Copperhead Battlebot Preview

[@teamgetwreckedcombatrobots776]

First Team Panic gets into Battlebots (as a part of Team Gemini) and now you? I’m so happy to see that two of the robot combat KZbinrs I’ve watched for years are finally getting a chance to show what they can do at the biggest and most well known robot fighting competition in the world. Good luck to you and the rest of the guys behind CopperHead!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

The experience was great. It's good being a member of a team to see how it all works.

[@AleksandrMotsjonov]

For metric fans. It's 113 kg. size: 50 cm x 50 cm x 22 cm. Drum weight is ~ 22kg. Speed of a tip 265 kmh

[@FaithfulMC]

50x75x23*

[@TheInflicted]

1:06 Your logo reminds me of a late-'70s/early '80s rollercoaster.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Great, that's what we were going for!

[@RentableSocks]

I'm scared for that poor little belt driving the drum!

[@scootergeorge9576]

Some slippage is desirable in case the weapon is stalled. The motor can continue to spin and not go up in smoke.

[@RentableSocks]

@@scootergeorge9576 Slippage is not what I'm worried about, I'd be worried about a full break. How much kinetic energy will be dumped into that belt in the event that it hits a 250 lb bot? Also the belt is toothed, which makes slippage less likely, if anything it'll break itself or get hit by something.

[@5thearth]

He mentions in the video its supposed to have 2 belts but they don't have one yet.

[@RentableSocks]

@@5thearth I must have missed that, makes me feel better about it, thanks.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

2 belts, and belts are surprisingly strong. they are usually woven with kevlar fibers and it takes quite a bit to make them fail. hopefully they hold up!

[@Outland9000]

Thanks for giving us a nice tour of the machine! Very cool. 25.4mm AR450! This thing is built like an APC.

[@QueenVoodo0]

I’m hyped to see copperhead

[@grahamkingston210]

Dead axles, dead axles, dead axles. Absolutely the right way to go, that thing should be a tank. Can’t wait to see it on the big screen.

[@stupidity6397]

You totally need to do a damage/fight overview once all your fights air on battlebots

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I'm still trying to figure out how to do this, but I will end up doing SOMETHING.

[@Luetchy10]

Battlebots is scheduled to begin June 7 on the Discovery Channel.

[@Crazyoldman84]

Thanks👍

[@SueMyChin]

Beyond the weapon belt I'd also be a bit concerned about the exposed bolts holding the weapon bar in place. That said there's no perfect design, can't wait to see this in action! Good luck man!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

The bolts on the side are SLIGHTLY covered by the side fin things. Thankfully, this season has very few horizontal spinners, and we're hoping the angled sides of the front forks will help drive the weapon into our drum, and not into the side.

[@MegGriffin45]

I'm really liking Copperhead. It's one of the new robots that I'm looking forward to seeing in action. I can't wait to see how you guys do on Battlebots this season.

[@nfsfanAndrew]

Only thing that worries me so far is how well the weapon drive belts will hold up. The rest looks pretty solid.

[@TC-uy8ng]

We'll see Copperhead in action for the first time tonight on Discovery. I'm hyped. This thing looks like a beast.

[@yousefmansy2880]

My main concern is that exposed belt. Do you think a small belt cover would protect it from shrapnel and whatnot? (maybe also keep debris from going in towards the main chamber through the large gap where the belt passes through?) Also maybe some hubcaps that cover the sides of the wheels so some of the blows will defect off of metal rather than chew into the rubber? Whatever happens I'm super excited to see what Copperhead can do!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Exposed belts are hard to deal with. You have two options, keep the belt exposed or hide it. If you hide it, whatever is protecting or hiding it can get crushed and cause the same sort of issues. So Zach decided to just keep it bare. We'll see how that works out!

[@yousefmansy2880]

@@RobertCowanDIY yeah I was thinking that's why you guys decided to do that. I doubt you want your belt crimped under some sheet metal.

[@StanislavJochman]

Can you make video about moulding wheels?

[@scootergeorge9576]

Sure beats molding lemons...

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I didn't mold the wheels, but I am planning on learning the process myself (now that I've seen kinda how it's done), so I will for sure make a video about this, but I need to become more familiar with the process and make some of my own. But when I do, there will be a video.

[@StanislavJochman]

@@RobertCowanDIY Thanks for answer. I am looking towards that video.

[@davidashworth5740]

Great bot and great breakdown video of everything involved for the build, good luck for 2019!

[@mr.muffindan.m3367]

I kinda wanna see the drum destroy a anxiety attack frame. As a joke on the power difference between the weight classes, and a flashback of the beautiful self destruction anxiety attack did

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I don't think there would be much to see :-) The drum is about 100 times the weight. I would expect the air coming off the drum would blow the chassis away (seriously). It probably doesn't weigh enough to get in a good bite.

[@TheDominusIgnis]

Very nice to see this detailed look at Copperhead! Looking forward to seeing how it does :)

[@101rotarypower]

Was fun to finally see it in action! It appeared there was a welded line on the back heavy side of the weapon? Was this for fine balancing, or something less intuitive or perhaps a deceptive feature on screen?

[@brian2k1]

Congrats! I can't wait to see it in action and cheer you guys on! Also I hope you will be able to make it down to Orlando Maker Fair in November with it!

[@92lesabre]

I'm more worried about the back of your bot more than the belt driving your weapon. If the back of your bot is hit hard enough will it cause those 2 switches to turn off? Maybe add a "Tombstone"(as seen in the Death Race movies on the back of the Ford Mustang) defense plate on the rear!!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

This is not a concern. The switches don't just 'turn off' unless they get completely destroyed.

[@BathTubNZ]

Always enjoy the great videos you do.

[@Draconamous]

I would say the exposed chains for the tired could be a problem when it comes to hammers or picks... But nightmare is a mainstay and had one in the open for years. Also the side plates seem kinda thin just behind the wheel protectors. If you face tombstone and he hits in just the right spot... No idea what will happen, but it will make a highlight of the year for sure. Good luck out there. Pretty looking robot.

[@JonathanRansom]

Woo! Hope the season is available to buy on Amazon!

[@potterfan392]

This bot is cold-blooded and has a heart of steel. It's... Copperhead!

[@coltonmcgraw5328]

YES, I've been waiting SO LONG!

[@DesktopMakes]

Awesome! Looking forward to seeing this masterpiece in action. Team Copperhead all the way!

[@paskokelava2795]

Great job. Good luck.

[@trkoo]

Why is the main weapon belt so tiny my first thought. But then i think about it, it only needs to be thick enough to support the maximum torque of the weapon drive. I guess if you cover it up a little you should be fine.

[@JustinAlexanderBell]

Wow that thing is a monster, nice work.

[@MrDksmall]

We missed you at ARC last weekend, but you were busy with Copper Head. Good luck!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Thanks David!

[@Anthony-we3ne]

Didn’t you guys make poison arrow?

[@thunderd7904]

Those wheels are a prime target for minotaur’s drum. Just saying, might wanna add some kinda guards. Also, I’ve never understood why builders don’t just put tiny wheels under the bot and use that as the main mode of transport like SOW or chrome fly or some bot like that. Can someone explain that to me? Is there a reason for big, exposed wheels other than to be compatible when flipping over? And if that’s the main reason, why not have 2 sets of wheels on both the top and the bottom?

[@Coboxite]

Because weight limits are a bitch

[@kenrobertson8239]

I was there in the audience for one of your matches! Was a great fight! Promise no spoilers though.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Awesome! That's the goal, put on a good show.

[@Aluhcav]

Good Luck, rooting for you!

[@AlecM.]

I can't wait to see this robot in action! Looking forward to watching all of its fights, and I hope Copperhead kicks some robot butt!

[@timmyreobed5043]

I’m a little worried about the metal chunks pointing towards the tire, but it’s overall a really cool design.

[@KK3DTechnology]

Very good job sir

[@sudarshansalian8110]

Plzz make a video on tha machining and design process of your drum design which is ossam plzz

[@eformance]

If you're concerned about arcing and inrush current, you should have a main contactor with silver contacts. The arcing happens when the contacts open, not close.

[@nocare]

You are correct for things like sprung switches on generous constant current loads like a light. Manually operated switches that only move as fast as the human does, especially that feed capacitors, will arc when closing. Also those with capacitors don't generally arc much or at all when disconnecting since the capacitors keep both sides of the connection at a similar voltage. Every time I plug a 6s or higher batt in it arcs unless I have installed a similar system which for some of our drones we do.

[@commanderkyou3273]

Looks great, can't wait to see it fight, Only thing I would have not done with the design is having the bits stick out on the top panel, they are just waiting to get caught by vertical spinners. Hope you win. c:

[@straw-hatsnivy5749]

Cool! Good Luck!!

[@mself3538]

Awesome! Not sure about copperhead, looks more like an angel of death! Look forward to seeing it in action.

[@TheRealMichaelAndretti]

Battlebots on this friday... good luck kiddo!! shed on and send it!!

[@battlebotnate3147]

Saw copperhead in person

[@gustavoprieto1785]

Hermoso robot, gracias por el vídeo

[@lowlifeangler]

It's a industrial grinder in manufacturing with no safety guards and wheel , OSHA would love that

[@slushofice]

much love rooting for you guys all the way top 16 is calling copperheads name!!!

[@CaptainXJ]

Some bananas are bigger than others.

[@Outland9000]

😏 true.

[@jennywallace9087]

Wow thats awesome!

[@korn6657]

Good lord that bot look fucking stacked as hell.

[@daan3898]

Good luck at battle bots, I hope you get far! looks very deadly.

[@caganali4712]

I think I will enjoy watching a small robot beating much bigger bots up :)

[@233Deadman]

Please let them give us Copperhead vs Mammoth...

[@joell439]

Best of luck!

[@drawingman3342]

I think the Copperhead bot is also a cool bot with a very detailed design.😍 I have a question regarding the Copperhead bot. The front of the Copperhead bot features a large drum spinner weapon that spins at high rpm. When manufacturing a drum spinner, is a bearing surrounding the shaft necessarily included?🤔

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I'm not sure what you mean? The bearings aren't included and they are very necessary. Some teams run less bearings and they have problems. Riptide only started doing well because they copied this design and added more bearings.

[@drawingman3342]

@@RobertCowanDIYSo, does a drum weapon that spin at high rpm also have to have bearings?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

@@drawingman3342 I'm not sure what you're asking, but all spinning weapons need a bearing.

[@k2_robotics]

Hi Robert, this is a robotics fan from Spain in Europe. 2 years from this video, houpfully you can check this comment out and answer a little question about the weapon motor. Wich kv has the motor that you use? I've seen in the web that they build 8038 motors from 75 to 179kv's. I've also noticed in a most recent videos that you have changed the motor, is this right? Are you using a higher rev motor with a reduction pulleys? Thanks mate.

[@turbo4g639]

cant wait to watch on tv

[@GamingWithCriknFish]

I love copper head he,s been my second favorite

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Who's your favorite?

[@joshbliss]

What about a wedge in the back?

[@EleanorPeterson]

Rather than a sleek scaly snake paint-job, I think that design would look terrific with a full beard and glasses...

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Haha. Well, it's not 'my' bot though ;-)

[@jasongrabowski920]

I am concerned about the exposed belt. It just seems like something that would be prone to tension problems as it breaks in, or getting broken during a match. Personally I would have it be chain with a cover. But like you said you are close to weight. Another thing that concerns me is that switch on the exterior. Just seems like a bad idea to me. (could be broken during a match). Everything else looks absolutely solid though. Hope you guys do well. Best of luck!

[@Outland9000]

Oh, cool! A new season of Battle Bots. They kept that quiet. No doubt I will have to watch illegal uploads in the UK since it doesn't get shown here.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

You can get it legally a number of ways. I am almost positive they will have it on Amazon Prime. There are also numerous VPNs you could use.

[@Outland9000]

@@RobertCowanDIY Hopefully it will be on Amazon.

[@eformance]

Do yo have any assurances about the quality of the floor of the arena? If it's plywood, I fear your wedge nose will just get stuck or rip up sections of wood. I'd put at least a 1/4" radius on the edge, to help it glide over small obstructions.

[@aarondcmedia9585]

Yeah crippling depression suffered from that very thing.

[@233Deadman]

The floor of the Battlebox is steel plates, the main issues are either getting caught on the Killead slots, or if Tombstone rips up the floor again.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

The undersides can be ground with a small chamfer to deal with that issue. We like to start out sharp, assess the floor, and adjust as necessary. You have a day or two between fights, so it's easy to change things up.

[@The_Curious_Cat]

Exposed belt, exposed wheels... I guess Tombstone is going to love it.

[@Outland9000]

Perhaps... Last time Tombstone hit something made from 25mm steel it almost broke itself.

[@silverhead8243]

I think the belt is very thin. Hope you good luck.

[@Radovanslav]

that's why they're using 2 of them. This stuff is usually stronger than it seems at first

[@RobertCowanDIY]

@@Radovanslav Very true. The belts are appropriately sized and are much stronger than you'd think.

[@jyotishmanbharali3757]

Waiting for an in depth review.

[@Dannerrrr]

Let's see who catches that drive belt first. The other main danger I see is your front wedge not working well enough, thereby avoiding hitting your weapon.

[@TheBlueStarGal2]

I always forget how big these bots really are, lol. They look so small in the box....

[@blizzard2508-k7n]

I want everything to be measured in bananas now...

[@JosephHarner]

Awesome robot, and I hope it does well! I don't like the side armor, though... those protrusions make it far too easy for another bot's weapon to bite into for a solid hit. I would expect this bot's armor to be particularly bad against horizontal spinners. Turning solid hits into glancing blows is far more effective than catching the entire blow on monolithic armor plates. That the weapon spins on bearings also worries me. The stationary axle seems a great design choice, but I would much rather see bushings used, to better absorb the impacts. A larger guide for the weapon belts to ride in could reduce the chance of throwing a belt during impacts. Some form of armor for the belt is also worthwhile, to stop flukes like Chomp's lucky hit on Biteforce's weapon chain.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

At this level, bushings would disintegrate on impact. Also, belts don't flex all that much, if properly tensions.

[@hishadi4998]

I would like to see you go up against bronco for your first fight,but let's see what ends up happening

[@JoshuaJapitan]

I'd like to raise a concern regarding the inrush current limiter circuit switch, what would happen if it would get a direct hit?

[@nocare]

The switch is in parallel. Once the keyed power switches are in the on position that switch will do nothing when pressed or released. Is like a dimmer switch with two positions; that switch turns all the lights on to low limiting max current and while still holding it you turn the lights to high. You let go and the lights stay on high.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

As Jarett said, it's in parallel. The whole circuit can disintegrate and it doesn't matter. It's just a 'pre-charge' and doesn't actually interfere with the power delivery at all. It can be 100% removed without issue.

[@patrickmurphy1430]

I would love to know what setting you played with with the vesc cause we are trying to use one for a weapon motor in a smaller weight class

[@vincentlewis3313]

Copperhead needs some wheel guards and drive belts with six wheel drive for battlebots 2020

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Build it and come fight us.

[@ManIkWeet]

That dual belt looks like something that's going to break a lot...

[@RobertCowanDIY]

You guys REALLY need to hold off and watch the show before you decide what breaks and what doesn't break ;-)

[@oreos12345]

Yesssss im so excited seeing you in battlebootttsssss aaagagagaggggh

[@JoshPCsAndTech]

Hi thanks for the video!! I'm building a small drum spinner and I don't know what bearings to use, when you say spherical do you mean standard ball bearings? Or a double row spherical roller bearing?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Well, it depends. It depends on what you're trying to do. There are many types of bearings. But yes, I'm referring to double roll spherical roller bearings.

[@TheWolfsfang1]

I noticed some very nice looking metal storage drawers in the background. Are they custom or commercially available? If it's the former... well crap... if it's the later. Where might I find them? Thank you!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

They are made by Durham Manufacturing. You can get them on Amazon, they're relatively cheap (for what they are).

[@angelic1de]

I want to see Copper head (aka you) vs Deep Six.

[@Brute4rce1111]

Very cool robot! Quick question, was there a particular design reason for using 2 belts on the weapon instead of one big serpentine belt?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

We originally had a single belt, but couldn't find a serpentine belt in this size, so we went with two.

[@Brute4rce1111]

@@RobertCowanDIY Neato. I originally thought that it was some sort of redundancy in case one failed during battle, because I had seen other bot builders use two belts on their spinner as well.

[@cappedpluto7638]

I can already feel those belts breaking in combat

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I feel like I should do a whole video just about belts. These things are much stronger than you guys are realizing.

[@locyfish]

So, what's the story behind the name? You just like snakes, or something deeper? I was half expecting some exotic copper alloy drum. I enjoyed watching you at the fight I attended!

[@bishipc117]

I was wondering as part of a weapon system can you have a gripper or some sort of electromagnet on the front of your robot that would grab the robot that you’re attacking hold it and then push some sort of weapon or drum spinning mechanism into the robot to damage it. Is that something that is legal or okayed to do in battle bots.

[@Coboxite]

You could, but it adds unnecessary weight and only works on steel bots when most of the current crop are usually titanium or aluminum.

[@RennieAsh]

That's basically like a sawblade type thing. Gripping a bot though can be difficult and then the shock from the spinning weapon would transfer into your grips. Or, just push a spike into them like that Spectre thing.

[@mw4222]

Great vid! Really keen on how the drive motors work out. When doing calcs, how much torque do you assume those 63XX motors have?

[@Moakmeister]

A 1:1 weapon drive? Is that a good idea?

[@Coboxite]

If you have a big enough motor

[@Outland9000]

If the wattage is sufficient to accelerate the drum up in a reasonable amount of time, sure.

[@chickenstriprobotics3161]

The next Minotaur: copperhead

[@wingcommanderfalcon5035]

We don’t get battlebots in the U.K. are there any other streaming services that show it? Also can record behind the scenes of battlebots so we get to see it from you.

[@RyanMartin1]

Amazon prime does in USA. No idea if they give it to the UK

[@cadenkorzan]

that motor you have for the weapon, i saw it is an out runner and just wondering are you able to push the axle through the other side of it like an e-flight motor? I'm wondering this because how it is set up the motor tends to break unless of you push the axle through the other way? also a 1 to 1 ratio on the weapon? you are sure that isn't going to fry your esc or motor, or stress the motor out? other than that for you first time at battle bots I think you are going to do great. good luck although you probably won't need it :)

[@Coboxite]

Just looking at how the Neumotor is engineered, reversing the shaft is not happening without heavy modification on an already expensive motor

[@flames1592]

Hey Robert I have a question, I'm knew to the use of esc and I was wondering, I have 3 motors with 6 battery wires in total, 3 red 3 black, could I connect all red wires together and all black wires together and then attach them to the battery in order to power the 3 esc's

[@nocare]

Yes you can just make sure you have done the math and that the battery can handle the amps you are demanding. Also make sure the gauge of wire you use is thick enough. A good rule of thumb is the gauge should equal your battery gauge until a split between two or more equal loads. Then it can drop by a little less than half the cross section, since current between two equal loads is half. Not half the gauge mind you as gauge is diameter cross section is area.

[@J_L22]

Awesome design philosophy but Predictions: The chain that drives the wheels can get hit. The belt will definitely get chopped apart by something, disabling the main weapon. The wheels will get gouged and the resulting lump will stop them from being able to turn.

[@aserta]

I still don't get why people aren't making metal wheels with rubber inserts. Those are impossible to destroy short of direct impact (and at that point, you've got bigger fish to hang and worry bout). All the designs i've seen, with rubber wheels exposed, went to chunk town and in general all rubber wheels get chewed up.

[@Coboxite]

@@aserta Rubber wheels get chunks torn out but stay round, metal wheels deform and are never round again

[@foreverendeavors6210]

What is the maximum weight they can be? I believe steel is absolutely the way to go..

[@RobertCowanDIY]

250. Actually, aluminum is used quite often. Biteforce, the two-time champ, is almost all aluminum (except for the weapon of course). There are benefits to all materials. Steel is strong, but also incredibly heavy. Aluminum is significantly lighter, but less strong, and titanium is a good balance, but very expensive.

[@foreverendeavors6210]

@@RobertCowanDIY yessir, I have always imagined something like what you have here, I believe it will prove to be an asset, the only area i see as vulnerable to electronics/drive is the rear, but what do I know, and of course the weight limits....

[@battleaquamarine6569]

Hope you do well.

[@goatee21]

Can it drive inverted? Edit he answered at the end. It can

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Correct. And as long as the weapon is spinning, it can self-right with the gyroscopic forces.

[@carlosceluriantorreblanca4244]

Awesome. One question. Aren't you worry of something cutting or damaging the belt drive?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

That's always a concern, but the tooth of the drum sticks out pretty far, it would be a really great hit if they could get to the belts and not the drum.

[@carlosceluriantorreblanca4244]

@@RobertCowanDIY That would be massive hit if they manage to get that close. I was thinking on a Hamer Style robot that can stabe form about. But i guess that a belt cover means something else that could fly around and get your spinning head jam. Best of luck on the competition, you got a sweet design design.

[@davidriley7659]

GL - i hope you go well. btw is that belt thickness going to be enough for the drum?

[@calebsherman886]

The belts look so small lol

[@Crazyoldman84]

It is small

[@supernooby6225]

I think this little boy could be able to beat tombstone

[@dreamchaser4340]

Not a chance

[@jeevanshrestha8888]

what are the drive electronics ? the motors and the escs ?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

generic 6384 sensored brushless motor and trampa 6+ VESC.

[@jeevanshrestha8888]

@@RobertCowanDIY just curious..... can we use two of the output for drive and the third output for the weapon..... from this vesc www.trampaboards.com/single-vesc-75v-300a-in-cnc-t6-silicone-sealed-aluminum-box--the-most-powerful-vedder-electronic-speed-controller-ever-p-26293.html

[@hishadi4998]

Copperhead is just one of those robots you want in your room(at least for me), and honestly,I quite prefer this sleek white coloring,but that's not to say that the copperhead now is ugly,definitely not

[@aserta]

Unrelated, but considering how much technology has evolved in the past decade, i think we're really far behind making scaled down tanks and battling them, complete with armor and live rounds. FPV, RC, GPS, CNC, 3D printing, the Germans didn't have these and still had those little RC tracked vehicles to blow up Russian ones. Couldn't help myself when i saw the thickness of the plate and the CNC (lathe?) work.