CHAPTER 24 ■ BODY BUILDING
Printing in 3D
A revolutionary way of hobbyist prototyping is to design a robot body in a 3D CAD (three-dimensional
computer-aided design) program and output the result to a physical material using a 3D printer. You may
still want to start designing with LEGO bricks or folded paper, but the 3D printer can create more complex
and permanent bodies – without the need for a machine shop.
See Appendix B to learn more about the 3D process and to see models specifically designed for the
Sandwich robot.
Embracing Prefabricated Platforms
Entirely custom bodies, built from the ground up, take a lot of work. You may not want to devote that much
to the body of every robot you build. Sometimes it’s more fun to concentrate on the electronics, software,
assembly, or tweaking. There are reasonable alternatives to making your own body from scratch.
Commercially Available Robot Platforms
A variety of base platforms are readily available for robots. Some commercial platforms are made from metal and
some from plastic. Most have plenty of screw holes, brackets, and wire passages built in. Some platforms come
with motors and wheels; others are designed with compartments and spaces ready for those parts to be installed.
You can find ready-made robot platforms at most web sites that carry robot parts. Lynxmotion,
ServoCity, and Pololu are good sources.
Converting and Recycling Everyday Items for Robot Bodies
Other sources for ready-made robot bodies are the toy store, hardware store, grocery store, and the recycling
bin. You’ll never look at packaging the same way again.
I purchased a couple sets of inexpensive plastic containers (see Figure 24-4) to store my mid-project
robot parts away from curious little human hands (you know who you are). Late at night, it’s easier to toss
unfinished piles of electronics into a container rather than return every component to the organizers.