PLUG

Yeah, those large cleats have an absurd price, due to the hard-to-find nature of the only set they come in. The small cleats that come with the 70317 (11) have a lower price, which should get lower as its set becomes more widespread.

Another ideia for an exposition:

(by Oracid )

[quote="AVCampos"]
The small cleats that come with the 70317 (11) have a lower price, which should get lower as its set becomes more widespread.[/quote]
You need 2 for each track element, so it is more expensive.

Maybe if you use 1 per link in an alternating pattern, similarly to the D-joints, it won't be so expensive. Anyway, I believe this part will become more common, both from its set becoming more widespread and more sets appearing that include it, so it should also become cheaper.

Still, IMO by far the most elegant and effective solution is your use of the D-joints inserted in the sides of the links.

[quote="csiquet"]
Another ideia for an exposition:
(by Oracid )[/quote]

Christophe made a Crawler Challenger circuit, almost 2 years ago, we've been using it since in our LUG exhibitions ("BRInCKa")


I think he's taking ideas from your "Mars field" - something like that would certainly bring public attention

Indeed, we have been trying to interact with the public and your circuit would be a good one for that.

J’ai regardé la vidéo, c’est magnifique, on se croirait vraiment sur Mars !
Je suis très flatté que mon circuit puisse vous inspirer.
L’avantage est qu’il est très léger. Cela ressemble à du carton, mais en fait, ce sont des feuilles de plastique qui servent de séparation entre les étages de pack de bouteilles d’eau de marque  Hépar. Ces feuilles sont très fines, très robustes et elles se plient très bien.
La structure de pente est faite avec des tréteaux que j'ai couché. Les bouteilles en plastique, ce sont des pierres, mais bon... cela fait un peu détritus, mais pour tester l'accroche, c'est excellent et c'est propre.

In this video, I propose a solution for crossing the nose of the first step of a stair.
My solution consisting of 4 small fixed arm, which does not increase the complexity of control, unlike the mobile arms.
The other advantage of this solution is that it does not require an increase in the height of the tank which would have required an heavy rigidification of the structure.

http://youtu.be/f7oeTAercCA

Very nice! I wonder if the added weight from articulated arms would be offset by the possibility of having a shorter (and therefore lighter) main body, as the arms, when horizontal, could contribute to the length of the vehicle during the stair climbing?

You are perfectly right, but after the first step, small arms are no longer useful unless we accept a swaying tank during the climb.
This project coming to an end, the goal is reached. I will start a new, more ambitious project, probably with a EV3 and 8 motors and may be a small articulated arm, we'll see.
Thank you.

I just stumbled upon another design: the Chaos High Mobility Robot. Michael Brandl made a LEGO version (automated translation here), which IMHO is a bit over-engineered (three NXTs!?), but should be doable with two PF receivers or one SBrick.


[edit] I didn't pay enough attention to all the images... it turns out that one NXT and three motors are used for the controller, not the vehicle itself.

Yes, I know this alternative. Unfortunately, this requires a human brain or sensors, a computer and a good program.
I was looking for a more suitable solution for difficult environment like a Mars field.