Advice on building a robotic moving platform

[amirm]

Hi guys. I need advice and am hoping some of you are enough into robotics, remote control gear to guide me in the right direction.

Need to have a flat platform that can with precision go forward and back a few feet. Precision requirement is to one inch accuracy. The platform needs to be able to carry up to 100 pounds. Speed is not critical. Need something as simple as this that would be able to be told to move forward and back with precision:

Movement will only be forward and back. Does not need to turn.

I am hoping there is a motor, gear reduction and controller available that I can use to build this. Alternatively if it is already built, that would be great.

Need it for an idea related to audio if you can believe it .

Tried researching servo/stepper motors and such and did not get anywhere quick. Appreciate any help.

 

[audioarcher]

Can it be on a track? A screw drive garage door opener might be able to be modified to do the job.

 

[RBFC]

I was thinking of high-grade drawer tracks. They could be set to limit the travel to desired specs. Alternately, a set of rails such as automobile-top carrier rails might be adaptable as well.

Lee

 

[amirm]

Can it be on a track? A screw drive garage door opener might be able to be modified to do the job.

No, it has to be able to run any ad-hoc surface including carpet, hardwood, etc. It also needs to be light enough and portable to be taken everywhere.

 

[amirm]

I was thinking of high-grade drawer tracks. They could be set to limit the travel to desired specs. Alternately, a set of rails such as automobile-top carrier rails might be adaptable as well.

Lee

Total distance to travel may be 20-30 feet so drawer tracks wouldn't work. I plan to design the limits myself so I am good there. Just need help with the thing moving on its own in a straight line. Per my other post, it needs to be something you carry to a place, sit it down and then it can move forward and back.

 

[audioarcher]

Here's a link.http://www.robotshop.com/dr-robot-jaguar-lite-tracked-mobile-platform-w-robotic-arm.html It's only $20k

 

[amirm]

That looks great! But can't believe with a straight face they price it at $20K.

 

[audioarcher]

This one seems more reasonable. http://www.robotshop.com/4wd1-robot-aluminum-kit-2.html It's a kit.

 

[audioarcher]

Actually I don't think that one can carry anywhere near 100lbs. This other one that is $600 http://www.robotshop.com/gears-hmc-heavy-metal-chassis-4.html can only carry 30lbs additional payload.

 

[amirm]

That's getting close. I would need to add a larger platform to it to carry the big load so I would lose even more cargo carrying ability. Hopefully there is something a bit cheaper and beefy. Thanks a bunch for your research.

 

[audioarcher]

That's getting close. I would need to add a larger platform to it to carry the big load so I would lose even more cargo carrying ability. Hopefully there is something a bit cheaper and beefy. Thanks a bunch for your research.

No problem Amir. I'm sure you could DIY something for about the same price if you have the tools and know how. The hard part will be figuring out how much torque you need from your motor and finding said motor. The RC part is probably not that hard to figure out. You should post your question in a robotics forum.

Sean

 

[RBFC]

Total distance to travel may be 20-30 feet so drawer tracks wouldn't work. I plan to design the limits myself so I am good there. Just need help with the thing moving on its own in a straight line. Per my other post, it needs to be something you carry to a place, sit it down and then it can move forward and back.

Your first post said "back and forth a few feet", so 20-30 feet changes the landscape! You might find some type of mine-car track on which you could use an automotive "creeper" dolly or similar.

Lee

 

[amirm]

Hi Lee. My problem is the self-locomotion of the dolly. It is not important for it to accurately track left and right motion. I need to just be able to know the precise location forward and back.

 

[RBFC]

Gotcha.

Lee