Robo TK-100 Tank Chasis Assembly

This is an Instructable on how to assemble the Robo TK-100 Tank chassis.

This Chassis will be the base of an Autonomous Rover with attached Arm to be controlled via bluetooth. A Full set of Instructables including code coming soon.

The tank chassis can be found at smartarduino.com. It ships from China and took about 3 weeks to arrive by mail.

http://www.smartarduino.com/tank-arduino-caterpill...

Here are the links to the remaining parts of this build:

Robotic Arm:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Robotic-Arm-for-Au...

Autonomous Tank and Bluetooth Control:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Autonomous-Tank-W-...

1. Gather the two side wall pieces, 8 bolts, and 16 nuts.

2. Slide a bearing onto each bolt, then screw on a nut, tighten.

3. Insert the remaining part of each bolt through the holes on the side wall and screw on the other nut, tighten.

NOTE: In some of the pictures you will notice the second nut is not present on the side walls. This is because I had no instructions and did not realize it was necessary until later. Remember to add it or the treads will not be aligned and will slip off while moving.

1. Grab the 2 side pieces with attached bearings , the bottom base plate, 4 small screws, washers, and nuts.

2. Line the holes up with the curved edge of the base plate facing upward(this will allow a bit more space for the electronics) and insert a screw with washer from the outside in. Screw on the nut, tighten well.

3. Repeat on other side

4. Next we attach the motor mounts to the top base plate before attaching the top base plate to the frame.

5. Collect the motor mounts as well as 8 small screws, washers, and nuts.

6. Slide in the screws from the top down after adding a washer to each.

7. Tighten each nut well to avoid the motor mounts shaking loose.

8. Repeat on other side

9. Attach the top base plate to the rest of frame using 4 small screws, washers, and nuts as shown.

NOTE: If you do not tighten each nut well they will shake loose while driving and fall out. Most likely becoming lost forever.

1. Gather the parts for the sprockets(shown above)

2. Insert 3 small flat screws into a socket side piece and screw a long spacer onto each

3. Attach the thicker middle spacer to the middle of the other socket side piece using a thick screw

4. Screw the two sides of the sprocket together, tighten.

Time to attach the motors to the motor mounts

5. Line the motors up with the mount and screw the motors in place using 3 small, flat screws.

Now that the motors have been mounted it is time to attach the sprockets

6. Find the small threaded opening on either side of the thicker middle spacer and insert 2 small screws just slightly

7. Slide the sprocket onto the motor shaft in such a way that the screws will sit against the flat edges of the motor shaft when tightened,

8. Repeat on other side, tighten well.

The threads that come with this chassis kit are too long and require adjustment. Each segment of tread is held in place with a rod that has a textured end so that they can't slip out.

1. First, grab a tread and using a long thin object push against the non-textured end of a rod in the tread until the textured end pops out the other side enough for you to grip it with a pair of pliers.

2. Pull the rod out and drape the tread over the sprocket and bearings.

3. Align the tread into it's appropriate place and pull tight to allow the excess to bunch near the front bearing.

4. Mark the best segment to reattach too with a piece of tape.

You can leave the tread on the tank frame and pull the tread tight to reinsert the rod, then reconnect the two ends. This should be a bit difficult because the tread needs to be tight. Be sure that it is not too tight by testing that the tread rolls smoothly over the bearings and sprocket.

5. Repeat this process for the other side.

Note: For step 5 you can also reattach the ends of the tread before putting it back on the tank frame, just be sure not to bend the motor shafts while struggling to get it back on

There you have the completed frame. Next it's time for the electronics.