Final Build

I sourced the acrylic for the final build from a scrap bin at the university; and with the assistance of the Assistant PM, Electronics Specialist, and Chief Designer; began the build process.

The first stage was to measure the components, create a design, and to cut the acrylic to size. Sophie and I did the first stage of this, and then Sophie created the robot design shown below. I was then able to cut the boards to size.


Picture Taken By Sophie Latham

Sophie then, with advice from the team, used the component sizes to mark out where all holes that required drilling should be positioned and the boards were given to Anand, in the condition shown in the picture below, for him to drill at home.


Picture Taken By Sophie Latham

The next stage was for me to cut out the slots for the robots arms and legs from the top piece, whilst Anand wired in the circuit to the lower piece of acrylic. Once this was complete, Daljinder sanded down the acrylic components and I designed a variable spacer to be placed between the sensor array circuit and the lower sheet of acrylic. This design is depicted below and as the bolts shown are tightened/loosened, the array is raise/lowered respectively. This design keeps the circuit under enough tension to keep it in place without risking damage. There was concern raised about the heat from the circuit melting the sponge, though these were quickly dismissed considering the low voltage and frequency at which the circuits operated.


Picture Taken By Sophie Latham and Edited By Mark Hawkins

The result of these processes is shown below.


Picture Taken By Sophie Latham

Sophie then, with some advice from me, finished her design by using my electrical tape, and part of a disco ball, to decorate the face plate on the top of our robot. This was then bolted down and the final assembly was complete, as depicted in the images below.


Picture Taken By Sophie Latham


Picture Taken By Anand Bhana

The caster wheel on the back of this final design turned out not to be fit for purpose. It was too heavy and caused the batteries to drain too quickly with little movement.

After much debate amongst the team, Sandra's design for a new back wheel was chosen and implemented, creating the final design shown below that was used in the final test.


Picture Taken By Sandra Donohoe