Document Type
Undergraduate Project
Date of Degree Completion
Spring 2023
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Committee Chair
Charles Pringle, PE
Second Committee Member
Dr. John Choi
Third Committee Member
Mr. Chris Berkshire
Abstract
In the sport of combat robotics, the goal is to build a robot that can incapacitate an opposing robot before it becomes incapacitated itself. For this project, a combat robot was designed and tested to compete in Western Allied Robotics’ first competition at Central Washington University. The robot was built to compete in the beetle weight class which means the entire robot had to weigh less than 3 lbs.
To ensure the robot was competitive, a number of important design choices were made. Firstly, an effort was made to ensure that the design was simple and easy to take apart and put back together in the event that parts needed to be replaced. Secondly, durable, yet light materials were selected such as TPU and carbon fiber so that the robot could survive impacts while being under the 3 lb. weight limit. Finally, a kinetic weapon that could output a lot of energy due to its high mass moment of inertia and rotational velocity.
The robot was able to drive at a speed of 6 mph. The time it took to replace the most tedious electronic component was 6.67 mins. Finally, the weapon blade deflected 0.0441 in. under a 500 lb. load.
Recommended Citation
Buxton, Riley, "Combat Robot" (2023). All Undergraduate Projects. 230.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/undergradproj/230