Metals has a nice selection of
polycarbonate in sizes like 12”
x 12” x 0.25, for around $10.
www.onlinemetals.com.
Radio Systems
The BR6000
receiver is
upgraded for RFL
compliant safing.
There are a number of high
quality, inexpensive 75 MHz systems
on the market. However, any new
builders should be aimed at the
2.4 GHz systems, so they can be
compatible with rules for all future
events. The Spektrum DX5e ($73)
with BR6000 ($50) from The Robot
MarketPlace is the preferred and
possibly only RFL compliant system;
a real bargin in most builder’s
opinions. Check out www.robot
marketplace.com.
Power Switch
This category received almost
no play in the Ultimate Ant thread.
For an Intro level bot, it was pretty
much agreed that a simple,
“connect the connector” approach
is fine. I still like my RadioShack
DPDT switch setup that allows a
charging jack option, but can’t
argue that KISS is the best.
Fasteners, Fittings,
and Parts
Confusing “cheap” with “value”
was a common theme. Yes, sheet
metal screws and parts swiped from
VCRs (“Daddy, what’s a VCR?”) are
cheap. I’m going to maintain that in
fasteners, paying a bit is worth it.
One useful tip is the VDD blade
hub, available from The Robot
MarketPlace.
24 SERVO 06.2009
VDD hubs are a
low cost option
for attaching
blades.
The Intro Ant
Mike Jefferies
build this render
of The Intro Ant.
Putting it all together, Table 1
shows our shopping list. The
Spektrum DX5e five-channel
transmitter ($73) is considered part
of the infrastructure, just like the
battery charger ($50-$100).
This totals up to $238 for the
bones of a very decent antweight.
Depending on the builder’s abilities,
the cost for the frame, fittings,
weapon, wire, etc., vary from free
to another $200 or so.
The Ultimate Ant rang the till
at $481 (adjusted for the more
TABLE 2
reasonable battery), so our Intro
cost about half the Ultimate. See
the big differences in Table 2.
I’m not experienced with
brushless outrunner motors and
controllers, so I can’t judge if
the quality and power of the
Ultimate brands are worth four
times the cost of the Intro
setup. I do know that we didn’t
even address the matter of
spare parts here — a significant
expense. I’ve also never run
Maxon motors (the Ultimate
favorite) so again, can’t judge
TOTAL
the value. I do like the idea,
however, of being able to tell an
excited parent/child team watching
their first event that a competitive
spinner ant can be built — including
support gear and spare parts — for
under $500. SV
Thanks to Travis Schmidt, Dan Wiseman,
Donald Sung, and Dennis Beck who
provided information for this article.
Graphics are from the websites of vendors
mentioned throughout the article.
• Drive Motor
• Wheels
• Hubs
• Drive ESC
• Drive Batteries
• Weapon Motor
• Weapon ESC
• Armor
• Radio Receiver
• Power Switch
• Fittings/Parts
• Transmitter
• Charger
ULTIMATE
$70
$4
$21
$54
$37
$75
$80
$40
$50
$20
$30
$481
$130
$50
INTRO
$28
$4
$4
$54
$8
$18
$17
$20
$50
$5
$30
$238
$73
$50
$661
$361
TABLE 1
ITEM
• Drive Motor
• Wheels
• Hubs
• Drive ESC
• Drive Batteries
• Weapon Motor
• Weapon ESC
• Armor
• Radio Receiver
• Power Switch
• Fittings/Parts
DESCRIPTION
Two BaneBots 16 mm 24:1 with the 050 motors
Two 1.75” Lite Flites
3 mm Finger Tech
Fingertech Robotics Tiny ESC (2)
Rhino 460 mAh 3S 11.1V
Turnigy 1,130 Kv 2209 26 turn
Turnigy Plush 25 amp Speed Controller
0.25” Polycarbonate
BR6000 Spektrum
Dealer’s Choice
Various
PRICE
$28
$4
$4
$54
$8
$18
$17
$20
$50
$5
$30
