Tinkercad Battle bots

This is a 2 part lesson where children learn how they can make 3ddesigns to make their own simple battle bot. You can decorate, tune, and battle these simple robots.

You learn 3ddesign, 3dprinting, and simple electronics while building these cool battle bots!

I am a teacher at the Makersbase in Breda the Netherlands. This is a Makerspace where we teach everyone from 8-88 years old 3Dprinting, Lasercutting, Coding, and much more Maker education. I am always searching for a creative way to inspire the new maker generation!

Follow more of my work and design on my Instagram!

Supplies

Materials:

• DC Motors https://amzn.to/3CreC3C
• AA Batteries https://amzn.to/3MirwWk
• AA Battery holder https://amzn.to/3MlP2BH
• Screw Terminal Block https://amzn.to/3CKvxzv
• Dishwashing Brush https://amzn.to/3Mld2oD
• Double-sided tape https://amzn.to/3Vsri3d

DC motors + Battery Holders: https://amzn.to/3SRRO40

Tools:

• 3D printer
• Computers

Step 1: Lesson 1 Startup

All we need for this lesson is to create ideas for the children on what they want to add to their basic battle bot.

They can do this by designing parts for it in Tinkercad. Think of a small weapon to push others or decoration for your battle bot!

What do you need for this part?

• Laptop
• Tinkercad Account

Step 2: Tinkercad Setup

Make sure that you give your file a name in the top left and add the name of your school or makers space!

Step 3: Tinkercad Basics

Placing objects in the work area:

• Picking a shape
• Hold your left mouse button
• Put the shape in your work are

Step 4: Tinkercad Basics

Here you can see how to make your object bigger, smaller, taller, and thinner:

Black dots side of the cube: These dots are used to make the shape longer or shorter on one side.

White dots corner of the cube: These can scale the objects in 2 directions

Step 5: Tinkercad Basics

Moving your objects

Round Arrows sides: By moving these arrows you can turn your object 360 degrees

Black arrows on the side: By moving these arrows you can move the block in 6 directions

Step 6: Tinkercad Basics

If you put the blocks togthether you can make it one object.

• Put all the objects inside each other
• Select them all
• Click on the Group button in the right top corner
• To ungroup your object you can select the new object en click on the Ungroup button

Step 7: Tinkercad Examples Feet

These are examples of feet or underside of the robots that people have made.

Make sure that is not too big of a Surface area! Friction will make your battle bot slower!

You can also decide to make only the weapon for your robot!

Step 8: Tinkercad Examples Weapon

These are examples of weapons people made for their battle bots.

If you make a weapon look at how you are going to attach it to your bot and what it has to do!

Step 9: Tinkercad Public

Now we are going to set up your file so that the Teacher can access it.

• Go to https://www.tinkercad.com/dashboard
• Now hover over your design and click on the setting icon.
• Click on Properties
• Go to Privacy
• And select Public

Step 10: Lesson 2 Startup

To Do:

• Print all the parts that are designed for the robots
• Solder Wires on the DC motor if needed

Supplies needed for the lesson:

• AA Batteries
• Dishwashing Brush (Optional)
• Battery holder
• Screw Terminal Block
• Screwdriver
• DC motors
• Double-sided tape https://amzn.to/3Vsri3d
• General Art DIY stuff

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Step 11: Dishwashing Brush

If you have chosen to use a Dishwashing Brush instead of the custom (Feet) you need to take the handle of the brush.

Not a necessary step!

Step 12: Prepare DC Motor

It is important that you stick something on the end of the DC motor. This will help them with vibrating and moving your robot!

Here is a 3dprinted piece STL that you can stick on the end of the DC motor!

You can also just use double-sided tape and a little piece of wood to let the vibrate.

Step 13: Electronics

The electronics are really easy for these robots.

• Put the black and white cable from your battery pack into the Screw Terminal Block.
• Add the DC motor to the Screw Terminal Block
• You can now fasten them by using the screwdriv

Step 14: Assembly

Dress up your robot by adding colorful details, your weapons or make your own robot base. Make sure to use double-sided tape as it makes building your robot easy!

Step 15: Battle Arena

Make a custom arena with borders on the side so that the robots don't fall off.

You can also make a large hole in the middle that makes the battle more exciting!!

Step 16: Battle!

Have Fun!