Got Melty? what's the future?

small melty update
Since FI, I haven't had much chance to play with them, until a recent demo event in support of Joey Daoud's Botshigh video.
The semi self-knockout problems that I experienced with the 12# at FI seem to be resolved. More testing needed, but it's looking much better.
Rumor has it that a 60 will be built....and that funding for a 15 and possibly a 120 may also be in the works.
It would be nice if some others jumped aboard and helped to push this forward, or is the general consensus that "IT ISN'T WORTH THE EFFORT?"
Any and all feedback is welcome....
thanks

Rj...

Doing my own little R&D up here... Slow..... but waiting to get long term results before posting anything....

Maybe next fall or Winter should have a reliable system unless failure is the option from what I come up with..

Implementing in a 12#

FRISCO

Rick...kep me posted and good luck with it.

It would be nice to see a few of these show up as part of educational teams. Lots of educational value, imo

For anyone not familiar, here are a few links....

http://www.nothinglabs.com/openmelt/
Rich Olsons efforts, but so far limited to brushed versions.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/THERFL/messages/?msg=6684.1
Build and progress report on my efforts....going to brushless versions

Notes:

Building a simple test platform is probably the best and most cost effective way to get your feet wet.

Most recent videos

12# demo in support of Joey Daoud's Botshigh video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d0GGVLnuGA&feature=share

12# only match....at Franklin Institute 2010
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omjIn00fqUM&feature=related

1 and 3 pounders at GCRS
https://www.youtube.com/user/ReadytoRumbleCombat#p/a/u/1/_9oMNipEM20

this is real cool

I don't like fighting meltys, they don't have any vulnerable back to get at with my wedge. I fought against Melty B once, I came at it and it knocked me across the arena and took a nice chunk out of my armor.

-Scott

Koensig wrote:

I don't like fighting meltys, they don't have any vulnerable back to get at with my wedge. I fought against Melty B once, I came at it and it knocked me across the arena and took a nice chunk out of my armor.

-Scott

Actually wedge can do very well against them

Mr.Croup lost to Spinning Tortoise, but in the 2 finals matches at FI, with a dull knocker, the small TI wedge had no trouble deflecting the hits

Against wedges and any soft materials, my melties (at least) need to have sharp teeth.

Koensig wrote:

I don't like fighting meltys, they don't have any vulnerable back to get at with my wedge.
-Scott

thats the point

At the time I was running a full lexan wedge ie a right triangle shape. The teeth grabbed the lexan and sent me flying.

A melty can be a fairly easy build.

You do have to pay very close attention to motor placement. Also, the motors need to be bullet proofed (or as close as possible)

Electronics are not too complicated, but eveything neds to by veru well padded.

Receivers for example generally have poor to fair soldering. I've seen little components fly off.

As you go up in size/power, brushes fail easily....which is why I had to come up with a brushless solution or fold up.

Wheel materials are still (imo) up in theair, especially when switching between steel and wood floors.

I think that bigger meltys might do well in that possibly pneumatic tires could help.....Also, with the slower rate of spin, electronics could keep up easier than in some of my prototypes. My ant spins near 5k and electronics can barely keep up.

owever the forces on literally every component in a large melty would be exponentialy greater.

Unlike most other types of bot, there is still a fair bit of R & D still to be done.

Melty needs you....

Koensig wrote:

At the time I was running a full lexan wedge ie a right triangle shape. The teeth grabbed the lexan and sent me flying.

Lexan, aluminum - very easy to get a bite

Yeah that's certainly true. It was my first bot I didn't know anything then.

Koensig wrote:

Yeah that's certainly true. It was my first bot I didn't know anything then.

Everyone goes through this.....it can get much better as you continue to build

Rumor of a possible 220 in the works...somewhere

Rich Olson is back, playing with brushless melty!!!!

Oops, maybe this was a secret?