Latest iteration of spinny boiii, with a custom CNC-machined weapon and bulky TPU armor
Internal electronics layout with motors, motor controllers, RC receiver, battery, and power distribution
Winning the face-to-face engagement with a shower of sparks!
Took some heavy damage but still eeked out the win
Powerful hit launches opponent Action Surge airborne at ARC Roborumble 2024
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spinny boiii - 3lb Combat Robot
A competitive beetleweight combat robot with an egg-beater drum weapon and a powerful magnet-assisted drive system
Quick Facts:
spinny boiii is my first serious attempt at building a competitive beetleweight (3-pound) combat robot. The project combines mechanical engineering, electronics design, and manufacturing to create a robot capable of surviving and winning in combat robot competitions.
Design Iterations
Version 2.0 - The Competitive Iteration
Major redesign focused on competitive performance with carbon fiber construction and improved weapon systems
v2.0 Specifications
Version 2 represented a major redesign incorporating all the lessons learned from the original prototype. The focus shifted from pure learning to competitive performance.
Major Improvements
Version 2 addressed every major weakness of the original:
Weight Reduction:
- Carbon fiber frame plates (60% weight savings)
- Titanium weapon bolts
- Optimized internal layout
- Total frame weight: 1.1 lbs
Weapon System:
- Brushless motor with speed control
- Shock-mounted weapon assembly
- Hardened S7 tool steel disk
- Improved balance and spin-up time
Electronics:
- Modern ESCs with programmable settings
- Redundant wiring and connections
- Better vibration isolation
- Improved radio reliability
Construction Details
The rebuild used modern materials and techniques:
Frame:
- 3mm carbon fiber top and bottom plates
- CNC machined aluminum side rails
- Titanium hardware throughout
- Integrated wire management
Manufacturing:
- Waterjet cutting for carbon fiber
- CNC machining for precision parts
- Professional assembly and testing
Testing:
- Extensive bench testing of all systems
- Weapon balance verification
- Shock testing of mounting systems
Performance Improvements
The combination of weight reduction and improved systems resulted in dramatically better performance:
Speed and Agility
- Weight: Reduced from 2.8 lbs to 2.1 lbs total
- Power-to-weight: 40% improvement
- Acceleration: Much more responsive drive system
Weapon Performance
- Spin-up time: Reduced from 8 seconds to 3 seconds
- Tip speed: Increased from 180 mph to 220 mph
- Reliability: Zero shock-related failures
Competition Success
V2 marked the transition from learning platform to competitive robot:
- First tournament win at local competition
- Consistent performance across multiple events
- Podium finishes in 3 out of 4 competitions entered
- Fan favorite due to spectacular sparks and hits
Key Innovations
Several design elements from V2 became signatures of the spinny boiii platform:
Shock Mounting System
- Custom rubber isolation mounts
- Allows weapon movement without frame damage
- Significantly improved component longevity
Modular Electronics
- Easy field repairs and upgrades
- Standardized connections
- Redundant critical systems
Optimized Geometry
- Lower center of gravity
- Better weight distribution
- Improved stability during weapon operation
Version 2 proved that careful engineering and attention to detail could transform a basic concept into a competitive platform. The lessons learned here directly influenced the current generation design.
Test version 3
Test version 2
Test Version 1
