BeetleBot The Simple Zippy Screw-Together Robot Kit! w w w. s o l a r b o t i c s . c o m 1-866-276-2687 SKU: K JB http://www.solarbotics.
Shell Board 2x Sensor Wires Switch Spacer Main Board Decal Sheet Power Switch Harness 6x Leg wires 1x Double-sided Sticky Tape Switch Harness 2x Switches 3x Nylon Spacers 3x 2-56 x 3/4” screws 2x 4-40 x 1/4” screws 4x 2-56 x 3/8” screws 2x Motors Tail Caster 16 x 2 56 x 1/4” screws 2x Motor Mounts 2x Rubber Tires Screwdriver 2
Screwdriver - The Essentials: Just in case if you haven’t used a screwdriver, here’s some tips: Step 2: Use a comfortable grip that supports the end of the screwdriver handle in your palm. Feel free to remove the metal shirt-clippy thing so it feels better in your hand. Step 3: DO NOT hold it like this. It will be harder to “aim” your screwdriver. This grip is reserved only for repelling shark attacks. “Righty-Tighty, Lefty-Loosey”. To install screws, rotate the screwdriver clockwise.
Step 1 - Preparing the laser cut baseplate: Let’s start by making sure our baseplate is ready to go. Being laser-cut, there might be some small pieces that didn’t fully clear out, so take a close look at each hole to make sure they are clear. If not, use your thumb to nudge the bits out. When you are sure all the holes are cleared out, peel off the protective paper mask. The little black bits can be thrown out. Step 1a: Press out any bit that might be stuck... Step 1b: ...
Step 2 - Installing the Antennae: The antennae work with the switches to create the “brains” of your Beetlebot. Get your antennae and two of the 2-56 x 1/4” screws. Just so you know, “2” refers to the diameter size of bolt, “56” is the number of grooves (per inch), and the 1/4” is how long it is. Pick a side of the baseplate to call “the top”. Screw one antenna down to the hole shown in the picture below until the screw stops going in.
Step 3 - Switch Installation: Nest the switch in behind the antenna and screw it in. Make sure the lever tab points forward, and install screws in from the other side (the bottom). Lever tab points forward! 3c: Hold the switch on the screws, and finish screwing both screws in.
Step 4 - Battery Packs: The battery packs are installed with 4 of the 2-56 x1/4” long screws. Mount the battery packs into the locations shown on the bottom, with the metal pins poking straight through to the top side.
Step 5 - The Motor Mounts: The motor mounts are installed from the TOP SIDE of the baseplate. Install the mounts, each with two more of those wonderful 1/4” long screws we’ve been using so far.
Step 6 - The Motors and Wheels: Your motors come with white nubs on the shaft. Push the rubber wheels over the nubs. Find your two motors and the “double-sided sticky-tape” (”DSST”). If you want, cut the DSST in half to make it fit the motor better. Find the PLUS SIGN on the back of the motor. You want to put the DSST on the same side of the motor that the plus is. Peel off the DSST protective tape, and stick it to the motor.
Step 7 - The Power Switch: The switch is too big and gets in the way if we mount it directly to the baseplate, so we have to put it on a spacer plate so it takes less space. Slip the switch wires through the spacer, and drop the whole works into the rectangular hole from the BOTTOM of the baseplate. Screw it all together with the two #4-40 x 1/4” long screws, installed form the top side.
TOP BOTTOM 12
Step 9 - Plugging in the Main Wire & Switch Harness: With the antenna switches, these wiring harnesses make up the “smarts” of the Beetlebot. Simply plug the wires into the positions shown. The plugs slide onto the switches easily, but will stay firm. If you are not sure if it is connected right, unplug it and replug it in again. It should “stick” a bit when you try to pull it out. The rest of the wire plugs fit in nice and smooth, with no “sticking”.
:D Step 10 - Initial Testing: You are now done with the technical assembly of your Beetlebot. Plug the batteries in, and see if it works. It should zoom forward until an antenna is pressed, which makes the motor on the opposite side go in reverse. Put it on the floor aimed at the wall. It should hit the wall, then turn away and keep going. Everything good? Yay! Do a happy dance, and go on with the final stages of assembly. Is it not working properly? Hrm.
Step 11 - Adding the Legs: What’s a Beetle if it doesn’t have legs? Find the 6 pieces of black wire, and follow these steps to add the legs. When installed, bend them in a beetle-like shape that doesn’t rub the floor (which will slow it down).
1 2 3 4 5 6 - Eyes (center dot over screw holes) Left / Right Shells Eye dots (go on top of #1) Mouth (grin or smirk) Decorations Stars (just for fun!) 1 2 1 7 4 1 3 5 2 6 4 5 3 1 4 Step 12 - Stickers!: Stickers are fun - no doubt about it! Find the top plate, and get to work. Here’s a map of where everything goes. Use the cover for ideas.
Step 13 - Final Assembly: Take your decorated shell, and get ready to install it to the baseplate. Le’ts finally use those three long screws and the nylon spacers that look like a stubby piece of macaroni. Start by flattening down the battery pack pins, and tuck all the wires in towards the middle of the robot so they stay out of the way. Install a 3/4” screw through the top shell, and through a nylon spacer. Screw the top plate & spacer to the bottom shell, and repeat it for the other two mounting holes.
How it Works: The key to how the Beetlebot works is in the switches. They are not simple on/off switches - they are “Single Pole / Double Throw” switches, which means they make a connection to one wire or the other wire - there’s no “in between”. The motors are connected from between the two battery packs to a switch. Depending on the switch, the other wire to the motor is connected to the “+” side of one pack, or the “-” side of the other pack.
Rubbing Tire Clear Tire Have fun with your BeetleBot - look online for other ways of building another one, and keep building.
Enjoyed the BeetleBot? Want more? There are several more kits from Solarbotics for any skill level! Visit us online for more info and cool stuff: www.solarbotics.
