Monday, 25 January 199

It has been very quiet on the robot building front recently.  In fact I've done nothing in months, although we've had some more nice ideas about new chassis designs and weapon possibilities.

Other new stuff that's going on is that I sent off my application, and it seems I did it about three weeks after everybody else for some reason...   Although there are musings that lots of other people still haven't got theirs in yet.  Tsk.

Monday, 24 August 1998

A lot has happened since I last updated this page.  We have taken delivery of the r/c stuff, the Vantec speed controller, 2 15Ah batteries and other such nicities.  At the moment we are working on the transmission which is the only bit of salvaged material so far - a pair of moutain bike rear wheels - basically the deralius attached to them.

On the event front, Robot Wars '98 has been running for the best part of a week, but due to time restrictions we weren't ready - as you might have guessed.   Also it seems as though BotZ '99 and several other groups are merging under the name of SORC UK - Society of Robotic Combat, UK.  Might be interesting.

Sunday, 14 June 1998

Just took delivery of the two motors.  I will upload pictures and more detailed specs soon.  We have decided to change our weapons strategy to weapons pods for greater versatility.

Tuesday, 12 May 1998

I have just ordered a pair of Sinclair C5 motors and 5:1 reduction gearboxes, which should arrive soon...  Mentorn contracts are in the post to them...

Friday, 10 April 1998

Well, it looks like BotZ 99, an event which promises less restrictions etc.  is going to actually go ahead.  I will keep you posted on that one, but I am taking an active interest.

Friday, 3 April 1998

I have found out about the lexan and also about a similar plastic called Makrolon, which is identical in properties to Lexan but is slightly cheaper.

I have also added the "TV Prog" section for those of you interested in that side of things, although I suppose if you have taken the time to come to this page then you have probably seen the programme anyway.  I've also replaced the team section with a supplier section.

Thursday, 2 April 1998

Still recovering from a barrage of April fool jokes, I have added scans of the Mentorn pack, which they sent out to everybody.  The files are still quite large (100k ish) for downloads, but they are there (be it in greyscale)...

It looks as though a rival event called BotZ may be set up for February 1998 and I am taking an active interest in this event, as it is run primarily as a competition, and a TV programme second, so there are less restrictions and the judges aren't biased toward good looking robots.

I can't find anything about Lexan, so if you do know anything about it then could you please contact me at RobertB@BTInternet.com

Tuesday, 31 March 1998

Finally received what I thought was the rules, but to my dismay it was actually a "join the Robot Wars club" thing.  They are actually asking for £10, and only then will they send information on entering the competition.   Money grabbers.  Anyway, I suppose I'll have to cough it up.  I do get a free lapel badge, though.

Anyway, more consideration has been going into materials this week, and I think that CSC is too messy and not really that resistant to rotating weapons as it is fibrous.  I think that lexan would be a good choice, but I need to find out prices and other such things.  If all else fails I suppose that plain old boring mild steel would be ok.  Although there are quite a lot of advantages to its credit, i.e. It's strong, light, cheap and easily joined.

Wednesday 25 March 1998

Well, today we decided on the materials that we would use to build the robot from.  We are going to use a hardwood on the interior but use carbon fibre (CSC) for the main shell.  This material is virtually indestructible and is very light.  I now have to start working out a work schedule, so I've got to go now.

Monday, 23 March 1998

Meeting went quite well, with quite a lot of details to sort out.   I spoke with my Tech teacher earlier today and he seems quite enthusiastic and positive in helping us, so we plan to start building any time now.

Sunday, 22 March 1998

It's the day of the big meeting.  At first I was a bit nervous bit it's now about an hour and a bit before I have to leave and I feel fine.  Andy should be coming over soon and then we're going to meet up in a cafe just down the road.

I've just added the "Overview" section that gives rough impressions of the robot, which are not finalised yet, but this is what's planned.   Also got a new counter - without advertising on it.  Cool.  You probably didn't even notice did you?  I then added a new Mercenary banner at the top of the page.   I bet you didn't notice that, either.  Hopefully you won't notice that I forgot which font I used for the icons in the left frame, either...

Saturday, 21 March 1998

Several things happening today, first I have been picking up hints in comp.robotics.misc, that an independent Robot battle type thing is possibly going to be set up if there is enough interest in it.  I can't use the term Robot Wars, because typically Mentorn have gone and made it a trademark.  Anyway, there will be far less restrictions on what can be done, and also it will be a competition where the TV crews are invited to attend, not a TV programme where people are invited to compete.  i.e. It's not all staged and biased toward the TV audience.  If this goes ahead I would seriously consider getting involved.

Second, it's the day before the meeting with our possible sponsor, and I have to iron out all of the mistakes in the designs to make sure everything is ok.  

Thursday, 19 March 1998

It's amazing!  He actually wants to meet with us!  We may have this one, although I'm a little bit worried about that fact that I have heard rumours that the preliminary date for filming is early August, so we'll have to "pull our finger out" and get the ball rolling - and soon!

Wednesday, 18 March 1998

I don't think that we'll get the money, so I'm starting to get a little worried...

  Monday, 16 March 1998

Rumours of a bloke that is looking for somebody to sponsor... could be our break.

Monday 19 February 1998

Ideas pooled, final decision to go ahead made.  We're on our way to the comp!