RobotServicesGroup.com
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Robonova-1 Build Report
We asked an inexperienced builder to assemble a Robonova-1 and report on the experience.
Please enjoy this special report from our builder, Dave.
While I consider myself mechanically adept, I have no experience building robots of any kind. Hitec, the
manufacturer of the Robonova-1, claims that the kit version can be assembled in 6 to 8 hours. My experience
took almost 13 hours. This time measure starts with taking the parts out of the box and ends with getting the
robot to move under its own power.
The provided instruction manual does a pretty decent job of showing you what to do. The focus of this report will
be on the mistakes I made, which hopefully you can avoid.
We asked an inexperienced builder to assemble a Robonova-1 and report on the experience.
Please enjoy this special report from our builder, Dave.
While I consider myself mechanically adept, I have no experience building robots of any kind. Hitec, the
manufacturer of the Robonova-1, claims that the kit version can be assembled in 6 to 8 hours. My experience
took almost 13 hours. This time measure starts with taking the parts out of the box and ends with getting the
robot to move under its own power.
The provided instruction manual does a pretty decent job of showing you what to do. The focus of this report will
be on the mistakes I made, which hopefully you can avoid.
This picture shows the packaging and parts contained in the kit
PREPARATION:
Before beginning, you should find a large sturdy table to work on. There are hundreds of small parts included in
the Robonova-1 kit, and building is much easier when you can keep track of all the parts. If you are going to use
a nice table, you should probably put down some cardboard or other protection to insure against nicks and
scratches. The servos may also leak a small amount of lubricant, so be careful and protect your table.
Before beginning, you should find a large sturdy table to work on. There are hundreds of small parts included in
the Robonova-1 kit, and building is much easier when you can keep track of all the parts. If you are going to use
a nice table, you should probably put down some cardboard or other protection to insure against nicks and
scratches. The servos may also leak a small amount of lubricant, so be careful and protect your table.
TOOLS:
The good news is that the entire robot can be assembled with a single screwdriver. However, American
screwdrivers are not the same as screwdrivers in Asia. Do yourself a favor and purchase a set of Japanese
Industrial Standard (JIS) screwdrivers. These screwdrivers are built specifically to match the hundreds of
screws in the robot kit. If you try to use American screwdrivers, you run the risk of stripping the screws. The
only other tool that I used was a pair of tweezers, which makes grasping the tiny screws much easier at times.
The good news is that the entire robot can be assembled with a single screwdriver. However, American
screwdrivers are not the same as screwdrivers in Asia. Do yourself a favor and purchase a set of Japanese
Industrial Standard (JIS) screwdrivers. These screwdrivers are built specifically to match the hundreds of
screws in the robot kit. If you try to use American screwdrivers, you run the risk of stripping the screws. The
only other tool that I used was a pair of tweezers, which makes grasping the tiny screws much easier at times.
Here are the 16 servos before building begins
After the build you can see a small amount of
lubricant has stained the cardboard.
lubricant has stained the cardboard.
I used the JIS screwdriver number 00
to build the entire robot.
to build the entire robot.
In addition to these several hundred screws, you
will also be unscrewing and re-screwing another
couple hundred screws on the servos. Make
sure you have the right tools.
will also be unscrewing and re-screwing another
couple hundred screws on the servos. Make
sure you have the right tools.
FIRST STEP:
The very first step in the manual has an opportunity to
make a mistake if you aren't careful. To make the robot's
feet, you are supposed to remove the servo "horns" from
two servos. The "horns" are the black plastic wheels
sticking out of the servos that move the robot's joints. One
side is called the front horn, which has small numbers
printed on it. This side actually delivers the power to the
joint. The other side is called an idler horn, because it
spins freely and adds no power to movement.
The opportunity for a mistake is that the front horn has a
small bit of plastic that sticks out from it (see arrow in
picture), once the round black wheel has been removed. It
would be very easy to accidentally break this small piece of
plastic if you were to rest that side of the servo on the
table while screwing in from the other side. Make sure you
don't break off that piece.
The very first step in the manual has an opportunity to
make a mistake if you aren't careful. To make the robot's
feet, you are supposed to remove the servo "horns" from
two servos. The "horns" are the black plastic wheels
sticking out of the servos that move the robot's joints. One
side is called the front horn, which has small numbers
printed on it. This side actually delivers the power to the
joint. The other side is called an idler horn, because it
spins freely and adds no power to movement.
The opportunity for a mistake is that the front horn has a
small bit of plastic that sticks out from it (see arrow in
picture), once the round black wheel has been removed. It
would be very easy to accidentally break this small piece of
plastic if you were to rest that side of the servo on the
table while screwing in from the other side. Make sure you
don't break off that piece.
Don't break the little piece of plastic
sticking out of the servo horn
sticking out of the servo horn
FEET AND ANKLES:
It took me one hour to assemble the left and right
feet and ankles shown here. Note that when the
instruction manual refers to the right or left foot, it
means the robot's right or left, not the builder's.
This is a front view, so the robot's right foot is on
your left. Pay careful attention to where the
servo is seated in the foot bracket. Also notice
where the silver screws are positioned in the
ankle brackets on top. Finally, note the direction
of the servo wires coming out. All of these items
are important for a correct build.
It took me one hour to assemble the left and right
feet and ankles shown here. Note that when the
instruction manual refers to the right or left foot, it
means the robot's right or left, not the builder's.
This is a front view, so the robot's right foot is on
your left. Pay careful attention to where the
servo is seated in the foot bracket. Also notice
where the silver screws are positioned in the
ankle brackets on top. Finally, note the direction
of the servo wires coming out. All of these items
are important for a correct build.
The robot's right foot is shown on the
left of the picture. This is a front view
left of the picture. This is a front view
SCREWS AND CABLE CLAMPS:
The instruction manual that came with my kit was slightly different than one I found on the internet. The
internet version showed many instances where certain screws were intentionally left off the robot. They
would ask you to set them aside for later when attaching the cable clamps. In my opinion, building the robot
was complicated enough without having to figure out which screw to leave off, and find a safe place to keep
them for a 13 hour build process. I found the best thing to do was to put all of the screws into their
respective place as I built. This meant I had to remove these screws again later when cleaning up the
cables, which is admittedly more work, but at least I didn't lose any of the screws.
During my build process I dropped 5 screws and 1 washer onto the carpet. Usually this took place as I was
flipping the robot over from one side to another. The long servo wires would sweep across the table and
knock the small pieces onto the floor. Luckily I didn't lose anything, but I figure the less small screws I have
laying around, the less chances one of them is going to get lost.
The instruction manual that came with my kit was slightly different than one I found on the internet. The
internet version showed many instances where certain screws were intentionally left off the robot. They
would ask you to set them aside for later when attaching the cable clamps. In my opinion, building the robot
was complicated enough without having to figure out which screw to leave off, and find a safe place to keep
them for a 13 hour build process. I found the best thing to do was to put all of the screws into their
respective place as I built. This meant I had to remove these screws again later when cleaning up the
cables, which is admittedly more work, but at least I didn't lose any of the screws.
During my build process I dropped 5 screws and 1 washer onto the carpet. Usually this took place as I was
flipping the robot over from one side to another. The long servo wires would sweep across the table and
knock the small pieces onto the floor. Luckily I didn't lose anything, but I figure the less small screws I have
laying around, the less chances one of them is going to get lost.
| All rights reserved. |
TOTAL TIME TO BUILD:
Here is a high level summary of each step in the process and how long it took:
Individual Step Time Cumulative Time Step
4 hours 22 minutes 4 hours 22 minutes Build both legs
1 hour 15 minutes 5 hours 37 minutes Build both arms
1 hour 30 minutes 7 hours 07 minutes Build Torso
0 hours 20 minutes 7 hours 27 minutes Attach both legs to torso
0 hours 21 minutes 7 hours 48 minutes Attach both arms to torso
1 hour 20 minutes 9 hours 08 minutes Attach head to torso
0 hours 10 minutes 9 hours 18 minutes Attach front chest piece & control board
0 hours 25 minutes 9 hours 43 minutes Connect all servos to control board
1 hour 15 minutes 10 hours 58 minutes Clean up all wiring using cable clamps
0 hours 45 minutes 11 hours 43 minutes All wires tucked under back cover
0 hours 25 minutes 12 hours 08 minutes Final wiring check, add battery
0 hours 40 minutes 12 hours 48 minutes Download software, charge battery
Here is a high level summary of each step in the process and how long it took:
Individual Step Time Cumulative Time Step
4 hours 22 minutes 4 hours 22 minutes Build both legs
1 hour 15 minutes 5 hours 37 minutes Build both arms
1 hour 30 minutes 7 hours 07 minutes Build Torso
0 hours 20 minutes 7 hours 27 minutes Attach both legs to torso
0 hours 21 minutes 7 hours 48 minutes Attach both arms to torso
1 hour 20 minutes 9 hours 08 minutes Attach head to torso
0 hours 10 minutes 9 hours 18 minutes Attach front chest piece & control board
0 hours 25 minutes 9 hours 43 minutes Connect all servos to control board
1 hour 15 minutes 10 hours 58 minutes Clean up all wiring using cable clamps
0 hours 45 minutes 11 hours 43 minutes All wires tucked under back cover
0 hours 25 minutes 12 hours 08 minutes Final wiring check, add battery
0 hours 40 minutes 12 hours 48 minutes Download software, charge battery
NOTE: These robots are not meant for children. All of the humanoid robot models discussed on this website use
powerful servos that can pinch or even crush your fingers if you are not careful. Consult the recommended minimum
age from the manufacturer before allowing children to use any of these robots.
powerful servos that can pinch or even crush your fingers if you are not careful. Consult the recommended minimum
age from the manufacturer before allowing children to use any of these robots.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Select a different Robot |