Big Bot Starter Guide

Introduction

Welcome to the RoboJackets BattleBots 3lb Beginner's Guide!

The purpose of this guide is to educate the reader on some key factors relating to the 3lb weight class of BattleBots, such as common robot types, the design process, and common materials/components. While originally intended for members of the RoboJackets team, this guide contains information that is relevant to anyone trying to get into BattleBots!

This guide primarily focuses on robot design, rather than information on the actual competition. For information about competition rules, it is often different between competitions so please visit that competitions website or social media for specific rules. However, for a good generic set of rules that are common across most competitions you can look at the Northeast Robotics Club (NERC) rule set here.

Choosing a Robot Type

Introduction

Within the 3lb weight class of combat robots there are five common robot types found. This section will quickly introduce these commonly found robot types, and explain their similarities, differences, pros, and cons. By the end of this section, you'll have a clearer idea of what kind of robot is most interesting to you, as well as the associated design challenges of that robot type.

Drum Spinner

Drum Spinner - Radi and Radii Designed and built by RoboJackets Members (2016-2017)

This weapon is a spinning solid cylindrical drum with teeth at the front of the robot. It is driven similarly to a vertical or horizontal spinner with a pulley system between the weapon and weapon motor.

Pros

• Great beginner bot
• Reliable due to simple weapon
• Outputs good damage
• Weapon doesn't require too much space away from the rest of the bot
• Easy to design so it can drive while flipped

Cons

• Smaller strike zone
• Gyroscopic effect can make fast turns hard
• Large heavy weapon

Example Drum Spinners designed and built by RoboJackets

• Radii - 3rd place winner at Motorama 2017
• Snuti - Competed at Motorama 2017 and Sparkfun 2017

Horizontal Spinner

Horizontal Bar Spinner - Chewi Designed and built by RoboJackets Members (2017-2018)

The weapon is a flat spinning bar or disk at the front of the robot. It is also driven similarly to a drum or vertical spinner with a pulley system between the weapon and weapon motor.

Pros

• High damage output
• Large strike zone
• Easy to design so it can drive while flipped
• Weapon can withstand significant damage without breaking (bent weapon still functions well)

Cons

• Robot must extend out to avoid its own weapon
• Gyroscopic effect make turning fairly difficult
• Needs a lot of structural support on the weapon to prevent damage from recoil

Example Horizontal Spinners designed and built by RoboJackets

• Ki - Competed at Sparkfun 2016 and Motorama 2017
• Chewi - Competed at Motorama 2018, RoboGames 2018, and Sparkfun 2018
• Daddi - Competed at Motorama 2019