Better looking mount for dart launcher

Grievousfish

I finally finished constructing the new mount for my 12-dart launcher for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle_Bot.· Originally, I just hacked off the rear portion of the truck platform that the dart launcher was attached to·and mounted that to the servo-powered turntable.· (see http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=676110)

This approach·was problematic both in terms of aesthetics and·construction (it was impossible to access the servo horn screw).· My solution was to cut out two CD-size disks of black Lexan.· The bottom disk is mounted directly to the turntable and has a hole in the middle to allow access to the servo horn screw.· The top disk is attached to the dart launcher and then attached to the bottom disk using four hex standoffs.··Both·Lexan disks are roughly 1" wider than the launcher so there is easy access to standoff hex screws.· Obligatory photos included.

Post Edited (Grievousfish) : 10/1/2007 3:57:51 PM GMT

Whit

Looks cool.

Have you enjoyed the ARobot?

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Whit+


"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

Grievousfish

Yes! I like the readily available plug-ins for adding an additional dc motor (I'm using for the dart launcher) and three more servos (I'm using two so far - one for the PING pan servo and one for the dart launcher turntable servo). I'm breadboarding until I am more confident of my soldering skills. I'm having a little trouble getting the steering wheels to stay in place but it is a minor problem. It is my first bot and I am using it to explore a variety of motors and sensors. Not to mention to try to revive any dormant Basic knowledge last used in the 1980's!

Dgswaner

Awesome! I definitely need to build one of those. can tell me a little about the launcher? I'm assuming it's functional, but how do you actuate it? is it full auto or semi auto? That's way better than the usb missile launcher I was going to use.

congrats on the first bot!

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A complex design is the sign of an inferior designer. - Jamie Hyneman, Myth Buster

Grievousfish

The launcher was purchased at Target and was part of a remote control truck. It can be purchased online. The truck has two dc motors that power the rear wheels and provide differential steering. The launcher is powered by a third dc motor that is housed within the launcher unit.

Removal of the launcher unit is relatively simple. It is just a matter of removing screws and disconnecting a single plug for the two wires that supply the dc motor in the missle launcher. You do not need to take the launcher unit itself apart.

My current program has the launcher firing based on which infrared detector is triggered. It will continue to shoot as long as the detector is triggered but I have the loop limited to 12 cycles (launcher only has 12 darts). Eventually, I will have a program that has both autonomous roaming and IR remote control with dart firing under IR remote control.

I purchased the black turntable that the launcher is attached to from Lynxmotion. It has a servo motor under the housing that allows the turntable to rotate. The dart launcher will pan toward whichever IR detector is being triggered before firing.

I guess I should try to post some video of this thing in operation.

Dgswaner

Video Would be cool, thanks for the info. In my thoughts for this type of project for my son. I was going to have a 3x3 +/- target area where if hit it would disable the bot, making it so my son can shoot back trying to stop it before it stops him. but at the rate I'm going he'll be out fo the house b4 I get it built! or want to shoot real bullets at it. Nice Project!

Dg.

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A complex design is the sign of an inferior designer. - Jamie Hyneman, Myth Buster