Another change of direction.

I woke up this morning ready to print out the sandbox rover modified tub. I wanted to honeycomb the tub to save on plastic, and waterproofing is not an issue in the sandbox. But, as I was finishing up the honeycomb design, I needed the holes for the diff to be centered.

Then thought, what if I made it more of a componentized model, more of a platform to put things on or under? The tub doesn’t need to be structurally sound because it’s just balancing there.

This got me thinking that if I did make a “T” type tub where you can just put boxes of stuff on, then anyone could do anything they wanted on the platform. The mast could be a bolt-on, need more batteries then bolt on a battery. Want your batteries in a fireproof bag, then put them in a bag and zip-tie them to the rover. The more I type, the more I like this idea.

This new design idea gives me options to print out new “components” and attach them to the new tub design instead of reprinting the entire tub or rover over.

The second thought that came to mind is why do I still use AutoCAD to design this thing. Shouldn’t I be using something like Autodesk Fusion 360?

These two changes will set me back a bit, maybe a couple of months. In the end, I think it’s worthwhile.

Here is the new plan:

1. Get the camera mask working and testing. That test should last a long time.
   1. Assemble the mast
   2. Program Servos to raise and lower
   3. Program USB cameras to take photos.
   4. Get it outside until I decide it works or fails, and I need to fix it.
2. Start learning Autodesk Fusion 360
3. Start to design and build version 4 of the rover.
   1. Same suspension design. (improved a bit)
   2. Use the new design for the servo connections I talked about in an earlier post.
   3. New “T” modular design tub.

Here we go. Down a deep rabbit hole.