Fully 3D Printed TANK / Tracked Robot Platform

Get 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS for Makers (20% Off $99/yr.!) r1132100503382-eu1-my3dexperi...
Learn more about 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS for Makers: discover.solidworks.com/3dexp...
Join the “Made in 3D” online community to share your designs and engage other Makers: r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3de...
I ordered the PCB from PCBWAY: www.pcbway.com/?from=HowToMec...
3D model, code, parts list and more details ► howtomechatronics.com/project...
If you enjoy and find the content that I make useful, please consider supporting me on Patreon: / howtomechatronics
You can order the PCB from PCBWay project sharing community: www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
Parts list (check website article for full list, affiliate links):
Amazon.com:
DC Motor 12V: amzn.to/3yOkEKq
RC Shock Absorbers: amzn.to/3YW8Lwp
FLYSKY RC Transmitter: amzn.to/2RibIdZ
AliExpress.com:
DC Motor 12V: alii.pub/6ncsf1
RC Shock Absorbers: alii.pub/6nclc4
FLYSKY RC Transmitter: alii.pub/5tc9ft
In video I will show you how I built a super cool radio controlled 3D Printed tracked vehicle, or a robot platform or a tank, you name it. I designed this thing from scratch to be fully 3D printable so you can easily print everything and build one on your own.
Timestamp:
00:00 Intro
02:20 Design
07:41 3D Printing
8:40 Assembling the Tank
16:53 Electronics
18:47 Custom PCB
19:58 Finishing
23:22 Code
24:23 Testing the Robot Platform
Visit HowToMechatronics.com for more Tutorials, Tips, Projects and How It Works videos:
► howtomechatronics.com/
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► / howtomechatronics

[@HowToMechatronics]

I ordered the custom designed PCB from PCBWay: www.pcbway.com/?from=HowToMechatronics Check out my favorite 3D printers, the K1 Max: amzn.to/3txQUC6 or if you are on a budget, the Ender-3 V3 SE: amzn.to/3FkCPus Thanks everyone supporting me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/howtomechatronics I'm looking forward to upgrade this robot platform with both a robotic arm and a turret. Stay tuned!

[@RattlesnakeRCandHobbies]

I have built this and it has a model snowblower on the front and a custom designed snowcat cab for it. Awesome design! I have a question about motors though; My whole unit weighs about 12lbs and the 300rpm motors i have (same design as you have in your video) are not performing too well after about 7 minute's of usage. I'm wondering what other motor options would fit in the design and be significantly more torquey and powerful.

[@JoshMurrah]

The amount of design work and detail that went into this, is insane - thanks for sharing!

[@HowToMechatronics]

Much appreciated! To be honest, it took me a lot of time and effort. 🙏

[@TheLastCrankers]

This is basically my thesis project for my robotics degree, but you knew what you were doing, had money, time and tools lmao. Nice to see what could've been. Yours is also waaay more of what I thought my project was gonna turn out like.

[@WorldPowerLabs]

My senior design project (some 20 years ago) was an autonomous wheeled robot. If I had some of the ready-made, open-source navigation systems available now, it might have actually worked right. The single-board computer and the navigation subsystems were so power-hungry, battery life was on the order of 15 minutes between R/C battery swaps. Oh, well... it was fun and it earned me an "A" (would have been an "A+" if nav. had worked right).

[@Wingnut353]

@@WorldPowerLabs Same here except more like 12 years ago. We got 2nd place actually behind a mobile solar generation project.

[@ashers_workshop]

Yes, a turret would be NICE!!! Please make the turret!

[@rexgordon8661]

Most professional and thorough video I have ever seen on building something like this! Keep up the good work.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Glad you liked it!

[@alexnewton3376]

Awesome design. The best diy engineering channel on KZbin.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thanks 👍

[@GoatZilla]

Tracks take a surprising amount of torque to run, particularly when turning. That's why some toy tanks have slips built into the gearing in order to not overload the motor/controllers.

[@herbi102]

Beautiful, clean and the guy knows how to solder, which is rare in clips on KZbin !

[@vukasinterzic]

This is a great design! I already have most of the parts and I will attempt to make it! Thank you! Looking forward to future upgrades :)

[@HowToMechatronics]

Glad you like it! Have fun building one! :)

[@benitoalonso9037]

Simply fantastic, thank you for your job and explanations !

[@RattlesnakeRCandHobbies]

Absolutely awesome design, and im glad I came across this! Nothing else like it thats fully 3Dprintable and FREE! I have a 3D printed model snowblower i will be attaching to this, I plan to modify the files of the track and get a bit more clearance so it can work in snow, but the size is perfect! As a note, for the control of the motors, you can use regular speed controllers and just use mixes on the radio to completely skip having to use a PCB and program it; I have done this on a few smaller RC tracked vehicle projects and works quite well! There are a few online videos for setting this up.

[@moditrix]

A great and inspiring project. using your own microcontroller with your own software opens up a lot of great possibilities and applications. Great write up of what and how and why you did it the way you did. I have an immediate desire to do such a project as well. I personally am very close to mechanics and manufacturing. I'm much worse with electronics, I couldn't invent electronics for peripherals on my own. and that limits me. However, videos like this inspire me and make me want to educate myself further and maybe start studying electronics. Because as you can see, when you master all these fields, you can do anything. Thanks for sharing.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Glad to hear it! Words like these are also inspiring for me, to do more and better next time. Yeah, we should always keep educating ourselves, every effort pays off. Cheers! 😀

[@wizzardofwizzards]

Nice design. Extraordinary 3D printed endeavor! I was unaware until now of the Solidworks for makers, great tip!

[@U-Tech20]

Thank you for such a well explained and detailed video.

[@Jim_One-wl4ke]

Awesome work & lots of ideas presented. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@navigas93]

Awesome details in this project! I am especially impressed by the details around the track and the suspension. Perfect for my next project, when my Voron 2.4 is up and running. Thank you for your effort and transparency!

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thanks a bunch!

[@weddellseal8414]

if you want the best tracks use a outside sproket like the ones you see on t72 or t90 and Abrams. some are double pinned but single pin is fine also. and a tall track horn helps to keep things in line

[@ChopterMan]

I made a project of my own similar to this one, two years ago... Since it was a self navigation project I had to include two hall sensors one in each of the motor (since DC motors are difficult to keep at the same speed). Without these sensor it would be very hard to navigate autonomously. As a autonomous navigation system I didn't need to use a transmitter. This project included a GPS, Compass, Bluetooth for communication and status. Projects like this on you tube are magnificent to explore our logical and mechanical capabilities as home engineers. Cheers! Loved the tank.

[@walthermatthau9537]

VERY COOL! Excellent work!

[@Cvile69]

The track system and its suspension is amazing, I'm printing it for my project now

[@newt2010]

Sweet build. That is a lot of printing. Great detail in explaining the build. The tracks look amazing. Cheers

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@muhammmadrizwan7334]

I must pay thanks to you for your work. I am really glad. Thanks again.

[@ovalwingnut]

Fully printed? Hardware, springs LEDs and everything? Fantastic!!! Thumbs up! You RoCk

[@highdesertbiker]

dude AWESOME VIDEO, so cool that you are doing this concept

[@noorpola6889]

You are very creative man, thanks for sharing 👍

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

@HowToMechatronics >>> 👍👍

[@OMNI_INFINITY]

Wow! Saw now. Thanks! Great channel!

[@SONO4B11T]

Thank you for this... I'm more excited than ever about going to university now!

[@bogasni]

Amazing really love what you do and am going to build something similar soon so this helps!

[@lets.powerup]

This is really passionate work, keep it up buddy.

[@phillipdevillephysics9096]

Nice Christie suspension, I like that you kept it simple. I think instead of 3D printing the entire control cavity, I will use an extruded aluminum frame. The treads are nice.

[@ROBO_Roundup]

It was really amazing to see your work experience, thank you so much ✨

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thanks!

[@cardriverfreerider9783]

Good job! Am so amazed about this stuff

[@Gaminglord-oq2wl]

Hi Dejan, thx for making everything public of your project. I build based on your files a ros2 based version of it.

[@mrinmoybanik5598]

Maybe you should add a 3d printed automatic gear system between the sprocket and the motors. Like even my toy tank has a pretty massive one spanning the entire length of the chassi. You can also add guidance rollers to support the top hanging part of the track.

[@sujithkr136]

The tanks look is awesome..

[@Pluap]

I love the idler wheel mechanism

[@someadvids5655]

Love this one thanks for this! take care

[@MirkoPavleskiMK]

Really beautiful design as always. Thanks for sharing

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thanks Mirko, I'm glad to hear that from you! Cheers!

[@MegaTraxxas]

We will wait for new videos about that robot

[@tribolex]

wow learned so much today!!

[@peterdlynes]

Very nice tank project. Thanks for sharing.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you too!

[@peterboy209]

A great Platform for a swedish "Stridsvagn 103". Thanks for sharing 👍

[@MASI_forging]

Your idea & execution always impress, love all yout projects.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you very much!

[@amitkeynan922]

Awesome project, thank you for sharing your work.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@HaCkIsS2]

Incredible work. Amazing. Congratulations my friend. Everything you make is astonishing!

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@masakih7549]

Thank you for providing an excellent video. In the video, you are analyzing the kinematics of the suspension. What functions are being used to calculate the vectors and torques? If possible, could you please let me know?

[@ranban71]

Привет из Казахстана!!! Hello from Kazakhstan!!!

[@antibrevity]

Nice project and good to see you again.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Hey, thanks!

[@AmanSingh_YT]

Finally after a long time with a great Arduino project 🤩

[@daveschings828]

I got my tank up and running and my dogs like to bark at it! Thanks for sharing your amazing design and especially for providing the .STEP file which allowed me to make some component modifications. I had trouble printing the front chassis component because I got warping of the portion that overhangs the bedplate and couldn't install the bearings. Even with supports it would warp up off the supports. I also designed a battery holder and receiver holder and was able to line the holes up perfectly thanks to the .STEP file. Something that wasn't mentioned in your video was the setup of the transmitter, the switches need to be enabled to operate the lights. Also, to set up Failsafe to 1500 throttle (0 speed) if it loses connection between transmitter and receiver. I also made some modifications to the drive algorithm because I wanted to get counter rotation at no forward/backward speed. Now it will spin on the center axis. I also corrected an issue with the tank going forward with very slight backward throttle. Thanks again!

[@HowToMechatronics]

I'm so happy to hear when someone remakes a project. I believe you had fun, but of course there will be always something that needs to be modified or improved or troubleshoot when remaking a project. Cheers! 😀

[@PauloSergioDiasCarmo]

Your channel always has great videos, thanks for sharing.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you very much!

[@hightech7744]

Impressive...I loved all the details.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Aditya-rp3lm]

This is amazing! you can probably make a tank simulation with this

[@danielitaliano4531]

Me gustó, buena máquina..felicitaciones...

[@proz71ful19]

22:05 The red wire you soldered to the motor looks like it may be touching the motor housing.. just something I noticed! Such a cool inspiring build

[@suambuli]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ChoaibElmadi]

Thank you so much for this awesome tutorial ❤️😍

[@HowToMechatronics]

My pleasure 😊

[@usamakhan4176]

Amazing design with awesome details.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@hasanrcn]

it's very fun to do. But costly. beautiful model. quality content.

[@tristanbranch8513]

Bro this is awesome keep it up

[@danitegue]

Great work!, But I wonder why did you use DC motors instead of low KV high torque brushless motors?. Also giving more space between the tracks and the upper skirt probably could help to reduce the random track jams. In any case, great video, and congratulations for your patience with these long 3D prints!

[@kennethhawkins5943]

This is an amazing project. Well done.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@iloverobotics113]

Great. Thank you!

[@michellepreiml7751]

You´re genius ,..svaka cast :) im just now downloaded the tank at cults3d and wanna prepare the printing.....hvala za trud :) greetz Vanja from BUPF-Tech Austria

[@SpringySpring04]

When you add a turret to it you should try to see if it can cross a little makeshift trench. It would be awesome to see this thing going over a gap like that

[@piconano]

Great looking design.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@simonabboud5987]

I’ve learned a lot., always enjoy your project

[@HowToMechatronics]

Glad to hear it!

[@ifell3]

Wow this is an awesome design. I bet you're really proud

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Yep, considering the amount time and effort I put into making it, I'm pleased how it turned out!

[@Alessandr0cchi0]

Beautiful,, a very interesting project, you made me want to print it!

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thanks,, Go for it! :)

[@MegaTraxxas]

Amazing project, I'm designing something similar and could say it's really hard

[@mariobouchard6189]

Cool project! Maybe adding a gearbox for the motors or changing the motors for stepper motors.

[@serta5727]

Wow that’s impressive

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you!

[@cristiana1373]

Great job!👏👏👏👍👍👍

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Muskoheim]

Amazing! I'm not equipped to do it, but I wonder if the plans might be altered to incorporate a SG 1203 RC tank drivetrain and electronics. It uses a clever gearbox that uses one drive motor and a smaller steering motor. That way, for about $80, motors, gearbox, 2 (2s) batteries, and transmitter (pistol grip and wheel type) are all scavengable. Plus, it's got plenty of torque and runs at about 4mph.

[@jaydekaytv]

Great job on this overall!

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@thanhnam5268]

Damn, i just learn a whole mechanism of a tank. Slick

[@sssssssssssssssssssssssssssBUM]

it's amazing maaannnn thanks

[@khanbusyboy]

Very nice bro

[@Tk0mma]

great project, thanks very much

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you too!

[@badraa7838]

Nice work!

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thanks!

[@Jkauppa]

also the bearings (graphite lubricated surface fluid bearing), and screws, also the leaf springs

[@user-bc1qc7vb4m]

классный танк, надо бы тоже что-то подобное сделать

[@fouzaialaa7962]

this is absolutely cool !! i might use the tracks and the motion system, also bearings are expensive so i might delete them and use smooth screws as bearings also i think its the driver acting up and not an underpowered motors ,DC motors can put up with over current abuse so i think the driver is your limitation

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Yeah, that's true, getting rid of the bearings can be a significant cost cut. Not sure whether the driver was the limit. It was capable of delivering up to 2A of continuous current, but the motor itself was only 0.5A, or 6W. In addition to that 888 RPM which means poor torque. The whole motion system has a lot of parts causing quite some resistance.

[@zlatimirivanov3615]

Great job!

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thanks!

[@VladimirUlianov152]

Ha! The design of the chassis is one to one like that of the Bentley Ultratank (Bentley on a caterpillar chassis) of the Russian autoblogger Academic. Adjusted for the size and lack of a Bentley body on top, of course)

[@ashers_workshop]

Beautiful ❤ I gonna make it sometime!

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thanks! Have fun build one!

[@matouslexa2731]

Very good job ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you!

[@nik5085]

Amazing design no cap

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@luisrey8986]

Excelente! 😃👍

[@ivanilsonfragadeoliveira3068]

isso é uma máquina 👏

[@GNARGNARHEAD]

thought the headlight explanation was a really nice tough, great sneaky introduction to some basics 👌

[@HowToMechatronics]

Glad you liked it! Cheers! 😀

[@Bianchi77]

Nice video ,thanks :)

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you too!

[@teknoman117]

Are the tracks printed out of a hard plastic or something flexible like TPE? One of the things that I've had trouble with with various tank kits in general is that the tracks are hard plastic and you don't get any traction on smooth surfaces. Would be neat the have rubbery track links for grip on hardwood floors and such.

[@trexcommander4787]

j'adore je me sert de votre video pour prendre exemple car j'en veut un aussi et donc je le modelise a ma sauce merci

[@bahadrgergin6334]

Mükemmel 👏

[@davidhollis8606]

Could you do a video, or have you done a video going in depth on how you design your tread

[@nollstead]

Hi there, thanks for your awesome projects, really helping me learn. Question though. I made your RC receiver and plan on using that to control this tank but in looking at this design I don't see how the CE and CSN pins are connected. They appear to not be connected on the PCB design. Is this missing in the design or am I just not understanding where they are connected?

[@thomas_bourgeois]

Awesome design! What length of spring did you use in the end for the shocks?

[@aaronwunderlich3070]

Excellent as always! Was hoping to see you utilize your transmitter/receiver though. Nice to push your audience right back into your catalog.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Yeah, I though of using the transmitter, that's why included a NRF24L01 connection on the PCB. I didn't want to go all in "DIY". With the Flysky transmitter is obviously easier to get this project working. But as said in the video, I plan to make some upgrades to the platform, so I could utilize the custom transmitter for the next video. Cheers!

[@aaronwunderlich3070]

@@HowToMechatronics Yes, I commented too soon! In any event, simply excellent as always! My son really liked this, so we may have a go of building this together. :)

[@HowToMechatronics]

Glad to hear it! Have fun building one! :)