2. RC tank V1

< Intro >

This is my first time making a remote-controlled project, which was completed in 2014. To start with, the tank was assembled using the various parts I have available to me, from aluminum sheets and beams as armor and structure for its body, to a PVC pipe and a sparker as a cannon mechanism. The wiring is simple enough, as it uses the 6-channel receiver that allows the tank to be effectively controlled by a transmitter, and in the end, what makes this an interesting project is that it can shoot out projectiles (one at a time) at a fairly reasonable distance.

Side view

< Operation >

As mentioned, it's controlled using a 6-channel receiver, all of which were given a preset of functions for the servos. For example, I used the first 2 channels for movement (controlling the 2 servos to make the tank move), and the other 2 channels for controlling the turret's positioning (mostly the vertical positioning), and igniting the propellant in the cannon once the user locks on to the target. Since there's no autoloader for the cannon, I would expect to reload it manually before taking another shot once again.

For the cannon itself, it works by using the propellant such as any flammable aerosols like from hair spray inside the cannon as a "launching" source, and once its ignited, the amount of pressure will be big enough to push any kind of projectile that was lodged inside out to a distance (for my testing, at least over 1-2 feet or more). The ignition was done using a strong servo that pushes on the trigger of the piezoelectric igniter, and once it's pushed, a spark will appear, combusting the gas. 

Prog 1a

Prog 1b

< Overall >

Honestly, building this project has shown me the ins and outs of making R/C devices, and how controlling them remotely can show a lot of potentials, and can also be quite fun when the whole project is done correctly. Of course, since this is my first time building an RC project, it did come out visually unpleasing, but the fact it does work is very good, so I would call this a success. 

And a fair warning, do keep in mind that using such aerosols can be a fire hazard, especially if mishandled, and/or near a heat source, and it's also the fact that different aerosols can achieve different effects.

<Front view>

<Back view>