Racing Tracked Vehicle
 

Hi everybody! I would like to share my project called MadCat, fast tracked vehicle. First prototype is heavier and slower then anticipated.
For those interested in the build here are some links:
http://www.rctankwar...php?f=23&t=9426
tread from my local forum translated with google translate: http://translate.goo...t=77572&act=url

And for those only interested in final result:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs6NmCb_dlw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDgXt5QGeOQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ql-eIy2kaU

Now I'm working on version 2. Here are some ideas how to improve it and make ti lighter. Less pieces, less stuff to go wrong, tracks will be one piece rubber robot track. Whole vehicle is almost 1/3 shorter to help with power to weight ratio. I can't decide between this two suspension types. Horizontal shocks require longer vehicle (or shorter shocks) and would result in lower center of gravity. Also inside of the vehicle can be completely sealed (even waterproofed if there is external heat-pipe or water cooling system). On the other hand buggy style shocks look awesome (at least to me) but they bring a ton of problems. Main problems are height of shock towers, inside of the vehicle will be very tight packed, and shocks hanging between track and vehicle-stuff will get caught there.
This screen shots are bit old, motors will be rotated 90 degree and placed forward near rear suspension arm for better weight distribution. Power will be delivered to drive sprocket true industrial constant velocity drive or two 45 degree sprockets.
Don't mind the mess, missing or intersecting parts on CAD model it is not finished.

http://shrani.si/t/q/Rc/1kHaumto/sneak-peak-4.jpg
http://shrani.si/t/15/TC/1xZyTJIZ/sneak-peak-2.jpg
http://shrani.si/t/3P/UC/3mROvNGi/sneak-peak.jpg
http://shrani.si/t/2J/vn/Oh3a5K4/sneak-peak-5.jpg

How do you like my first attempt ta modeling SC body? Would it even look good with tracks?
Does anyone know how big baja flux battery box is?
Any questions, opinions (good an bad) and ideas are greatly appreciated. There may be something that I missed or overlooked.

Racing or not, that's a pretty awesome machine you've built there! Nice work!

That's a fantastic machine. It really performs in those videos. At 81lbs, I'ld hate to have to marshall a race! Put a turret and cannon on it and show it off at some WWII events or military related rc events. Drop the voltage or run extra cooling fans on the escs to help them last, especially on hotter days.

Chop that body a touch and I don't think it would ever need marshalling!

Mad Cat, umm, naw that's too easy. Truth in advertising. :D

Awesome work. Thanks for sharing.

That's slow? i thought out was hauling a$$. Very nice

For being 37 kgs that thing hauls ass. Its faster/tougher than those military unmanned mine detector robots at least!! Congrats on the build I would love to race one as well!

bad ass


that is all thank you

I agree as we'll. pretty bitching. If you could post up pics on this thread that would be great.

Looks really cool. Reminds of the big stuff that Howe & Howe Technology builds.

I can appreciate the design and engineering aspect, but functionally I just don't get it. Short of designing a race track with logs, boulders, and other obstacles, what is the point?

A 1/5th scale can do just about anything in those videos, much much better, for way less money.

A bomb defusing robot is impressive, this is not.

hate all you want man, this thing is still badass!

its just missing a turret and 120mm smooth bore


Or mount a mini barstool to it and drive yourself around.

Totally killer contraption. It would eat a Kyosho Blizzard for sure. Awesome work.

Are you a douche bag with every post you make? Or just 90% of your posts? :weird:

Awesome vehicle! I wanna see it in some mud or trying to climb different obstacles.

You hit the nail on the head. Just looking at his username says it all.