WHAT’S HAPPENING
Inside the geckobot, the battery
powered motor drives a gear system
with three outputs: The motor shafts
on the left and right sides turn both
the large cams and gear trains
connected to the legs. The third motor output turns the small cam
shaft on the top, which operates the suction release valves. The gear
trains move the legs in a synchronized manner, causing the legs to
move back and forth and up and down — so two of the feet are
touching the wall while the other two feet are lifted off of the wall,
in an alternating motion.
At the start of the cycle, the two suction cups touching the wall are
held in place by a vacuum. The suction release valves on the top of
the model are closed, which maintains the vacuum.
Next, the two lifted feet turn and press down onto the wall surface.
At this very moment, the large cams compress the accordion pump
to blow a puff of air from the pump through the tube to the two feet
stuck to the wall, which are at this same moment lifting off of the
wall. The puff of air releases the vacuum in these suction cups and
lets them release from the wall.
As the large cams rotate, they alternate between creating air
pressure and a vacuum every half rotation. The moment when the
condition in the tube changes from vacuum to pressure is when
the small cam on the top quickly opens and closes the valves
connected to tubes that distribute the air flow.
In summary, the air pumps are creating a cushion of air that
allows the suction cups to lose their grip at the exact moment
when the other two suction cups are pressing onto the wall and
starting to grip the wall.
5
If necessary, adjust the small cams. Use the anchor pin
lever tool to remove the 7-hole round rod on the top of the
model. Then adjust the top small cam shaft to the correct
position, as shown here and described on page 9.
6
Test the geckobot by turning it on and letting it walk on a
flat tabletop first.
A. If the model walks smoothly on the table, well done!
Now, test its ability to climb on a smooth vertical
surface as described below.
B. If the model sticks to the table and doesn’t walk, the
timing of the suction release is probably not synced up
properly. Rotate the position of the small cam shaft
clockwise in 45 degree increments until the model can
walk smoothly on the table.
7
Now test out the geckobot on a smooth vertical surface!
Stick the geckobot to the surface. Make sure at least two of
the suction cups stick to the surface. It’s best to keep your
hand on the model or ready to catch the model if it falls.
Also, it’s a good idea to have something soft on the floor
underneath the model in case it falls. Turn the model on.
A. If the model walks smoothly on the vertical surface,
well done! Play around with it and try it on different
surfaces.
B. If the model sticks to the surface and doesn’t walk, the
timing of the suction release is probably too slow. Rotate
the position of the small cam shaft clockwise in 45 degree
increments until the model can walk smoothly up the
surface.
C. If the model slides down the surface or falls off, the
timing of the suction release is probably too fast. Rotate
the position of the small cam shaft counterclockwise in 45
degree increments until the model can walk smoothly up
the surface.
D. If you try many times to adjust the small cam and the
geckobot still does not climb up the surface, try step 8.
8
In some situations, the geckobot needs some minor
adjustments to its pace. First, try turning the small cam
shaft from “Slide” to “Stick,” and then back to “Slide” again
(one 45-degree increment).
Now focus on the right front foot. As you did in step 24,
remove the small gear while holding the legs in place so
they don’t rotate around uncontrollably. Then carefully
turn the right front leg so the two gears attached to the leg
turn one-tooth increment clockwise. Reattach the small
gear to lock the legs in place again. Try the model again.
The geckobot has many moving parts and functional
mechanisms. It is common for it to take some adjustments
before it works properly. Don’t get discouraged! Getting it to
work is part of the learning process.
Turn the cam shaft one
45-degree increment.
7B. If model is sticking
Stick Slide
7C. If model is sliding
The vertical climbing surface must be very smooth. Glass
windows, glass mirrors, smooth plastic, smooth metal, and
some glossy wood or laminate surfaces will work.
Ask your parents where you are allowed to play with the
geckobot. The climbing surface must be stable and secure.
5
6B
7
8
Be careful not
to let your
geckobot
climb out of
reach!
Danger! When using the geckobot on
a window, there is the potential risk
that a child opens the window and
falls out the window. Please
supervise children around windows.
15
Geckobot
