Wow… Very nice.
How big are those holes in the sprokets (Screws and cutout) ?
The six larger holes are .5 the center hole is .237 and the drilled holes are .116.
I’ve made 4 more after posting the picture above and the only improvement I can see is making them out of .125 or .090 aluminum instead of .250.
The CNC only takes about 13 minutes to cut each one out. It’s a two tool operation, first all the holes are drilled with a #32 bit then a quick tool change to a .1875 endmill to mill out the .237 center hole and .5 holes then cut the piece out of the plate stock.
Very nice
Can’t wait to start cutting Aluminum myslef.
Do you have advice on which Endmill i should use ?
Here’s a picture of the bot so far. The top plate needs to be machined and mounted. I’ve just set it on to get an idea of how wide I want it.
Not sure if I like the new outer track plates. Think I might change up the holes over the sprockets for the next batch.
I’m going to try and copy Fish’s idea of using an IP camera and router on the unit. I haven’t had much luck with video transmitters using my rovers outside.
Very nice the outer plate.
I always like round hole in wheel in general… 
That’s 1/4" plate for the top ?
It will be billetproof…
I use 4 flute and 2 flute. I believe in small passes so I’ll take maybe .025 depth at a F10 feedrate. My plunge cuts drop down to F3 just to keep the endmill from vibrating too much.
The top plate is .250.
I’ll hollow it out a bit to make it lighter.
Can’t make up my mind as to a top plate that’s 6" wide or 4".
I’m leaning towards the 6 as it will give more room for batteries and the like.
Do you have exact link to order those endmill your using… ?
I only cut once aluminum on mine, it was with a 1/8 Router bit (HomeDepo for wood) and it was ok… but not good for drilling.
I get mine from McMaster Carr. Take a look at this link:
mcmaster.com/#end-mills/=i7sr69
There’s lot of bargains on eBay as well.
Good i have an account there.
Buying material… hardware etc.
Is there any specification i should look for ?
Buy the center cutting TiCN double endmills. They work great in aluminum.
Thanks a lot
Sorry for hijacking your thread with thoses questions.
Anytime!
Here’s the latest.
This version has the two inch tracks. I’ve ordered a set of 3" tracks for the next version.
Thinking I might put this one on ebay to help fund the next version.
Very nice!
Where do you find tracks like that, LM?
Alan KM6VV
Tracks and sprockets came from Lynxmotion. All the aluminum
pieces are cnc cut. I’m going to cnc one more piece to connect the
open top side of the inner track plates for structural strength.
That should look and work great!
What motor diameters/lengths can you use?
Alan KM6VV
3" version is progressing nicely.
I added larger 24vdc motors for the extra drag of the wider tracks.
My version of the tri track. Note the PGHM-02 planetary motors. They work well in this configuration.
Yeah, looks very good! So’s the CAD screen!
Alan KM6VV