[Swlug] Robotics

[Rhys Sage]

Slightly out of the pure software realm...

I have a ton of sensors,motors, gears etc as well as different flavours of microcontroller. That's all well and good but without a framework to build them onto, I'm just playing with whizzy things that spin on the desk to no purpose. In other words, just toys.

I want some physical structures to house it all. I'm really not quite sure which direction to head in. Bear in mind I'm trying to keep both the robotics and any equipment used in construction to 12v as my microcontroller lab is in my bus-camper-conversion where I have 12v available but not mains.

Meccano seems hard to come by and designed for chunkier applications. Lego Technik is more available but again,designed for chunkier applications and needs its own motors and servoes etc. I already have RC compatible motors, servoes etc.

I looked at aluminium strip - that's cheap and I can put a 12v drill press with no problem. I'd get swarf and the aluminium would be recyclable. 

I've also looked at 3D printers. Small 3D printers run off 12v and structural components could be made in pieces and screwed together.

In terms of cost there's very little to choose between all 4 alternatives. The 3D printer probably uses the most power.

Have I missed any alternatives that I should be looking at?

Rhys Sage