ROBOTICS: Interesting Parts

erco

This seller has a lot of erector set-style parts. This particular listing is just a motor, but scroll down to see the Wall-E style bot made of generic parts. Nothing real cheap yet, but hopefully this trend continues.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Geared-130-Motors-1-94-Gear-Box-3mm-D-Shaft-for-Handmade-Toys-Model-Robotic-Car/391190934360

macrobeak

Erco,
I made the point about the high productivity of prototype robot building using pre-drilled mechanical components on a previous post ;
http://forums.parallax.com/discussion/161101/resources-for-robot-building-with-metal-plastic-wood#latest
I have examined your ebay site as referenced above and I think it is important new resource for lightweight prototyping.
Thanks for the heads-up.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Despite the parts being from China, they're not cheap. Consider two pieces of plastic:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-175-3mm-Plastic-Connect-Strip-Fixed-Rod-Frame-DIY-Robotic-Car-Model-Toy-/391164556619?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5b1339754b

$2.84 + $1.50 shipping
That may not sound like a lot, until you consider how many pieces you might need for a project. I could make them cheaper (for myself) on my laser cutter.
-Phil

erco

Yup, as I mentioned, def not cheap yet, but maybe in time. It's fun to see the variety of parts & kits though, either for future reference or to generate ideas. Hopefully in time they'll sell a bundle which could give Lego & K'Nex a run for their money.

Here's a "walker" quad: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quadruped-Robotic-Assembly-Model-Educational-DIY-Puzzle-IQ-Gadget-Hobby-Toy-/391189101100


And for tread-lovers:

macrobeak

This type of bolted plastic is stronger than Lego. However, Lego is very widespread, versatile and well developed.
It would be ideal if there were some transition pieces that enable Lego to be connected to this system.
I envisage the heavy duty chassis and framework in bolted plastic, with Lego infill for lighter duty components.
Phil you are right about the current cost being quite expensive. When you consider that a bolted system can be used over and over again for prototypes (i.e. same for Actobotics for heavier duty metal prototypes) then the investment becomes a more reasonable proposition.

Whit

There is also nothing that I know of that is really exactly like this stuff out there on the market! Cool stuff to play with!

Martin_H

Those parts look interesting, but they're too expensive when bought in small batches. They really need to make a set of parts to amortize the shipping costs.
Ultimately they seem like Meccano (aka Erector) which I'm surprised hasn't been more popular for robot building. Here's a Meccano Rubik's cube solver, so there's interest, but not to the degree of Lego.