Fully 3D Printed TANK / Tracked Robot Platform

[@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.

[@Carter-dv4hz]

This thing is neat but rather impractical. Can you design an upgraded version using 24 volt Dc motors? A welded steel frame with some armor. I think that would be much more practical.

[@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. 🙏

[@sasharif828]

Good ❤

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@alexnewton3376]

Awesome design. The best diy engineering channel on KZbin.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thanks 👍

[@ashers_workshop]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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! 😀

[@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.

[@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! :)

[@wizzardofwizzards]

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

[@halsti99]

hey man, i had to make some 3D-Printed tracks for a toy excavator project and this was a fantastic help! thanks for putting in the work and sharing the video!

[@U-Tech20]

Thank you for such a well explained and detailed video.

[@benitoalonso9037]

Simply fantastic, thank you for your job and explanations !

[@herbi102]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@muhammmadrizwan7334]

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

[@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!

[@Jim_One-wl4ke]

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

[@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! 😀

[@SONO4B11T]

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

[@TryptychUK]

SUGGESTION: Invest in a mallet instead of whacking everything with a pair of pliers.

[@hhhhhhhhh1071]

Easier to wrap a hammer in something soft

[@TryptychUK]

@@hhhhhhhhh1071 Er, that's kind of what a mallet is.

[@hhhhhhhhh1071]

@@TryptychUKyeah but making one diy is better

[@FuckYourFeelings914]

Dont tell me how to live my life commie

[@Cvjkncfxcccfdd]

Don't do it man, don't succumb to the academics elites lies. Stay strong 💪💪

[@highdesertbiker]

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

[@lets.powerup]

This is really passionate work, keep it up buddy.

[@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

[@Gaminglord-oq2wl]

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

[@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

[@baldevmakwana5880]

Please prepare a video on ,'multi modal mobility morphobot project robot

[@newt2010]

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

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Wauk9390]

You sir are brilliant! Love it.

[@noorpola6889]

You are very creative man, thanks for sharing 👍

[@peterdlynes]

Very nice tank project. Thanks for sharing.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you too!

[@Cvile69]

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

[@JoshOntko]

YouYourre a freaken maestro! Bambu needs to send you 3 printers and have you talk about them

[@walthermatthau9537]

VERY COOL! Excellent work!

[@MASI_forging]

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

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you very much!

[@OMNI_INFINITY]

Wow! Saw now. Thanks! Great channel!

[@HaCkIsS2]

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

[@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.

[@danielitaliano4531]

Me gustó, buena máquina..felicitaciones...

[@PauloSergioDiasCarmo]

Your channel always has great videos, thanks for sharing.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you very much!

[@PunakiviAddikti]

Here's some possible modifications. High power LEDs. Should be easy to implement, just replace the transistors with MOSFETs and add a gate resistor. FPV camera and VTX. Very easy to implement. Just need a place to mount it and power the VTX. Brushless motors. A bit harder to implement, you'll need a drive train. A belt reduction or small metal gearbox should do it. Plenty of power and super fast speeds. ESC's are super easy to wire up. For those who don't want to wire up an Arduino, you could get brushed ESC's or convert to brushless and wire everything up to the receiver. Tank mixing can be done in the controller setup. Flight controller. Might sound a bit silly, but that's just in the name. Flight controllers are essentially a collection of sensors and a CPU that you can make do whatever you want. The gyro can help you drive straight. You can add GPS. And you can install a FPV camera and enable the OSD and overlay stuff like artificial horizon, battery voltage, percentage and low battery alarm, ESC overheat alarm, speedometer and home arrow (with GPS installed) and more.

[@HowToMechatronics]

These are really great suggestions! Thanks!

[@MirkoPavleskiMK]

Really beautiful design as always. Thanks for sharing

[@HowToMechatronics]

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

[@peterboy209]

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

[@TheIsRealLights]

i am curious at min 13:35 how did you print the tracks without any support?

[@antibrevity]

Nice project and good to see you again.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Hey, thanks!

[@kennethhawkins5943]

This is an amazing project. Well done.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@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)

[@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.

[@amitkeynan922]

Awesome project, thank you for sharing your work.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@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

[@Jkauppa]

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

[@TheIsRealLights]

thanks for sharing everything is well organized i managed to get everything to work! Only problem i ran into is that the headlights, taillights, and high beams power on when i power on the tank i could not get the lights to work with the switch on the fly sky FS-I6X and the FS-ia6b i checked over the code you provided and can not figure it out any help will be appreciated

[@usamakhan4176]

Amazing design with awesome details.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@PCBWay]

You never fail to impress us with your new ideas! THX a ton for bringing us into this

[@Cherokeeseeker]

you earned another subscription. awesome video and great fun

[@HowToMechatronics]

Glad to hear it, thanks! I hope you will find more interesting and fun stuff in future/ Cheers!

[@cardriverfreerider9783]

Good job! Am so amazed about this stuff

[@thomas_bourgeois]

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

[@elnurmehdiyev5062]

Such a great project, thank you for sharing files!

[@HowToMechatronics]

Glad you like it!

[@elnurmehdiyev5062]

@@HowToMechatronics would be great to implement brushless motors on it - more torque/speed. Also wifi, camera and solar panels would make it fully independent robot patroling garden on my absence.

[@AmanSingh_YT]

Finally after a long time with a great Arduino project 🤩

[@sujithkr136]

The tanks look is awesome..

[@AbeSwavay]

Amazing work bro I and trying to implement something like this into my project but I don’t know how to use 3D software like you do . How did you learn?

[@puneet9628]

I don't know, how much it matters to you. But for me this is a God level of engineering/robotics. Thanks to you and to the internet i am sitting here in a remote village of India and can see and learn this beautiful creation ☮️🙏

[@HowToMechatronics]

Glad to hear it! Sure I understand that, I've learned a lot thanks the same way, from other people who are sharing knowledge on the internet. It's really a fascinating how things work these days. Cheers!

[@savneetsinghrairai6823]

Yeh brother same here it is a dream for u n me the level of engineering is amazing.... someday may we get resources to print it

[@edenassos]

You should add rotating cleaning brushes so it cleans the track. Without it, once dirt gets between the gaps, the track is basically useless.

[@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?

[@mariobouchard6189]

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

[@FraensEngineering]

Hello, what program do you use to display these beautiful schematics?

[@usamakhan4176]

Is there any specifi angle required to place shock absorber?

[@wisehomo]

Very good work. That must have taken you quite a while to finish. How many hours in total do you estimate it took you to complete the whole project?

[@hightech-yt]

Impressive...I loved all the details.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@shivachaturvedhi8840]

1. can we reproduce it? what we may need to purchase? 1. 3d printer, avialbein in India? how much may cost? 2. raw material lcost?

[@ROBO_Roundup]

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

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thanks!

[@stuartgray5877]

If you used torsion bars as the spring for each idler you would eliminate the eternal springs entirely. Same as the front suspensions in classic VWs. Each idler would have a torsion bar anchored at the centerline of the tank that penetrates the sidewall and doubles as the pivot axle of the idler.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Yep, suspension system with torsion bars is mostly used nowadays.

[@Alessandr0cchi0]

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

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thanks,, Go for it! :)

[@johannsieger3741]

now i orderedthe electronic parts, the tank is printed nearby 90 % ....im so happy :) ....for the tracks, i mean the copper wire is a little tricky way, i used for connecting the pieces simple 2,0 x 20 mm brass nails from toolstore at corner, its realy easy to press it in the small holes, i used a little vice to press it in, it worked perfect.

[@HowToMechatronics]

Great to hear it! I hope you will get it working soon! :)

[@renderuthis]

I wounder if you can get TPu to stick to hard plastic and change it mid print to make the tread pads?

[@redhazaidi5708]

Can I see the solid work files are they available for the public am very instead in the build

[@Angel-xp1jy]

Mine is printing right now, 30 hours already, still a lot to go :D

[@hasanrcn]

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

[@serkancebeci2200]

hi, it's nice design.i have a small project, i was designing my own tracked vehicle only the drawing remained a light one ,i know how to model and make a real one. Do you think I should waste time drawing?Or there are subsections ready like this, should I go with one of them for now?

[@SimpleElectronics]

Great project! How did you make those beautiful diagrams like at 17:00? Either way, great work!!

[@HowToMechatronics]

Thank you! I make the diagrams with Adobe Illustrator for the graphics, in combination with After Effects for the animation. Cheers!

[@PCBWay]

[@simonabboud5987]

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

[@HowToMechatronics]

Glad to hear it!

[@steveg2277]

Do you have a comprehensive log or video that covers all of the small parts and bulk electronic parts kits that you like to keep on hand to tackle these projects? I hate having to wait constantly to order a small part or something and would gladly order what I need in advance to to keep them in stock and have on hand to complete projects more quickly. Any feedback is helpful! Great video!!!

[@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!

[@sagnikghosh630]

Which software are you using for making this design...need help...

[@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! :)

[@muhedinhashani4081]

Hi, I was inspired by your tank and decided to build one of my own. I made my own design and everything, 3d printed, designed it, you name it. When I got to my electronic part the Reciever lights are not turning on I it also not connecting with the transmitter which isnt working. It would be real good if you could tell me what the problem is with the receiver. Thank you.

[@tristanbranch8513]

Bro this is awesome keep it up

[@Mailzas]

Is it possible to control engines by ppm signal? Then maybe would be possible to make it without arduino.

[@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?

[@monneratrj]

Did you use 10 shock absorbers?

[@davidhollis8606]

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

[@TheMarshallFan]

9:40, 10:58, 11:03, 14:09 - Petition to get Dejan a small machinist hammer, this was painful to watch lol. Great project man, fun to follow along as usual!

[@HowToMechatronics]

hehe, yeah that would help :) Thanks

[@EvanHarp]

Just bought the year of 3d experience. Hopefully its cool. I have used sldwks since 99 (gasp!). They have been trying to ditch the parasolid kernel for years.

[@DavePetrillo]

It's not. Its really bad. It's incredibly mind-blowingly bad.

[@L0615T1C]

Can you make a tutorial on how to make track links and the sproket?

[@dainiusk.7632]

very cool. did you consider to make it floating on water? I think you can achieve it with minimal modifications to body?