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Budget Robotics - TankBot Servo 

 

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Copyright (c) 2002-2006, Budget Robotics 

Budget Robotics 

TankBot Servo

 

Assembly Instructions

 

 

 

 

The Budget Robotics TankBot Servo kit is a low-cost servo-driven tracked vehicle designed as a flexible 

base which you can use to construct a fully-featured treaded robot. 

 

The TankBot Servo uses two pre-modified R/C servo motors (44 oz-in torque at 6 volts), and a Tamiya 

Track and Wheel Set (70100). The Track and Wheel Set contains plastic drive sprockets and idler 

wheels, as well as lengths of rubber tracks that are linked together to make treads. Assembly of the 

TankBot Servo is easy, and takes less than 20 minutes. 

 

Two decks, or "levels," are provided, for mounting the batteries, sensors, microcontroller, and other 

components. An optional third level is available. The finished robot measures approximately 6.75" in 

length, 4.75" wide, and 3.5" high. Weight without batteries is approximately 13 oz. 

 

Note that the TankBot Servo kit lacks circuitry for controlling the servo motors. Any of a number of 

microcontrollers can be used for this purpose, and most are sized to fit the TankBot. As an example, the 

OOPic R is one of many ready-to-go microcontrollers that can be readily used with the TankBot Servo.  

Summary of Contents for TankBot Servo

Page 1: ... lengths of rubber tracks that are linked together to make treads Assembly of the TankBot Servo is easy and takes less than 20 minutes Two decks or levels are provided for mounting the batteries sensors microcontroller and other components An optional third level is available The finished robot measures approximately 6 75 in length 4 75 wide and 3 5 high Weight without batteries is approximately 1...

Page 2: ...ck are separated by risers 2 Left and right track mounting rails 1 Track rail top support 1 Tamiya Track and Wheel Set 70100 track sprocket attached to a servo disc 2 R C servo motors 8 4 40 x 1 machine screws used as wheel axles 8 4 40 nylon locking nuts 8 Small profile 4 washers brass color 16 4 washers 8 4 40 x 1 2 machine screws and nuts 4 Risers consisting of 4 6 32 x 1 1 2 machine screws 8 6...

Page 3: ...l is the rail on the left as viewed from the rear of the TankBot Its three base mounting holes are countersunk on the left side The right rail is the rail on the right as viewed from the rear of the TankBot Likewise its three base mounting holes are countersunk on the right side Orient one servo in the servo mounting pocket of the left rail as shown ...

Page 4: ...nuts face to the outside of the rail Be sure to place the washers as shown in the inset figure One washer should be flush against the nut the other flush against the head of the screw Repeat for the bottom of the servo Observe the fasteners are attached at opposite corners of the servo Note Four sets of fasteners are provided for each servo but only two are needed Hand tighten only at this point ...

Page 5: ...r fastener assembly Note that the washers which are brass color are undersized and may need to be threaded onto the machine screws Hand tighten the locking nuts only at this point Step 4 Secure one large roller from the Tamiya Track and Wheel set to the left rail using a 4 40 x 1 machine screw washers and locking nut see the figure inset in Step 3 for fastener assembly As with the small rollers in...

Page 6: ...h a box wrench or pair of pliers tighten the locking nut on each of the four rollers Best results can be obtained with the following 1 Tighten the nut so that the roller no longer freely rotates 2 Untighten by 1 8 of a turn until the roller spins without binding Do not untighten to the point where the roller becomes wobbly ...

Page 7: ... idler wheels 3 Wrap the tread around the teeth of the drive sprocket and carefully push the sprocket onto the servo motor shaft 4 Pull the servo back in its mounting slots to exert medium tension on the tread The tread should be springy but not overly tight Note Do not overstretch the tread or it may become unlinked If desired at this time you may attach the other two sets of machine screws nuts ...

Page 8: ...pleted you should have two rail sub assemblies as shown here Step 8 Orient the base so that the two riser mounting holes furthest from the edge are located to the rear of the TankBot by the servo motors Using two 6 x 3 4 self tapping screws attach the left rail as shown Do not over tighten the screws or the plastic may become deformed ...

Page 9: ... 9 Copyright c 2002 2006 Budget Robotics Step 9 Repeat step 8 for the right rail Step 10 Using two 6 x 3 4 self tapping screws attach the track rail top support as shown Do not over tighten the screws or the plastic may become deformed ...

Page 10: ...each of the screws 3 For each riser thread a 6 32 hex nut until the sleeve is slightly compressed Step 12 Mount the top deck by aligning its four holes with the riser Secure the top deck to the risers with four 6 32 hex nuts Your TankBot should look like the model on the right drive sprocket shown for placement Note The sprocket and rollers are not inline This is intentional The center line of the...

Page 11: ... in place by applying a small amount of low temperature hot glue to the segment joints While the glue cools press it into place by putting the track upside down on a flat surface and rolling out the glue with the drive sprocket This ensures that the glue doesn t fill the sprocket holes in the track Servo Centering Adjustment The TankBot Servo uses standard R C model airplane servo motors that have...

Page 12: ...e output gear Minimize handling of the gears so that you don t accidentally soak up too much of the white lubricating grease into your fingers If you think the gears have become insufficiently lubricated you may apply a small amount of synthetic grease available at most electronics stores to replenish 7 Adjust the feedback potentiometer as required If needed you may apply a very small amount of Su...

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