Elegantly Complex Combat Robot - Flywheel Flipper, Loft Part 1

[@BrokenLinkRobotics]

Definately a robot i've been keen to make for a while now, hoping for the best as there are so many variables and unsolved problems. As of writing this, the machine is still an overflowing box of parts! The script for this video was gunning to be almost 8000 words, had to cut it back to about 3000 for a digestible video. One day I might make some thinly disguised lecture on the fascinating fine details but that will have to wait. For now I need to get the robot done so the droning noise of my mill can finally stop haunting my dreams...

[@YH-du3jc]

I hear that before every NHRL event all the competitors say a quick prayer to keep you on the otherside of the planet.

[@AQucsaiJr]

😂

[@Alexander_Sannikov]

flywheel twisting a rope is an absolutely ingenious design

[@ellieallen115]

I’ve been chewing on how to couple a flywheel for robot weapon use for weeks now, thank you so much for this video!

[@Aren-Hill]

Gyro effects are definitely annoying, I'd target a horizontal flywheel if starting over as the wheelies when turning right are the Achilles heel of Blip. How much math modeling have you done on optimizing energy transfer? You seem on a decent track with the cam implementation but the ratio swing truly required is pretty big over a flip duration. Very stoked to see more takes on flywheel flippers!

[@BrokenLinkRobotics]

I did consider the horizontal flywheel, but was concerned that the deceleration would spin my robot out from underneath the opponent and is also structurally inconvenient. Didn't include any of the calculations in the video to keep things concise but did do as much as I can to get target bounds for VR and MA, as well as energy stuff. Currently just gunning to have something built to test.

[@roboman2444]

Because the flywheel mass "shouldn't" be subjected to high shock loads like spinners are, you could easily split the flywheel into two counter rotating ones connected by gearing. That should help the gyro effects immensely.

[@Aren-Hill]

@@roboman2444 so you're telling me these robots need MORE unique parts inside of them? ;-)

[@GeneralAdvance]

I'm not an engineer, but couldn't the "drisk" type of setup of the flywheel be used to give you more space in the center of the machine without offsetting the forces to one side. Essentially two smaller connected flywheels in each half of the robot, or would this dampen the power output?

[@roboman2444]

@@GeneralAdvance Why bother connecting them? Two smaller flywheels (counter rotating), two smaller motors, two smaller winches. Redundancy. One could completely fail, but the other one would still allow for SOME flipping action.

[@Gryspa]

I'm building a servo controlled Antweight Flipper at the moment, this is an amazing creation and fantastic video. I really love your explanations, since usually only the final product is shown, whereas you explain the whole process.

[@larsteampainfullyobvious3625]

i love flywheel flippers although i have never attempted to make one myself, magneato was one of the robots to get me into combat robotics in the first place. Wonderful looking build i cant wait to see your fight video on it.

[@kaiturner08]

Keen to see it in action. Glad to see fellow FIRST alumni still building awesome robots!

[@HIBBERDAR]

What an fantastic video! I hadn't realised there had been so many attempts at flywheel flippers. Good luck with the build it looks great! Andy (Anticide/Rapid/Formula/Hounds)

[@msmith5080]

Been waiting for this! Love the design Been messing with my own flywheel flipper for a few years now but never committed to a design due to many oversights, definitely got some fresh inspiration from this

[@ben1000bhp]

So, finally succumbed to the PCBWay sponsorship huh, heh. Just remember what you said to me at the feather event in NZ ;)

[@BrokenLinkRobotics]

Have taken one before for the ring spinner, happy with part showcases

[@BeefIngot]

This is awesome and I look forward to seeing the final thing in action and possibly the mechanism in slow mo

[@roboman2444]

What about dual, redundant, horizontal counter rotating flywheels and clutch mechanisms? One on either side of the flipper arm, pulling a rope on either side of the flipper arm. Also, always a fan of flywheel flippers that also use the flywheel as a conventional spinner weapon.

[@maninalift]

I didn't quite understand your discussion of gyroscopic effects. It seemed like you said you preferred mounting the flywheel vertically because of gyroscopic effects but if you want to be able to steer without the wheels lifting, you should aim to mount the flywheel horizontally. As a bonus, this makes your bot stable against flipping whole the flywheel is spun up (it's equally difficult to flip back the right way up if the flywheel is running but you should basically never get flipped)

[@4DCResinSmoker]

Looking forward to seeing it in action!

[@GotterRobotics]

This design is impressive!

[@lamchingho662]

I am a bit curious about the clutch engage rpm, and how often does it wear down and need for a replacement. Look forward to part 2!

[@SrBuhler]

I’m curious about the possibility of mounting the flywheel horizontally. This would likely increase complexity of gearing to get the correct output, but it should improve drive characteristics, right?

[@Nickshow1000]

I love your videos!! I dream of the day i could build something like it

[@sushiecoo]

Maximum Paralysis v3 is also a flywheel flipper, although it's design is kind of unknown. We also tried a bit of flywheel design with Bravado, but that's on hold right now. Its great to see this video and history, everything is looking great!

[@adamhawker3614]

I really like the basic concept of Warrior, with the disc weapon acting as a flywheel for the flipper. It's a shame it didn't really work, as either a spinner or a flipper. Having the flywheel axis of rotation perpendicular to that of the flipper arm can't be ideal though - I'd really like to see a bot using a vertical disc / eggbeater / drum weapon as the flywheel instead. Anyway, interesting video, and good luck with your design! 🎅

[@frednurk5168]

I am hyped

[@jeetmaster7630]

nice video

[@Gryspa]

Awesome!

[@rktec88]

My teammate at nhrl made a 3lb called pretty fly which is a flywheel flipper

[@PoweredByDucks]

I won't pretend I know very much about this stuff, but how fast are those elastic pulling the flipper arm back? Is there no issue with slowing it down, and can the robot just take the punch?

[@BrokenLinkRobotics]

Yeah just slams into the rubber end stops

[@teamtestbot]

Roll cake mentioned 😭

[@smidy3]

What made you go for the Flywheel flipper design? the pure challenge of such a difficult design. You metioned blip, but why not have a look at tantrums Choo Choo flipper mechanism? (have a look at the video "Inside BattleBot Tantrum's Unique "Choo-Choo" Mechanism" if you have not already seen it.)

[@minchy83]

This might be a silly comment, but is there any reason for not adding some kind of stabby tooth or saw teeth to the flywheel to turn it into a kind of alternate weapon? It would give you the option to use the power of the flywheel to either flip or stab / cut depending on the situation. I’m sure there must be a reason, but I’m genuinely interested in what it is.

[@BrokenLinkRobotics]

Fair question for sure. This robot is for the 'sportsman' class, where Kinetic Energy spinners aren't permitted. In open I definitely would consider it though.

[@minchy83]

@ Hey thanks so much for the response. Yeah that makes a lot of sense now, it definitely seemed like there was missed opportunity otherwise 😋. Good luck with your competition!

[@WetDoggo]

Ain't it possible to use the flywheel as a weapon and to get a wheelless robot moving to get weight bonus, while also tapping the flywheel as a flipper?

[@BrokenLinkRobotics]

No weight bonus for gyro walkers in australia, may work in the US

[@mayaseagreen]

roll cake's flywheel almost looks like a drum spiner

[@BrokenLinkRobotics]

It is!

[@BenjaminRansom-p1s]

What modeling do you use?

[@davidorbell5803]

wouldn't the best position for the flywheel be horizontal ???

[@232Skull]

Always afraid of magnesium parts in an application where heat or friction is involved.

[@JamesTate-gk6su]

Don’t know if you know this or if it’s a copy of blip but mark rober built a flywheel flipper

[@GrumpleBots]

He didn't make it, it's just a repainted Blip. I wish they would have made that more clear in the video.

[@Aren-Hill]

Fat tail is Blip in a Halloween costume :-), we were very happy to be involved and enabling in that video project with the Rober and Dude Perfect crews

[@Lumakid100]

I’m very likely the wrong person to be asking this, but why not refine the system in your Antweight and then scale that up?

[@BeefIngot]

I imagine because of the convenience of that ac clutch as well as the level of intricate machining that would be required at a smaller scale.

[@BrokenLinkRobotics]

Big robot go boom

[@zeDoSauRus]

wow

[@darkcnight]

Hey man, I'm a subscriber and I enjoy your content, but I think. your thumbnails could use a bit of work because I saw your video quite a few times on my homepage, but I was quite hesitant to click on it because it just wasn't as appealing as some of the other videos. Just a tip for you, man. I just think you could use some better thumbnails. The current one that you have, not so good, but I know you can do better. All just my opinion of course. Otherwise, great video!

[@LukeisKooL]

Fiiprr

[@BrokenLinkRobotics]

Yep

[@Kittycat_animate]

I seen the modle of this it is insane

[@Roboxwars]

There is no way anyone could make this without a high grade 3D printer/ laser cutter if on a higher scale. Just goes to show how you can’t do much without being well off in robot combat nower days :(

[@BrokenLinkRobotics]

Not so fast, that first flywheel flipper was made on a crappy Up Mini and hand tools! Yeah the bigger robots get costly but you can still do alot

[@Roboxwars]

@ as in competition wise I haven’t seen a non 3d printing lower weight class high performer in years

[@PelleKuipers]

@Roboxwars but an a1 mini runs at 200 right now. Just bought one. For any type of sport/competition that's not that expensive.

[@Roboxwars]

@@PelleKuipers not that expensive but where’s the skill in it? You just do a bit of cading, maybe even simply buying a stock robot shell and print it out. I assure you it’ll be 10 times stronger than whatever someone spent 10 months on instead of 10 days because it’s just automated quick rubbish and who’s got the best printer. I find that annoying that’s all

[@PelleKuipers]

@Roboxwars Have you build one? I have designed two so far and it's a lot of work. I don't need a printer to tinker with too to add to the hassle. Sure you can download a crappy bot from the internet, but it's up to you how to do it. I haven't seen many bots that are that great, and honestly designing it is half the fun. Lastly, don't go complain about the thing and once someone calls you out for it move the goal posts. Either complain about needing an expensive printer, or complain about it being too 'easy' with a 200 dollar printer.