Next Hack - Robot B9

bret.tallent

USA
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Now that I have finished B.O.B., my get your feet wet bot, I have begun my next hack. This next robot will bridge the gap between Bob and my ultimate big robot. I am starting with a remote controlled B9 toy from Trendmasters. It was very limited in what it did, and the drive section was pathetic, but it was B9!

Before Pics:

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Note: the front "lights" in the chest plate is actually just a decal.

Here is what B9 looks like now:

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I have mounted clear LEDs in the appropriate colors in the chest at the bottom of the decal and have a flashing circuit that will blink them in the combination as seen on the series. Where the two large round circles are (white domes on the big guy) I will have my ping sensor. I have mounted pager motors in the antenna housings to turn the "sensors" as seen in the TV version. I have mounted red El Wire to his voice plate to emulate the original as well. I have also mounted a series of blinking LEDs to the "brain" section in the bubble.

Next is to work on the rotation of the bubble and torso, articulate the arms and claws, and make a real functioning tread section. For the tread section I am adapting the base from my RAD robot. I will keep you posted with pics as I proceed.

Thanks,

Bret

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#73  

Hmmmm, I have already run out of ports and am reducing some of what I wanted to do. So taking up two ports with switches isn't doable. I think I may have a solution in mind. I'll have to work on it some and see if it is what I need. I'll keep you posted.

#75  

I've been looking at the drive section tonight and really like the ability to switch between high and low gear. I'm pretty sure I can mount a servo on the mechanism so I can change gears via EZ-B. Cool.

#76  

Yea you could lol , run like hell mode

#77  

You got it, right after he shouts "Danger, Danger!" lol

#78  

So here is B9's leg section sporting his new paint job. I used the same flat black as on B.O.B. but gave this a protective top coat of clear satin. I like the look.

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I enlarged the cut out in the side (originally there was a silver "knee" joint here) to mount my PIR sensors.

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They fit very nicely and will sit about a foot off the floor on each side.

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To minimize port usage (as I am more than maxed out and in need of cutting a few things back) I am going to use a single port to activate both sensors when needed (sentry mode) and tie their outputs to a separate voice module from an old B9 toy so it will say either "Danger, Danger Will Robinson!", or "My sensors indicate an intruder is present!" in a random order. This way I can still get the audio without the use of one additional port.

#79  

I just finished my mods to change gears in the RAD base from low to high and back again using a servo. This will give me the option of changing his gears thru the EZ-B on the fly, rather than doing it manually by the switch on the bottom. So here is how I did it: This is the mechanism from the inside of the base. I removed the two screws that hold those arms on.

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Then I had to cut a piece of plastic to use as an adapter between the mechanism and the servo horn. This is because the screws on the mechanism are too close together to mount a servo horn directly to it.

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With the servo horn on the servo, I am using rubber bushings as spacers.

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Then I secure the servo to the adapter plate and compress the bushings as I tighten it down.

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The servo sits between the motor housings and basically floats on the mechanism.

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I then pack foam core around the servo which keeps it from rotating.

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And Jimmy is ready to take it for a spin

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#80  

Hey Brett I'm going to send you a couple sq ft of generic sound deadener Matt