![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_094604.jpg?resize=840%2C473)
FireWire is my second 3lb (Beetleweight class) combat robot.
It went from initial thoughts to fully built in 2 weeks, as I forgot about the day of the competition.
The metal enclosure is from an external FireWire/USB hard drive. Most of the internal frame is 3D printed from PLA.
It has 4 identical gearmotors powered by a 4S (15.4V) LiPo battery.
Circuitry consists of an Arduino Nano, FlySky RC receiver, and three VNH3ASP30 30amp motor driver chips.
It placed 2nd in the October 2020 Utah Bot Brawl.
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200927_001218.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
FireWire/USB external hard drive enclosure
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/battlebotcadOct1_2020.png?resize=300%2C203)
Built the entire bot in Fusion 360
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200927_003217.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Doing some test fits
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200927_001231.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Extruded aluminum
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201004_085733.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
3D printing the gears with my Ender 5 printer
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201005_225828.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Regular weighing happened throughout the build
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201005_225906.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Test fitting some of the parts with the 3D printed frame
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201005_225913.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Linear actuator from Amazon. It can lift 13 pounds
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201005_231035.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Marking the metal to cut
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201006_003331.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Test fitting the 3D printed frame
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201006_114955.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Fully cut metal frame
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201006_003946.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
More test fits
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201007_001537.jpg?resize=840%2C473)
A circuit sandwich being test fit
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201007_100410-scaled-e1602439709766-300x283.jpg?resize=300%2C283)
Soldered together circuit sandwich
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201009_154449.jpg?resize=840%2C473)
All electronics installed
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201009_160449.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Lifting my old bot, Little Mac
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201009_160458.jpg?resize=840%2C473)
Check out the beauty of that actuator!
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_094420.jpg?resize=840%2C473)
Complete!
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_095038.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Can drive upside down easily
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_094345.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Front view
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_094404.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Rear view
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_094448.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
You can see my 3D printed gears
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_094506.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
The power switch is a screw you insert
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_094334.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Side view
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_094430.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Bottom view
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_212919.jpg?resize=840%2C473)
Coming home from Utah Bot Brawl
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_212937.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Coming home from Utah Bot Brawl
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_145637.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
After fighting Rival, a vertical spinner with some power
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_212953.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Coming home from Utah Bot Brawl. The poor linear actuator is torn in half
![](https://i0.wp.com/robowarner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201010_213044.jpg?resize=300%2C169)
Coming home from Utah Bot Brawl
After the Utah Bot Brawl October 2020