Rover platform

This a rover platform that you can assemble choosing among many blocks that fit in the same mounting points, so you can adapt the design to what ever fits your needs the better.

NOTE: You can find the main page of the project, with the index of related links and articles here.

I thought it to be as symmetric as possible, allowing you to reuse many parts in different spots, for example, the front and back shells have the same mounting points, allowing you to print the Shell - RPi Camera for the front, and the Shell - Blank for the back part. Unless you want a camera in the back too. You could also print the Shell - Switch for the back, to control the power source of your rover.. Your imagination is the limit.

I am designing this in Sketchup, these files will be uploaded too, in case you want to design custom blocks yourself.

In this video, you can see in detail how to mount a track frame (One side of the robot) NOTE: Please let me know if you find issues on any of the parts, and if you would like me to create a specific block for any hardware you think could be useful.

Files description

InnerTrackFrame - DCMotor v0.3.stl

It is the block that holds this kind of DC motor. You need 4 of them.

CenterTrackFrame v0.3.stl

Is the block used to hold two InnerTrackFrames together You need 2 of them.

OuterTrackFrame v0.3 .stl

This block locks into the CenterTrackFrame and covers a wheel You need 4 of them.

Shell - Blank v0.2.stl

This block locks into the InnerTrackFrames. It is the front and/or back of the rover You need 2 Shell blocks of any type.

Shell - Switch v0.1.stl

This block locks into the InnerTrackFrames. It is the front and/or back of the rover It is design to host this kind of switch, to control the power of your rover You need 2 Shell blocks of any type.

Shell - RPi Camerav0.3.stl

This block locks into the InnerTrackFrames. It is the front and/or back of the rover It is design to host a Raspberry pi camera module You need 2 Shell blocks of any type.

Shell - RPi Camera Support v0.3.stl

This block locks inside the Shell - RPi Camera You only need it if you are also printing the Shell - RPi Camera.

Track v0.1.stl

This block is one link of the track chain. You need print 27 per side (54 in total)

Cog - Drive v0.1.stl

This block is what moves the track You need 4 of them.

Spindle - DC Motor v0.3.stl

This is what links a motor to its Cog You need 1 per each InnerTrackFrame - DCMotor you have (so 4 in total) Cover - Blank - v3.stlThis block acts as base or cap (top or bottom) of your rover You need 2 Cover blocks of your choice.

Notes:

The settings depend on the part you are printing.

Cog should be printed with Support, and I printed it also with brim, but just because the support was not sticking to the bed. If you dont have this problem, then you don't need the brim (but print it with support) Shell: I printed without supports, and with 0.3 mm resolution InnerTrackFrame: No supports, 0.3 mm resolution CenterTrackFrame: No supports, 0.3 mm resolution OuterTrackFrame: No supports, 0.3 mm resolution Tracks: No support, 0.2mm resolution

Post-Printing To assemble this rover you will need the some M3 Screws. I bought mine from here. I used M3x10, but you can use something a little shorter too. I did not use nuts, but if you could, if you find the screw is not fasten enough