Stabilizing the Robot: Caster Wheels and Tracks
In this update, I review my design process for the caster wheels and caterpillar tracks I am 3D printing to stabilize the robot.
The Elegoo Tumbller is self-balancing, however, in efforts to increase its time navigating the obstacle course, I am adding stabilizing mechanisms to the robot.
First, I designed a straight-forward caster wheel assembly for the front-plate of the robot. I designed it so that it could be screwed into the plate, though the 3D print came out a hair shorter than anticipated and thus the caster is not flush with the plate, though it still connects well.
It took me several iterations to print the wheel, and the printer went in and out of control. I was going to print a backplate to stabilize the robot for falling backwards, though the thermistor blew in my printer, and a new one is not arriving for some time. So, I used a 3D printing pen instead, and while sloppy, it sufficed.
Below are the 3D printed parts.
I have been keen to design tracks for the tumbller to give the robot a lower center of gravity and better traction, though with my printer not cooperating, limited time, and limited parts, it is an uphill battle to finish it before the deadline, so I will perhaps continue this afterwards out of curiosity.
