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  • Author Author: Former Member
  • Date Created: Date Created
  • Views 544 views
  • Likes 1 like
  • Comments 4 comments
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RaspPian Front Battle Tank (Pi Rack Connect Four Challenge)

Former Member

highly inspired by Ian Rentons Raspberry tank build (http://raspberrytank.ianrenton.com/ ) I am now set to make it bigger and better.

The final tank is to be built from real steel, in scale of 1/12, using custom built and machined parts.

Powered by two heavy duty R/C electric engines for tracks, one smaller one for the turret and an array of batteries, it should be able to ram through most obstacles.

I'm actually going to use 2 raspberry Pi -boards for the build, one placed in the hull, controlling power usage, movement and turret turning, second placed in the turret, controlling the weapon system.

Both boards will be equipped with camera modules.

The gun will (possibly) have a target follow-up automation system and hopefully gyros to keep it stable during movement.

the gun will be either airsoft gun-based or possibly even air gun -based, depending how the reloading can be sorted in such a small space.

 

pretty much the more stuff I can fit in there, the better.

 

pics to come once I get something worth publishable done.

  • in reply to Former Member

    Sami

    Given the deadline, I'd concentrate on making it move without suspension.

    You can easily simultate the outputs obtainable from the RPi/PiRack/PiFace to at least get it moving.

     

    You should be able to use torsion bars on the various axles to obtain tuneable suspension with large travel.

    Oscillating pairs in the middle will also allow give when running over bumps or hollows.

     

     

    Mark

  • in reply to lbittner

    I'd love to post more progress, but I'm missing most of my pieces still (including the pirack I won), and my pifaces haven't arrived. There's been few problems with the real steel parts as well, creating suspension to sustain the total weight and the possible speeds the tank will run is proving to be a bit more challenging that I first thought it would be. Yes we knew the tank will weight a lot image software atleast is going somewhere.

  • in reply to mcb1

    Hi Sami,

     

    We're intrigued by your idea and hope to see more soon! Remember, the challenge closes on October 18th. We'd love to see your step-by-step progress.

     

    Lauren

  • Sami

    It looks like an impresive project.

     

    For the Pi Rack, just make sure to support the tops of the boards, to stop the connectors flexing which could lead to intermittant problems.

    I made a note here in my review.

     

    Mounting

    There are 4 mounting holes provided to secure the unit, however clearance for the Input cabling should be considered, as the photo above shows.

    I'm not sure about permanently mounting the RPi or the PiFace Digital without some additional support that holds the boards at the correct spacing.

    It is not good practice to use the connector as a sole means of support, as any flexing/movement is transferred back and results in the solder joint cracking.

     

    Mark