FIGURE 3. Test wiring of Algos to check components
and program failsafe behavior.
FIGURE 2. Central components of Algos installed to show
the general real world layout.
FIGURE 4. Algos prior to attending Clash of the Bots 3.
FIGURE 5. One of the shafts being heated on the improvised
hardening rig.
by a 3s 325 mAh Thunderpower
LiPoly battery and uses a custom
power switch for easy startup and
shutdown.
With this design, all of the
chassis components are waterjet cut
and held together with nutstrip
from kitbots.com. This design
method allows for rapid assembly
and minimizes build time.
The electrical layout for Algos
had to be adjusted during the build
process. Initially, the plan was to
have all of the components (besides
the weapon ESC and one drive
speed controller) tucked into the
half of the chassis that was not
occupied by the weapon motor.
During the build process, it
became clear that due to the length
of wires there would not be enough
space for all of the components in
the intended locations. To fix this,
the receiver was moved to the
opposite side of the chassis and the
wires were rerouted to
accommodate the new layout.
Once the electrical system was
functional, the biggest remaining
task was putting the bent corners in
the 1/16" titanium front wedge.
This was accomplished with the use
of an oxy-acetylene torch, pliers, and
several heavy blocks of aluminum
clamped to a steel table.
The titanium was heated to
orange hot along the bend line, and
once an even color was reached I
clamped onto the side and bent the
edges down.
SERVO 11.2012 29
