Mr.Flex (Pimp My Ride) - Bridge on the River Qwai
@ May 30, 2009
- Actuators / output devices: PolyMorph Suspension and PolyMorph Universal Joints
- Control method: Autonomous and IR Control
- CPU: Arduino Duemilanove
- Operating system: C
- Sensors / input devices: Ultrasonic sensors
- Target environment: Outdoor - Semi rough Forest track, Jumps Small Cliffs
UPDATE :- Bridge on the River Kwai - Autonomous - New programming - mega fast speed - faster sensor response -
"Rollover-Bar" in action.
On Board Video (Radiocam) showing how the Universal Joints spin circles.....
PolyMorph Rollover Cage installed to protect Electronics.
(however i have to redesign the front end for sensor protection).
Polymorph Protection plate intalled underneath to protect Gears from rocks etc.
My current contender is taking Shape with the added help of PolyMorph.
Intended to go where no other Mr.Basic would dare go......... "Off Track"
To acheive this i have been creating some rather cunning Suspension systems.
Its highly like-ly that during the making of this Bot, its name may also transform (-: just like PolyMorph :-)
First Video :- Bridge on the River Kwai - Autonomous - New programming - mega fast speed - faster sensor response.
Second Video :- Autonomous Mystery trip around our center.
Third Video :- Autonomous Mystery trip around house.
Fourth Video :- the progress of the Project.
It includes sequences of how the PolyMorph bits where made.
Fifth Video :- the PolyMorph Suspension system © in Action.
Sixth Video you can see the very First Test of the PolyMorph Universal Joint ©.
Its a very flexible system - the suspension uses around 2cm of travel, which is only a 10° angle difference for the joint,
it can be bent almost 90° and still gives drive (the motor has to work a little harder though).
Seventh Video :- the Turning Ability with On-Board Radio Camera.
(1) Polymorph extruded solid tube suspension (1.5 cm travel)
Failed (worked but to floppy - gear meshing not ideal)
(2) PolyMorph Bracket (1.5cm travel)-
Failed (Worked but gear Meshing not so good on extreme down stroke, plus the wheels where at a stupid angle)
(3) PolyMorph Universal Joint © (2cm travel) ----- Looking Cool
Using a 2cm piece of the extruded PolyMorph solid tube .......from the failed (1) suspension unit.
I clamped it between two brass collets and Hey Presto a PolyMorph universal joint ©.
What this means is when you turn one brass collet the other turns to ......... no matter what angle you put it at
The PolyMorph is flexible enough to bend and be driven at the same time.
The only thing left to do is to intergrate the black axle holders into the front black middle part (with PolyMorph).
The Geometry of the gear meshing should stay is perfect and stable.
The Spring in the middle is easy to adjust for tension (-: but has to be secured before it hits any rough ground :-)
Although its not independent suspension (ie one spring per wheel) i am hope-ing that the torsional aspect of the connected wheels will be enough to get it out of trouble.
Installed a Polymorph GearGuard to stop the underneath plastic gears from hitting rocks and things.
Because it will be carrying more Electronics - i have fitted it out with a PolyMorph Roll-Over Cage. You can see this in action last part of the "Bridge on the River Kwai" video.......
Installed a Polymorph GearGuard to stop the underneath plastic gears from hitting rocks and things.
However i have to make some kind of Magnetic release system for the "Did-He-Think-He-Sauraus" eye-ear part.
BTW. The eye/ear PolyMorph piece increases his Ultrasonic sensitivity and range.
The Arduino is fitted with a Motor Shield and the Ultrasonic Sensor is connected to a scanning servo.
The Motor shield has been "PiggyBacked" ie doubling up the L293D drivers to share the high motor current.
@ Sun, 2009-07-05 15:13
Final vote
Ok, I decided to follow mintvelts suggestion and give 5 stars for my Nr. 1, 4 stars for Nr.2 and so one, to give a clearer result for this contest.
@ Sun, 2009-07-05 04:59
Great work, it's been
Great work, it's been facinating watching the development of Mr Flex.
To me this is the best example of what things can be done with the chassis, & a great demonstration of where you can take the DAGU Mr Basic Kit.
Very creative, well done.
@ Sun, 2009-07-05 11:17
It is actually a super Chassis
Yes it just goes to show how good the Chassis actually is.
(i have now bonded with my chassis ....wait...no.... that was an accident with HotGlueGun)
With a few minor modifications - in the direction of flexibility and drive durability its a super product.
Best Regards Gareth
@ Sun, 2009-07-05 02:09
I love the little Alien like
@ Sun, 2009-07-05 11:19
Rapid-Prototyping PM
When i model with PM its like i am in another world.
I even used it to make a custom nose piece to convert an old pair Oakleys lenses to fit onto my glasses :-)
Its relatively low priced and from my experience a small amount goes a long way - Somehow when you put the PM pellets into Hot water then expand extra by a quarter !!!!! (anyone else notice this - or is it my PM glasses) - so i always miss-calculate how much i need..
Best Regards Gareth
@ Sun, 2009-07-05 00:50
looks great
It is obvious that you are very good at using polymorph
@ Sun, 2009-07-05 11:00
I have never before found such a material......
PolyMorph is an amazing substance......
...... once you work out it can be reformed and reworked very easily then anything is possible with this lowmelt plastic , plus its very strong.
(however some say its not stable to light and ages with time).
The Original PolyMorph universal joints are still working on Mr.Flex and show no signs of wear.
Experimentation with the thickness give the possibility of Using it for Flextion/torsion ......super for suspension systems.
@ Fri, 2009-07-03 01:13
The vote
Since Frits wants vicious cruelty in the voting I am only giving this 4 stars.
The polymorph suspension was very original as was the body in it's various transitions. He is quick and avoids obstacles well demonstraighting good code. Your videos are well done and always entertaining.
The only reason I offer for giving Ant the 5th star and not you is because I am a sucker for a good lightshow and I love the retro look which has it's own technical challenges.
@ Wed, 2009-07-01 22:40
Excellent production
@ Tue, 2009-06-30 22:20
Mr Flex get serious. Awesome!