Tombstone frames throughout BattleBots

[@523Artist]

I'm still new to Battlebots but Tombstone quickly became my favorite. Win or lose this bot always brings the excitement and craziest hits. This video showed me alot, and also showed how much you put into your bots. Keep the greatness coming, kinetic king!

[@walletracer9882]

Despite the catastrohpic failures, it definitely looks like the season 6 iteration held up the best structurally. Can't wait to see you iron out the kinks for the next version.

[@heru1231]

Tombstone is my childhood ❤

[@tigerrocks503chase8]

One thing I noticed with the toy Hexbug Tombstones is they all use the S1 shape as they have the triangular back. Because when Tombstone got it’s all black color scheme there was not triangular back.

[@BellyLover06]

that's because according to HEXBUG, they'd have to change the toy almost entirely to have the toy get a flat backside.

[@the-skarloey-railway]

I love how he talks about Tombstone like his son

[@BotvacProductions469]

... 😄😄😄😄

[@charliemccharlieface]

I don't know anything about engineering but this is really fascinating. You explain everything well so I can still follow along. I would love more videos like this where you break down how the robot works.

[@117Shaba]

I noticed that after moving the power switches to the side after S2, they are back on the top for the S6 build....curious. Also, (again) thanks for taking the time and making such detailed & informative videos! And, of course, you are not letting anyone near that S2 frame!

[@ray9368]

For season 6 they were on the back rear panel and not on top, although for the re:MARS event I did move them back to the front/top position. I was trying to figure out a better method of shock absorption for the batteries, and used that extra space back there. Still didn't work though :) I think I've got that figured out a bit better going forward.

[@laurels7892]

So looking forward to seeing Tombstone in the arena again! This was a very interesting video. Thank you!

[@thecars570]

Nice break down of the frame changes, Ray.

[@Leatherface123.]

Oo this is a video I’ve always wanted to see

[@cheese.161]

Thanks Ray for finally doing this video it inspired me to trying to build and improve a battlebot in everything that you can build with i got a really powerfull idea how about a tombstone and Biteforce multibot

[@craigbowie8925]

Really enjoyed this Ray.

[@captainsmartass3368]

A video I been looking to forward for a long time

[@syruscoy1244]

When the new season finally comes out, I hope people are able to flock to your channel.

[@iainscoines]

so cool to see how it's made after watching for so many years !! good stuff

[@mikedski9698]

Ray Billings, I Hope Graveyard Tombstone The King Of Kinetic Energy Is Ready Next Year.

[@joeyverliesharen]

ooh, damn. I started watching Battlebots 2018 on Netflix a week ago and now KZbin suggests this video out of the blue. I'm only halfway through that season, but I'm loving Tombstone's performance already :D

[@necromancer0616]

@Ray Billings, Here's a suggestion on how to save you some weight. If you rounded the corners on the back part of the frame and cut horizontal slits say like three small sets of three in the back pannel that should save you some weight. The rounding part may be difficult but if you had the ability to you could essentualy almost make the frame a single peice of tubing which would save you the welding and free up some more weight along with shortening the frame like you said. - Just my ideas hope they help. Good Luck next season.

[@roboman2444]

Just make the entire top and bottom sections one long bent tube instead of multiple tubes welded together?

[@necromancer0616]

@@roboman2444 That's what I said, but to do that the corners will be rounded.

[@harrymattson1]

Thank you to Ray and the team for your video content. It's clear that the weight of the robot is a constant challenge. How important is the robot's centre of gravity? I guess it changes for you depending on the weapon you choose but this may also be a factor when trying to improve traction.

[@RennieAsh]

They mentioned that near the end of season 6 frame discussion; maybe shortening the front, using shorter weapon bars. I guess this means it's Malice-ified a little ;p

[@GelatinCoffee]

it's crazy to hear him talk about this like this when it seemed like he was actually considering redesigning the whole bot the most current season. i remember when that finished and i was like "😢 kraken And tombstone are making new robots? i loved them though 😔" but i guess that's just how much the sport has evolved

[@dannymalone5349]

Hi Ray. I have been a fan of yours ever sine I started watching Battle Bots. I am not an engineer, but I understand a lot of what you are talking about. Always wondered what bots where made out of. Hope to get access to watch fights I haven't watched someday.

[@ray9368]

If you ever get the chance to go watch any event live, you should do that. It's just impossible for video to really get the amount of power being unleashed in the arena. Thanks for watching!

[@l8dawn]

huh, never knew you were sponsored by Keysight! We use their measuring equipment at my university, and it's based out of my hometown :) just wish I could get an internship there lol

[@mikedski9698]

Thanks Again Ray.

[@TanHowSiang]

I think you can add a little bit of strong magnet under your robot to improve your drive train just like what end game and biteforce do

[@XogoWasTaken]

While that's possible, that would require removing even more weight, would need magnets on both sides for invertibility, and would make driving balance highly variable if the nose gets lifted off the ground. Shortening the nose a little, which would both improve driving dynamics *and* cut out some weight to reinstall the full internal brace, seems like the better solution. Two birds with one stone, and much less complexity.

[@JustAKrushaFan]

4:11 That’s fine, Ray. I know me as a parts buyer understands. You can’t have a killer season then sell your memories away. But hey, if I can, I’ll get any parts when you decide to sell, since I know you sell parts fairly often. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get a Tombstone blade like when you sold the S6 red and white blade.

[@josephploettner7327]

Great video and information, Ty.

[@mikedski9698]

Ray Billings, Thanks For Helping Team Rabbit Malice Again On BATTLEBOTS VENGEANCE IN VEGAS 2.

[@ray9368]

The Malice team is awesome, and they were gracious enough to have me be there so I could enjoy the event even if I couldn't compete that year because of the hand. In truth they helped me more than I helped them :)

[@ToastGhost]

So the S1 & S2 frames are largely the same just without the tail section? What was the story with the tail? In my head I always thought it was an aesthetic choice to make the body more resemble an actual headstone. Would love to know the actuality.

[@ray9368]

The tail section would keep the robot from being stood up on it's rear in the arena, so it did have a real function. It also had the side benefit of making it look like a tombstone :)

[@nikoraviel6038]

Hi Toast

[@ToastGhost]

Oh interesting I wouldn’t think you could get the bot land like that in a fight, how come you decided to remove it?

[@ToastGhost]

Hello

[@forceofwillgaming8475]

Hey Ray I got the iPhone case from your web store and it looks absolutely amazing. Bunny designed them right? Who ever did them they looked great

[@ray9368]

That is correct, bunny created that art work for me. And I agree it is pretty special :) I'm glad that you liked it!!

[@halbvoll1]

Thank you for the insights, that is very interesting. Maybe you can make the same video with all the technic and electronic explanations

[@jordanlloyd5421]

so, what's the newer frame of tombstone is going to be likes? also, do you think tombstone comes back & win the second title?

[@PyroBear1776]

Never heard of cutting something completely out then rewelding it back. Thought that would weaken the weld.

[@ray9368]

One of the key reasons for using steel for framing structures is the ease of welding. And yes you can end up with some issues from that, but at the event you do whatever you have to in order to get it back in the arena.

[@Gatrests14]

Maybe using brushless motors for the wheels and weapon motor will help with weight in order to inforce more sability for the batteries and also more power to the weapon.

[@jacobchandler2083]

Could you try and capture a 1 inch ball bearing top and bottom at the tip of the frame so there is something there that trys to roll instead of scoot. Would it help any

[@roboman2444]

Instead of moving the entire weapon back 2 inches, is it possible to move the motors forward an inch? Move the vertical plate and vertical pipes that the front of the shock isolators mount to forward by an inch, and i think the arc of the weapon bar look like they would still clear them fine. I'm not sure of the geometries of the motor gearboxes would fit internally, though, and you may need to notch something slightly to clear the motor cans.

[@ray9368]

Probably some combination of that actually. I've got a few things I would like to make happen which will take a bit of design work to get something I'm happy with.

[@JemsXiong]

I always believed the blue bar was tombstones best blade

[@wristofkings]

Hi Ray =) Will you still be able to fit the old weapon bars in what you have planned for Season 8, or is everything going to be shrunk down accordingly?

[@ray9368]

We had various length bars before, so if I did this (big if) I would build around the shorter bars that we already have. So some of what I have would be reusable.

[@ruvimsemenyuk8224]

Ray would you ever make a disk,” and or. A asymmetrical blade , and would you ever consider adding a few forks on the back ?

[@lalligood]

Instead of shortening the weapon side of the robot, would it be crazy to move the wheel mounts forward (towards the center of the robot)?

[@ray9368]

There is a small amount of movement there that can happen, but not enough in my opinion. It will probably take a combination of both to get the movement I am looking for.

[@Red_Beef_Sox]

Ever consider putting something like a wheely bar off the back of the robot in hopes that when it delivers one of Tombstone's signature giant hits, that the robot won't pop up and become airborne?

[@codered9472]

Will the shorter weapon support mean the bars will be shorter and perhaps thicker (Maybe like Malice), or do they have enough clearance to spare? Love the bot btw, it’s been one of my favorites since WC1. Cannot wait to see it back and winning again!

[@Wddh4410]

Armchair engineer here 😛 would moving the weapon motor back and placing some lighter electronic forward help with the weight distribution issue? I know that would mean a longer weapon chain and a new possible issue, but if the robot drives better and recoils more reliably, that could be an okay trade-off 🤔

[@darthgbc363]

Maybe form the AR Plate to add strength while keeping things light.

[@tjs114]

Have you ever considered putting a single, non-powered caster on the center back of Tombstone? One large enough that it would be functional either upright or inverted? I can't help but think a 'training wheel' in the back might be enough to help when you start to get off balance and if it got blasted off? Well, it wouldn't hinder you too much.

[@shannontech4126]

Wade billings is a bad bad man

[@Leatherface123.]

Do you still have any of your last rites frames?

[@ray9368]

There are a few yes. Basic configuration is very similar, just slightly smaller and thinner material to accommodate the lighter weight. LR is 220 pounds, TS is 250.

[@alialherz705]

Ray please address what happened to tombstone in regards to the last few seasons

[@Gatrests14]

I would also try the old season 5 with a cross of season 6 frame with all the dimansions and tubes from the season 5 with the top armor set inside between the tubes like in season 6. This will probably help with weight, top-heavy weapon drag, and good durability.

[@Kyros420]

I’m absolutely loving all these new more in depth videos on Tombstone 🪦 Ray keep up the amazing work at this rate your bound to win the Giant Nut AGAIN 🔩 & The Golden Bolt