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Build Your Own TurtleBot: Plates

This project will show you how to build the plates for a TurtleBot without using a laser cutter.

  • By I Heart Robotics
  • Category: Robotics
  • Time Required: 1 Hour
  • Difficulty: Moderate
Build Your Own TurtleBot: Plates

In this project you will learn how to build the MDF plates for a TurtleBot using simple hand tools.

  • #25 drill bit (10-24)
  • Compass
  • Coping saw
  • Pencil

Steps

Step #1:

NextBuild Your Own TurtleBot: PlatesBuild Your Own TurtleBot: PlatesBuild Your Own TurtleBot: Plates
  • This project requires simple hand tools to cut 0.25" thick MDF to make your own TurtleBot plates.
  • A compass and calipers or a ruler can be used to make the basic patterns needed.
  • Once they are drawn on the MDF, a scroll saw or a coping saw will be used to cut out the patterns.

Step #2:

NextBuild Your Own TurtleBot: PlatesBuild Your Own TurtleBot: PlatesBuild Your Own TurtleBot: PlatesBuild Your Own TurtleBot: Plates
  • The plates have a basic outline of a 12.4" diameter circle. Therefore the compass should be set to a radius of about 6.2"
  • Using a fine toothed saw cut the MDF into roughly 13"-14" squares.
  • The approximate center of the MDF plate can be found by scribing a series of arcs whose centers are along the edge of the plate as shown in the second image.
  • Once the center is located use the compass to scribe a circle 12.4" in diameter.

Step #3:

NextBuild Your Own TurtleBot: PlatesBuild Your Own TurtleBot: PlatesBuild Your Own TurtleBot: PlatesBuild Your Own TurtleBot: Plates
  • For the arts-and-crafts portion of the project download the Mechanical drawings from the TurtleBot website and print out the PDFs of the plates at a 1:1 scale.
  • Line up the pages and tape them together.
  • Use a craft knife to cut out the circle and line it up with the MDF you cut in the previous step.
  • Using double-stick tape, attach the paper to the MDF.

Step #4:

Build Your Own TurtleBot: PlatesBuild Your Own TurtleBot: PlatesBuild Your Own TurtleBot: Plates
  • Use the holes marked on the paper as a guide for drilling the holes necessary.
  • A center punch will help keep the drill bit centered and will make a small mark that is visible if the paper gets torn while drilling.
  • Finish making all four plates, one of Plate 0, two of Plate 1 and one of Plate 2.

Conclusion

After completing this project you will have built all of the MDF parts for building your own TurtleBot.

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