How to Build an Ant Weight Robot

The following is a guide to building a simple ANT weight robot.

All you need to build an ANT.

Equipment List

Choice of Equipment.

I would recommend using the cheapest radio gear available.

A 2 channel, 27 MHz set is fine to start with.

You may need 3 channel if your weapon needs a servo.

Try to buy the smallest servos and Rx that you can afford.

The battery that we use is 4 cells cut from a PP9 9 volt rechargeable battery.

The best source for parts are broken toys or models from garage / car boot sales.

Remember plastic is lighter than metal.

Modifying the servos.

This is the hardest part to building an ant.

A useful guides can be found at Technology Index. and at Acroname Inc.

Otherwise - open the servo, cut off the plastic peg that links the gearbox to the pot. reassemble the servo.

Building the ANT

The wheels are screwed directly to the servo spindle - our wheels are from a scrap toy.

Remove the Receiver from its case to reduce weight.

We stick the parts together directly with hot glue. This allows them to be repositioned and helps to keep the weight down.

ANT Schematic Diagram.

The above diagram is for the simplest ANT.

It does not show an active weapon. The simplest weapon is made from a servo and plugged into a spare channel on the receiver.

Notes Specific to our ANTS;

Flipper

The flipper is activated by a micro-switch on the forks - no operator control - no need, less weight.

The pneumatic valve we use is a Mead Isonic valve

The pneumatic rams are 5ml syringes.

The air reservoir is from a Kinder Egg.

Scorch

The tracks are Fischer Technik - brilliant stuff if you can find it!

The Blowlamp is a Blazer Mini Burner.

General Tips

As with all robot combat, think of a weapon before you start building.

Save weight where possible e.g. remove cases (Rx), drill holes, etc.

Keep it simple - Do it well - Less is more.

 

Stay Safe - Happy Building.