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Bot steering wheel — Parallax Forums

Bot steering wheel

FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
edited 2013-02-08 11:33 in Robotics
Im getting to the stage of my electric go-kart robot thing (it has like 6 names) where the steering wheel must take shape. I'm planning to use a Formula 1 style design (http://luxedb.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Ferrari-F1-Steering-Wheel-Replica-for-Passionate-Gamers.png) but instead of all the buttons i have to fit a TI AM335X starter kit (http://www.ti.com/tool/tmdssk3358) which is 5 1/4 inches across and 2 1/2 inches up. the distance between the screw standoffs are 4 5/16 inches across (width) and 2 inches apart top to bottom. Along with this is a 4 AA battery pack (the one that comes with boe-bot kits) and a JEGs quick release (http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performance+Products/555/60720/10002/-1). To make this steering wheel as timely and easily as possible, suggestions on design and or build materials????????

Comments

  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2013-02-02 18:47
    A rectangular aluminum sheet for the center piece and tubing (~ 1 - 1.5 inch drapery rod) for the hand grips. If you want the grips rounded use 3 pulleys or small wheel rims to bend the tubing to the desired radius.
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2013-02-02 22:42
    I probably should've added this in the original post, but i'm not terribly good at working with aluminum sheet. And i kinda wanna make this with as few pieces as possible. So would it be easier to buy this (http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Simraceway-SRW-S1-Gaming-Steering/dp/B005YVTHT0) and then do something like this to it? http://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/lofiversion/index.php?t50423.html just remove the paddles, mount the quick release on the back, remove all the buttons and such, then cut out the right size area for the LCD to fit in, and finally do a vinyl wrap or something over the top to hide the factory stuff???
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2013-02-03 21:54
    I would go to a go cart store/track and a custom car shop to see what they had, and see if I could mount the added hardware to it. That way it would be rugged enough to stand up to whatever abuse it may receive.
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2013-02-04 11:28
    Well if you look at the AM335X (Android screen) I'm not sure how it would mount to a steering wheel with the processor and such on the underside being protected?????
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2013-02-06 08:29
    Depends on the steering wheel and the AM335X mounting holes. An "adapter" made from plastic or aluminum that mounts to the steering wheel and has mounting holes for spacers and screws to mount the AM board.

    I was only offering alternative suggestions. You may be able to use the steering wheel you suggested in your first post if it is rugged enough. If you intend to drive the robot at high speed for any amount of time a plastic steering wheel may not be sturdy enough. A steering wheel for a go-cart or car certainly will be rugged enough and there are several models that have enough space in the center to mount the module you have in mind.

    Take a look at http://www.bmikarts.com/Steering-Wheels_c_275.html for some examples.
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2013-02-06 20:08
    What about taking this wheel: http://www.bmikarts.com/Mychron-Steering-Wheel-_p_1424.html and mounting it upside down so that tab with the slot is facing upwards, cut a piece of poly carb, mount the AM to that, and mount the poly carb to the wheel. And plus that 3 slot pattern fits the quick release. Seem good?
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2013-02-07 08:37
    Sounds like a workable plan but it is hard to be sure based on only that picture. It would be nice to see the actual steering wheel or at least drawings with dimensions.
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2013-02-08 11:33
    Well if its too big my robotics team has a milling machine, I'll just make the slots bigger if need be. But yeah I think that's the easiest solution, plus it'll look better than something I made :P
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