsuk08-21 *************************** Other socials: *************************** Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xrobotsuk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xrobotsuk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/xrobotsuk *************************** CAD and Code for my projects: https://github.com/XRobots Huge thanks to my Patrons, without whom my standard of living would drastically decline. Like, inside out-Farm Foods bag decline. Plus a very special shoutout to Lulzbot, Inc who keep me in LulzBot 3D printers and support me via Patreon. HARDWARE/SOFTWARE Below you can also find a lot of the typical tools, equipment and supplies used in my projects: Lulzbot 3D Printers: http://bit.ly/2Sj6nil Lincoln Electric Welder: https://bit.ly/2Rqhqos CNC Router: https://bit.ly/2QdsNjt Ryobi Tools: http://bit.ly/2RhArcD Axminster Micro Lathe: http://bit.ly/2Sj6eeN 3D Printer Filament: http://bit.ly/2PdcdUu Soldering Iron: http://bit.ly/2DrNWDR Vectric CNC Software: http://bit.ly/2zxpZqv Why not join my community, who are mostly made up of actual geniuses. There’s a Facebook group and everything: https://www.facebook.com/groups/287089964833488/ XROBOTS Former toy designer, current YouTube maker and general robotics, electrical and mechanical engineer, I’m a fan of doing it yourself and innovation by trial and error. My channel is where I share some of my useful and not-so-useful inventions, designs and maker advice. Iron Man is my go-to cosplay, and 3D printing can solve most issues - broken bolts, missing parts, world hunger, you name it. XRobots is the community around my content where you can get in touch, share tips and advice, and more build FAQs, schematics and designs are also available.

Comments

Adam Purdie

Very nice, those motors are so fast! I am a little curious and nervous about seeing it go super fast haha!

Anonymous

Very interesting James. Full size tracks are sometimes made from rigid plates held with flexible linkages, so I wonder if you made a two part system with rigid plates out of ABS or similar and the links out of TPU whether that would reduce the flexing issues enough.

Scott Cress

Building on what Jason said above. Modern tanks have "shoes" they put into the treads to change their handling characteristics and effects on the different expected terrain the tread may be on. Maybe come up with a way to put stiffer shoes on the tread? Maybe drill some holes into the tread you've made and print little clip in hard plastic pieces to stiffen it?

XRobots

I'll be using some with gearboxes on when it does anything clever, so it's a bit more under control.

XRobots

Probably, I should really just try a firmer TPU first. I'll be making it go a lot slower in the next video though so I think it may be fine as it is.

Anonymous

Nice! I half expected you to say “now, go and make somethingggg!” In closing :)

Anonymous

Have you thought about a tensioner pulley? Something that runs along the top

XRobots

I'd probably try firmer TPU first, it could do with some small wheels in the middle at the bottom too

F1777

Well, you made that look a lot easier than Ivan Mirnda did...

XRobots

The plan was to make it as simple s possible, and all the red filament was left over from LEGO ;-)

Michael T

A lot of small tracked robots have belts with steel or glass fiber tension members running through them, like the timing belts you're no doubt familiar with. For an example, look up Thistle Polymer Composites. Conveyor belt manufacturers are also used to making small orders of custom lengths and widths, and machining/bonding rubber to them. Of course, no matter how strong you make the belt and frame, something has to give if a bit of paper or fabric gets pulled in between the belt and the pulley.

XRobots

So I'm not sure what material power-twist belts are made from, but something not that stretchy presumably?