Blastwave I

1lb Drum Spinner (2019)

For an overview of Blastwave as a design, please go here

Blastwave I CAD Blastwave I Physical

Watch the build video here! (this one is old and I'm pretty disappointed with it now)

Blastwave I was my first combat robot that incorporated 3d printing and custom 3d modeling. It was modeled in Fusion 360 during the spring of 2019, and competed at SCRC Kilobots Nationals in August 2019. After a disappointing showing, this robot would be swiftly retired and work begun on Blastwave II.

This robot was originally supposed to have massive tires, the Botkits Wheels, but these proved to have too much grip, and the small motors were unable to turn the robot. These were swapped out for the Fingertech Hubs.

In addition, the robot was supposed to have a "beater bar" weapon, which is a rectangular-ish bar, but this proved to be too expensive to manufacture, and a simple cylindrical drum was used instead, as this could be easily made with a lathe.

Fights

Watch the fights here!

Lobotomy (Undercutter)

Blastwave I Vs Lobotomy

Lobotomy's undercutter hit my lids, knocking the bottom lid off and getting tangled in my weapon belt. As my bottom lid was off, and my battery was now dragging around (the worst place when fighting an undercutter!), Blastwave was disqualified due to a fire hazard.

Taserface (Vertical Saw/Spinner)

Blastwave I Vs Taserface

Loss by judges' decision after a long, drawn out fight, where I may or may not have driven into one of the hazards and lost my whole weapon assembly. That may have cost me the match, but I would have had to drop out after since I couldn't get it driving again. due to motors getting jammed with plastic

Good Things

  • It could still push even when it was on the back foot
  • Decently maneuverable

Flaws

  • Motors were fragile and broke often, though rarely in matches
  • Lid easily pulled off
  • No weapon bearings used due to time constraints
  • Weapon had spinup issues
  • Wiring was a mess

Parts

  • N20_Gearmotor (gear ratio lol)
  • Fingertech_Power_Switch
  • VEX_MC29_ESC
  • Lemon_RX_Receiver
  • Turnigy_Multistar_Viking_4100KV
  • Turnigy_Plush_32 (20A)
  • Lipo_Battery (2s 400mAh)
  • Fingertech_Hubs
Click here to view Blastwave II