RoboticsConnection User Forum / RoboticsConnection Hardware Support / Robot Kit Support

The Traxstor DC motors

Walid — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:35:09 GMT

Hi, my question is about the DC motors used in Traxster kit. Can I use just the red and black wires with a battery to provide continuous rotation (without use of the encoder wire)?

because I do not know how to use the quadrature encoder.

Thanks,

Traxster 2 dimensions

peterpoon — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:42:13 GMT

Hi,

I'm very intersted to buy one Traxster chassis. I have alraydy a Qwerk board and I would be sure that the dimension of the board are compatible with the Traxster. Is it possible to have the dimension of the free place "inside" the traxster 2 when the motors are present ? Or do you have more precise datasheet for the chassis ?

Thanks a lot

Traxster passive Idler hub break

Arnaud — Tue, 06 May 2008 04:29:57 GMT

Hi!!

I have broken the two passive idler hub on my beautifull traxster :((

Where can i buy another pair of idler hub? jsummerour can you send me a web link or can you sell this item?

Regards,

Arnaud

Traxster small part broken

fakajax — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:03:24 GMT

Hello Jason,

I have broken a rear axle of the Traxster. Do you sell small parts of this robot kit ?
if yes, is it possible to ship cheaper than you propose currently otherwise, the shipment would probably cost 5 times the part price ?

Thanks a lot and regards.

Fakajax.

My opinion on Traxster and Serializer

fakajax — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:19:39 GMT

As I have designed and build robots ( as I'm not very good on mechanics but only on computer science and electronics, I do as far as I can ;)) and also buy severals robot kits, I think I can give an objective opinion on Traxster and Serializer.

Traxster:

- The mechanics is very well designed and easy to install. Strong and light weight, all parts (even the little ones) have been designed to be evolutive.Great job!

- The Motors are very powerful. I was aware it was better to use RC motors + encoders instead of servos. First, to be able to have enough powerfull to go on every surfaces. Then, encoders are required if we want to not have a blind robot in terms of positionning. With the encoders we can have an idea on a relative position and travelled distance. With a few other sensors as compass and some absolute informations, the robot can navigate easily and go everywhere we want.

- The only thing I was a little disapointed is the noise. Even if I put the silicon grease, my traxster in a tiling floor is a bit noisy. Probably due to the rigid plastic of the tracks.

Serializer:

If, when I first read information on serializer, I was not thinking it was for my robot, I really change my mind. I was using embedded microcontroller but was aware it was necessary to use more powerful controller than PIC, Basic Stamp or 68HC11, like PC/104 with geode 300MHz for example. But when I noticed the serializer can communicate with an external PC but also an embedded controller, I understood what the really interest of such board: If, like me you prefer a complete autonomous robot, you can do it with serializer.And if you have already experiment how it's difficult to test your programs on embedded microcontrolleron robot, the use of your PC + serializer for debug is the fastest way to validate your code. And of course for people who do not care about full autonomous of their robot, Serializer is wonderful. Moreover, I never find a so easy way to develop program for robot with .net? A lot of classes and snippets to use exsting sensors...Easy and powerful... I was also thinking bluetooth was not a good idea to communicate with PC and robot because of the relative short distance of emission... Again, I was wrong. The distance max between the PC and the robot is really enough to let your robot navigate around you.

In conclusion, I think Traxster + serializer are a very good robot platform and for the first time I can expirement easily and quickly what I have in my mind....

Fakajax

PS: Sorry for my poor english

Sharp IR Panner on Traxster II

fakajax — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:59:45 GMT

Jason,

I've just received my Traxster II. Thank you. Following the assembly instructions, I have tried to install my IR panner on the robot base but there is only informations on the IR sensor mount installation and not on the Sharp IR Panner. As I have also the CMUCAM Pan & tilt turret I cannot use the place dedicated for it.

Is the only solution is to make holes on the base to install it ?

thanks and regrads,

Frank.

Orginal Traxster ==> Traxster II upgrade

lawrencl — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:28:24 GMT

Hi:

I have the orginal Traxster and would like to upgrade to the Traxster II.

What parts can be reused and are the remaining parts available separately?

Thanks,

Lawrence

Caster wheel mods for Stinger platform?

jerryn — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:37:35 GMT

Just finished the stinger platform. The caster seems to be causing the bot
no to travel in a straight line. The code is driving the motors with the same power level and velocity. The bot tends to veer to the left(front of the platform facing away from me). Has anyone experimented with a ball caster
on the stinger?

Don't forget to grease the rear Traxster II axles/hubs!

jsummerour — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:47:41 GMT

For those of you who have received the new Traxster II, please make sure that you apply a small amount of White Lithium Grease to the rear axle/idler hubs. Without it, the aluminum hubs might "gall" against the aluminum axles, and prevent the hubs from spinning freely. :w00t:

I'm going to look for some small packs of grease that we can supply with each kit. Until then, you can find small tubes of the white lithium grease at your local hardware and/or auto parts store for a few bucks. I would refer from using WD-40, as it's pretty thin, and won't last long.

Also, the tracks require light tension, so don't apply too much tension to the tracks when securing the motors to the chassis.

Best Regards!

Traxster Dimensions - Inside

jsummerour — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:35:20 GMT

Several customers have requested the inside dimensions for the new Traxster II over the past few days, so I thought I would post some quick pics here (and I'll put some more formal dimensions on the web page in a few days...).

	Inside Height: ~1.5" (38mm)
	Inside Width: ~5.625" (143 mm)
	Free area between motors and rear: 6.5" (165 mm)
	Height from ground to bottom: 1.75" (45 mm)
	Front Ground Clearance: 0.7" (17 mm)
	Overall Length: 8.5" (216 mm)

Best Regards!

Traxster II Now Available!

jsummerour — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:30:02 GMT

We have now launched the new Traxster II robot kit. Be sure the check it out! :cool:

http://www.roboticsconnection.com/pc-15-3-traxster-robot-kit.aspx

Best Regards,

Improving the Traxster's Track Grip

jsummerour — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:34:31 GMT

While the Traxster will rove around happily on pretty much any flat surface (shag carpet, hardwoods, tile, etc.), climbing over large obstacles or up steep inclines can be troublesome. This is because the links are injection molded ABS plastic, which have little grip.

We just found some black spray-on Plasti-Dip at home depot (~$7.00), which you can spray on your links to greatly improve the traction.

It’s best to spray them on your links once you have 36 links assembled (number of links per side), but not connected at the ends (e.g. laid out flat). You also might want to scuff the top of the links up with sandpaper before spraying the plasti-dip on to improve adhesion, since the links are pretty smooth. You obviously only have to spray the Plasti-Dip on the top of the links, where they contact the ground. Do not spray it on the inner portion of the links where they engage the drive wheels.

The spray on Plasti-Dip is much easier to apply than the regular Plasti-Dip (which also greatly enhances track grip).

Applying the spray on Plasti-Dip will allow your Traxster to traverse up 45 degree inclines, and climb over many obstacles.

Best Regards,

New Traxster II Arriving Soon!

jsummerour — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 20:47:12 GMT

Last December, we refreshed the Traxster Robot Kit design to improve several aspects of it's desing.

The redesign addressed the following topics:

Refresh overall look and feel
Change to use a more durable two tone orange/gray/black powder coating for the chassis/belly pan/drive disks.
Remove unneeded holes, and add useful ones
Replace solid rear axle with two independent ones. This greatly improves ease of assembly, and removes requirement to adjust play w/ spacers.
Locate batteries beneath chassis to provide more room for accessories on top of chassis.
Add holes for Line Following Sensors
Add hole for Bluetooth Module Antenna
Enlarge drive disk bolt holes to ease assembly
Add holes for Push Button I/O Board

Here are some preliminary pics of the Traxster II.

Traxster II with eBox-2300

Side view of Traxster II with eBox-2300

Bottom side of Traxster II w/ dual 9.6V NiMH batteries.

Rear view of Traxster II. Note Push Button I/O board and horizontal slots for charging system.

Top View of Traxster II chassi with and without eBox-2300. Note, there are holes for mounting servos and/or our CMUcam2/2+/3 Turret.

We will also be adding several sensor accessories in the next few months to allow customer to expand their sensing capabilities with all of our robots.

Best Regards,