The micro robot chassis construction is currently being prototyped for various school & college projects. The design is therefore constantly being updated,  which may not be reflected immediately on this website. The specifications, sizes, functionality depicted in the follow text may therefore change without notice. 

Please email sales@robotmaker.co.uk for details of latest project updates.

Main Chassis design features:

1. Fixings for IRCF sensor module. Megabitty processor board and ample space for other PCB's (edge detection, motor controllers, etc).

2. Easy Access to both PCB's

3. Various motor drive positions

4. Space for standard batteries

The chassis is built from two main chassis parts:

The two frames swivel apart,  for easy access to the motors and other PCB's mounted in the bottom frame.

An integrated spring clip, in the motor chassis, clips the two parts together.

The IRCF will mount directly on top of the battery holder frame, by sliding the front edge of the PCB under the front retaining tabs. The side support tabs should be bent into position so they just support the edge of the PCB as depicted below:. 

The Light sensors should protrude slightly from the sides.

The IRCF PCB is angled at 5 degrees to provide a shorter range proximity detection. The IR sensors and IR emitters will need to be adjusted to obtain the required sensing position (see Calibration:  http://www.robotmaker.co.uk/IRCF/IRCF_Calibration_v2.htm)

Small geared motors can be fitted in various positions to accommodate different drive types (e.g. belt drive, pulley, geared, friction, direct drive). Larger wheel diameters could also be used,  for instance when intended in rougher terrain, then the motor could be fitted in the top positions.

In the pictures above, the motors are fitted in the middle for a direct drive configuration. The main advantage of this configuration is that no further drive mechanisms components are required (belts, gears, pulley) which greatly reduces the complexity.

Fixing of Megabitty or other robot controller

The Megabitty can be mounted in many positions. The positions will depend on where the motors are mounted. In picture 2 above,  the Megabitty is mounted on the battery holder frame. In the picture below it is mounted on the motor mount frame (on spacers). Many configurations are possible.

In the picture below (lower profile version) the Megabitty is mounted between the two motors. This version is designed for a belt drive..

Battery Fixing & Support Plate

The chassis has been designed to accommodate standard rechargeable batteries. The main advantage is that these batteries are:

There is adequate room in the Battery Holder Frame and in the Motor Mount to fit various battery packs.

For example two 9v batteries will fit snugly side by side...

..or 4 x AAA size batteries can be place in a holder or shrink sleeve pack.

Cable routing and Support Plate

If necessary an optional support plate can be added in the Battery Holder Frame, to enable cables to be routed underneath the batteries.

Battery Support Tabs

Two tabs have been machined in the battery mount, for  fixing the batteries into position.

Power Supplies

It is recommend to use  two separate power supplies (1 for motors and 1 for Microcontroller/IRCF) to avoid the robot microprocessor or IRCF resetting (brown-out),  normally occurs on low battery charge and power surges from the motors.

Battery Charging

When designing the chassis for robot swarms,  it is important to consider a simple charging solution, such as a headphone type socked or spring pads mounted under the robot chassis for quick and easy charging solution. Connectors and charging circuits can be mounted to the chassis to avoid batteries being removed.

Optional fixing plates can be added to the frames to enable mounting of additional  sensors, components and PCB's to the body. The plates can also be used for painting 'skins' to robot to obtain individual personalities. 

It is recommended to use lock-nuts or add a drop of superglue on all screws, to avoid screws vibrating loose during use.

Edge detections fixing

Four slots in the motor mount frame have been provided for fixing edge sensors at the front and rear. 

Spare motor fixing holes could be used for mounting rotation sensors. An encoded label can be stuck to the inside face of the wheel.