DIY Walking Bot
In this Instructable, I will show you how to make a 3D Printed DIY Walking Bot. The specialty of this bot is that it has a higher surface area in contact with the ground as compared to previous bots and hence apart from walking it can also climb certain objects.
I have seen previous designs where makers used cardboard to make a walking bot. However, I preferred using 3D Printing as it involves less time and effort for use en mass.
Apart from making this toy, you will also have the opportunity to learn about motion, some electronics and basic concepts of physics, while making and testing this toy.
Some steps have some common questions that would arise while making the toy. These questions have been addressed in the step itself.
Without further ado, let’s go ahead and make the DIY Walking Bot!
For this design the following items are needed (Refer to the picture above that has the parts included on a cutting mat in green):
1 – Base Plate
2A and 2B – Side plates
3A and 3B – Inner triangles (to be attached to the base plate)
4A and 4B – Outer triangles (to be attached to the shafts (6A-6F))
5 – Dual Shaft DC motor
6A-6F – Shafts (used to connect the outer triangles to the main body of the robot)
7A – aluminum pipes (3.5cm in length) 6 pieces, 7B – aluminum pipes (8cm in length) 2 pieces. The outer diameter of the aluminum pipe should not exceed 6.2 mm.
8A and 8B – Battery operated motor extender(will be attached to the motor)
9 – Stoppers (used to restrict the sideways motion of the outer triangles)
10 – Araldite
11 – Rubber patch (to be attached to the lower side of the base plate and the lower side of the outer triangles in order to provide friction to climb)
12 – Masking tape (used to close one the side plates)
13 – Double battery case
14A and 14B – 1.5 volt batteries
15 – Switch
16 – Conducting tape
17 – Zip ties (2 pieces – used to clamp the switch)
Also please use either Fevikwik (available in India) or a superglue available locally.
The STL files required for 3D Printing can be found here:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3357381
Please make sure that you have read the step first before you proceed to make the robot.
Things to Be Done Before the Build
Inventory check :
Check if you have all the materials.
Check if the motor, battery, battery case and switch are working.
Check if the aluminum pipes goes properly in the following:
Outer triangles (4A and 4B)
Inner triangles (3A and 3B)
Shafts (6A to 6F)
Rings (9)
Stick the Base Plate(1) to One of the Inner Triangles(3A or 3B) Using Araldite (10)
Note: Please make sure that only one side is stuck.
Q. Why have we stuck only one side right now?
A. The reason is that there will be additional components that will be added inside and so that we can easily attach the Bo Motor (5).
Now Attach the Motor(5) to the Inner Triangle(3)
Please make sure that the orientation of your DIY Walking Bot matches the image above.
Q. Why must the orientation match the image above?
A. So that motor fits in properly in the respective holes in the triangles.
Attach the Bo Motor Extender (8) But Make Sure That You Attach Only One As Shown in the Picture
Q. Why do we use the BO Motor Extendor (8)?
A. We use the extender because the shaft of the BO Motors are very small in dimension, so to increase the length of the shaft of the BO Motor we use the extender.
Tighten the Screw on the BO Motor Extender
Q. Is it necessary to tighten the screw?
A. It is absolutely necessary to tighten the screw so that extender is held in place onto the shaft of the BO Motor.
Now Attach the Other Inner Triangle (3) to the Base Plate (1) Using Araldite(10) and Adjust the Motor Between These Two Triangles(3).
Once you have attached the other triangle plate, please sure that it looks like the image above.
Now Attach the Other BO Motor Extender (8) to the Other Shaft of the Motor(5)
Upon completion of this step the DIY Walking Bot should look like the image on the right.
Now Insert the Small Aluminum Pipes (7A) Into the Shafts (6) and Let Them Stick Using Fevikwik or Any Other Superglue Available in Your Country.
Q. Why are the holes on the 3D Printed Shafts (6) open on both ends?
A. The reason that the shafts are open on both ends is to allow the junk to move out from the other end of the shaft otherwise it will collect up, causing the shaft to not go in properly.
Now Attach the Shafts(6) to the Ends of Each of the BO Motor Extender(8) Using Fevikwik or Any Other Superglue and Let Them Stick.
Note: Kindly attach the shafts facing downwards as shown in the image.
Q. Why must the shafts face downwards?
A. This exercise is being done to align both the shafts. Also as there is more weight added gravity will the the shaft down. So it is best to put it in the downwards position naturally before gravity can act.
Now Attach the Longer Aluminum Pipe(7B) to the Other End of the Shaft(6) Using Fevikwik (or Superglue) and Let It Stick.
Note: Do the same for the other longer aluminum pipe (7B) also.
There should be two identical pieces at the end of this step. Therefore, there should be two of those pieces shown in the image.
Q. Why is it not a tight fit?
A. It is not a tight fit so that the shafts can freely move without being constrained.
Now Insert the Longer Aluminum Pipe(7B) Through the Holes at the Bottom of the Inner Triangle(3) and Attach a Shaft (6) at the Other End of This Aluminum Pipe.
Repeat the Previous Step for the Other Longer Aluminum Pipe(7B).
After the completion of this step the walking bot should look like the image in this step.
Put the Conducting Tape (16) on Battery Holder (13) on the End Where the Two Wires Are Soldered and Insert the Battery Arrangement(13,14) Inside the Body of the Robot As Shown.
Note: please put the batteries(14 A,B respectively) in the battery holder (13) before putting it inside the bot.
Q. Why have we used a conducting tape?
A. To give more strength to the connections.
Now Connect the Switch (15) in the Circuit and Put Conducting Tape (16) to Connect All the Wires Together.
Note: Please make sure that the wiring is done very carefully. The red wire (positive end) from the battery holder (13) must be connected to either one of the wires from the switch (15). The other free wire on the switch must be connected to the wire coming from the BO Motor (5). Now, the black wire on the battery holder must be connect to the other wire of the BO Motor. Ensure that these connections are taped together with the conducting tape.
Q. How does electricity flow in this setup?
A. Upon switching the switch on the electrons flow from the positive end of the battery to the BO Motor. The motor generates a circular motion which causes the shafts to spin.
Insert the Switch (15) in the Slot Provided on One of the Side Plates (2A or B).
Put All the Wires Inside the Body of the Robot. Attach the Setup Used in the Previous Step to the Inner Triangles (3) With the Zip Tie (17) Passing Through the Hole of the Inner Triangles (3).
Q. Why have we used zip-ties? Can I use tape?
A. We have used zip-ties to constrain the switch. You can use tape or any other material as well that can constrain the switch.
Switch on the Switch(15) and Let the Shafts(6) Attached to the Motor(5) Come in Vertically Upwards Direction, As Shown in the Picture. Stop the Switch(15) at This Position. in the Following Step, We Will Mount the Outer Triangles(4) in This Position.
Q. Why are the shafts stopped in the vertical upwards position?
A. So that they can be aligned easily with the outer triangles (4).
Mount the Outer Triangles(4) As Shown in the Picture.
Mount the Rings on Each of the Aluminum Pipes on Both the Sides As Shown in the Picture.
Note: Please make sure that it is exactly like the picture and there is enough space for the outer triangles to move freely on the pipes.
Q. Why have we used rings?
A. To stop the outer triangle from being completely removed from the bot.
Cover the Other End of the Robot Using the Remaining Side Plate(2) and Masking Tapes (12).
Take the Rubber Patch (11). Cut It Into Proper Sizes According to the Base of the Robot and the Base of the Two Outer Triangles(4). Stick These Pieces Using Araldite(10).
Q. Why have we used the rubber patch?
A. The rubber patch gives more grip to the walking bot.
Completion!
The robot build is now complete!
I hope you had fun making this Walking Bot!