Scioly.org

Battery Buggy Wiki
Past Threads: 2009, 2010

Well I guess I should get this forum going. I think forums are one of the best places to learn from so I suggest others to join in!

Looking at the rules, It looks to me that the main variable is the distance. What do you think of braking systems?

Regarding rule 3.g - wheels in their entirety must fit in a 30 x 60 cm space - Would it be correct to imagine a 30x60 box drawn on the floor, and the "footprint/shadow" of all wheels has to be contained within? Or is it possible that test would allow some configurations that are actually prohibited?

My students used a 12" threaded rod as an axle for a prototype, which is slightly longer than 30.0 cm. The wheels would fit in the box, and I wouldn't think that the axle ends sticking out would count as part of "wheels in their entirety" - is that a correct assumption?

hacksaw? just to make sure you don't leave anything to interpretation of the event supervisor?

kinghong1970 wrote:hacksaw? just to make sure you don't leave anything to interpretation of the event supervisor?

I'm sure that's doable, but in my experience, it's really tricky getting anything screwed on afterwards; there's usually some bending or thread deformation. It may be easier to find a shorter, pre-cut threaded rod. 12" is a pretty common size though, and threaded rods are pretty popular axles, so I'm guessing more than a few teams will encounter this eventually.

SPP SciO wrote:

kinghong1970 wrote:hacksaw? just to make sure you don't leave anything to interpretation of the event supervisor?

I'm sure that's doable, but in my experience, it's really tricky getting anything screwed on afterwards; there's usually some bending or thread deformation. It may be easier to find a shorter, pre-cut threaded rod. 12" is a pretty common size though, and threaded rods are pretty popular axles, so I'm guessing more than a few teams will encounter this eventually.

Cut the rod using a hacksaw at a slightly longer length, then sand off threads that have been damaged. Use appropriate PPE to avoid eye or lung irritation.

Thread a nut on from the other end, spin it all the way down.

Thread 2 nuts on the other end, and lock them against each other. Put a wrench on the two locked together and one on the other nut. Spin it off and it will fix the threads.


That's the redneck way if you don't have access to a tap and die set. But those aren't hard to come by either.

when clamping on vise, clamp the short end where you want to cut off, then use the vertical surface of the vise as a guide for your saw...

i manually "chamfer" the cut end and it usually helps grind out the ugly threads... but as said, thread the nut from other end.

Wheels and axles are too different things. I think you are correct in assuming the axle or any other part of the vehicle may extend beyond the wheel dimensions.

AliExpress has ball bearing thrust washers in various sizes -- 10 sets for $6.50. Needle bearing thrust washers are also available for $7 something for a set of 10. They are great for allowing a closer fit and still reduce friction.