🚀 go-pugleaf

In <gate.1FiNoB1w165w@toz.buffalo.ny.us> cyberman@toz.buffalo.ny.us (Cyberman) writes:

[yunk deleted]

> DW> Simplicity?  On a 6-legged robot?  I don't think it's possible.  A 
> DW> really crude 6-legger would need 6 motors to move the legs around one
> DW> axis (of course, I'm ignoring the two-motor variety, but that sort
> DW> of "walker" robot is pratically the same as a treaded robot)  To make
        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> DW> a really neat robot, you're going to want to have the legs move with
> DW> two degrees of freedom, implying 12 motors.  I suppose you could use
> DW> RC-type servo motors, but the thing is not going to be really strong
> DW> (unless you want to pay big bucks for the big servos).

>    I've some super simple designs in email, but nothing that
>    would be as capable as the "2 degree of freedom" design you
>    suggest.

> DW> Somehow I think I'm going to get flamed... "what?  I've got eight
> DW> 3" by 4" six-leggers munching on my ankles right now!  All are powered
> DW> by watch batteries, and use a 4-bit processor!  You're an idiot"

>Actually I'm not flameing you.  However the designs suggested
>that though not nearly as versatile that it is possible to create
>a robot that can be controled with 6 legs and 2 motors.  [like a
>track vehical] which is really all I needed.  Though not fancy it
>should be suitable.

   (Maybe I should have put in a :-) ?)  Look back at my first paragraph.
I mentioned this sort of design in passing.  I have a nice set of plans
from some old magazine sitting somewhere, but it just did not appeal to
me - it's not really a 6-legger, just a "walking" machine.  As a matter
of fact, my article includes a way to modify the thing to be a tank-type
treaded robot, also.  I've played with treaded robots, and like them quite
a bit (my favorite was one my roomate built out of lego parts from the 
suer-advanced technical kits.   Which reminds me - I can't find Lego tank
treads anywhere!  I wanted to build a bigger version, but the things just
don't exist...  Did they have to stop making 'em?)

   I guess I've got the problem that I'm bored with treaded and 6-wheeled
"skid steer" robots and want to play with legged critters now.

> DW> Seriously, a six-legger that had been stripped down to reduce it's
> DW> complexity seems like it would just not be that much fun to fiddle
> DW> with. On the other hand, I couldn't come up with any mechanism for a
> DW> six  legger with each leg having two degrees of freedom that wouldn't
> DW> cost an arm and a ... leg?  (uuupppphhh!  pun not intended)

>perhaps the use of a peizo electric material in long strips to
>control "lift" with a spring to counter balance it and a another
>to control rotation.  I know the japanese have a plastic material
>that acts this way but piezo materail has a very short "stroke"

   yeah, maybe, but it's gonna cost some bucks.  I'm a hobbyist, after
all.  Low cost is the most important thing.

>        Stephen Cyberman@Toz.Buffalo.NY.US
>        Scripted at Tue  07-28-1992  17:46:08

>... This tagline stolen from Bill Rost via Stephen Phillips
>--- Blue Wave/QWK v2.10
>                                                                 
-- 
      Dave Williams                                              My 
        dwilliam@jabba.ess.harris.com                         opinions	 
           "Huh?  What?  Could you repeat the question?"        only.