A simple robotic insect made from a tin can. Crafts for the garden - a great option for using tin cans Robot made from tin cans

14.04.2021

Implements behavior that is characteristic of insects. It vibrates, hums funny, its movements are spontaneous. It is easy to make and does not require much material to assemble the insect robot. There is everything necessary conditions, according to which the craft is shown for children's creativity. However, it can also be interesting for adults interested in robotics.

This vibrating robot moves along the floor, when its foot is in the gap between the tiles, it is able to lean on it and tries to climb out. Observing it, as well as making it, is an exciting and fun activity for children and teenagers.

Necessary for work.

Collecting the necessary materials for the robot will not be difficult if you find the main filling for this craft. You need some kind of toy that has a vibrating device inside. Almost everything else is easy to find right in your home. An aluminum can from any drink is suitable for this. You just need to clear it of any remaining contents and fill it with cardboard. An electric motor from any store that sells electronic parts for radio amateurs is suitable as an engine.

So, we need:

1 aluminum can
two 5 inch cable ties
one 20 inch tie
wire
1.5 volt motor
gear suitable for our engine
a screw and two nuts
thin wire
film or tape
tin can lid
one AAA battery
small syringe
two nuts for the switch.

pliers
sharp pliers
hot melt adhesive
soldering iron

Making robot insect legs.

Give the wire that was previously prepared the shape of a ring, the diameter of which coincides with the diameter of the jar. The ends of this wire will subsequently become the legs of the insect. Shape them as in the photo below.

Creating wings for the robot

Considering that our craft is made in the style of an insect, we need to make wings for it. To do this, take colored insulated wire or paint a wire that has already been used for the legs and paint it a different color. Shape the wire into a wing shape, then repeat the same, but mirror it so that the wings form symmetry.

If you wish, you can make the wings even closer to the real ones. For this, you can use another material, for example, transparent plastic.

We connect the parts of the product.

Attach the gear to the engine with glue and attach a screw with 2 nuts to it. Thanks to this combination, the engine will vibrate due to the fact that it is not located in the center. The vibration sets the air masses inside the can in motion and it begins to rotate chaotically, creating a funny sound. Solder the wires to the motor connectors. Check that the wire is not short and that it can be wrapped around the aluminum can and connected to the battery holder and switch.

Making a battery holder is not difficult. For this, use a small suitable syringe.

Assembling an insect robot.

Attach the legs and wings that were already made in the previous steps; you can do this using electrical tape, tape or rope. Attach the engine to the bottom of the jar, using the same materials for fastening. Place the battery holder on the top of the robot. Tighten the rope or electrical tape with zip ties. Place the lid between the aluminum can and the motor so that the motor can move freely with the load. Two zip ties will serve as antennas for the insect being made.

You can paint the resulting electronic animal with any color of your choice. In this photo, the can was covered with black paint.

Voila! Robot insect from aluminum can can be started for running. The entire work will require approximately one hour of your time. Not such a long time to give up the impressions of the craft. So good luck building your robotics!

There is something to keep teenagers busy.

Hi all brain designers! If you eat something tasty from a can, then don’t rush to throw it away. You can use it to make an original tumbler robot. It will vibrate and shake when you move its head.

This project uses a variety of tools and electronic components. So be prepared for various types works Now let's get started!

Step 1: Eating Goodies and Gathering Required Materials

First, prepare the cinnamon roasted pineapple (use pineapple chunks from a can) and add some vanilla ice cream.

After finishing the meal we will receive main detail of our project - a pineapple tin. In addition, we will need a container for spices and a hemisphere.

Remove the sticker from the jar and clean the inside and outside. Remove the magnetic base from the spice container, it's not difficult.

Step 2: Modifying the Tin Can

Find the center of the tin can, mark and drill a 10mm hole.

Remove the rim on the can using a special opener that does not leave any sharp edges.

Drill a 1mm hole for the cables 2.54cm from the center.

Drill 3mm holes on each side of the tin (two holes), 1cm from the edge of the can. These holes will be needed to attach the can to the trim ring.

Step 3: Drilling Holes in the Hemisphere

Drill six holes with a diameter of 4 mm at a distance of 3 mm from the edge of the hemisphere.

These holes will be needed to attach the hemisphere to the trim ring.

Step 4: Assembling the Weights

Attach the lamp nut to the threaded nipple. Place the washers one on top of the other in a column and secure the lamp counterweight to the threaded nipple. Next, screw another nut on top.

Place the weight assembly inside the hemisphere.

Note: You can use a lathe to sharpen the weight to fit inside the hemisphere. If you don't have a machine, then use smaller weights.

Step 5: Making the Trim Ring

An overlay ring is required to attach the tin can to the hemisphere. It can be made in several ways (3D printed, laser cut, etc.), but I made the ring from a plastic blank using a lathe.

One end should fit the inside diameter of the can (about 8.1 cm) and the other end should fit inside the hemisphere (about 7.8 cm).

The inner edge must be 5 cm in size to accommodate the printed circuit board.

The overall dimensions of the ring are as follows (subject to change): diameter 8.76 cm, height 3.2 cm.

Mark the holes from the tin can and the hemisphere on the trim ring. Drill 2.4mm holes and tap 4-40 threads in all holes.

Mark two mounting holes for the PCB and drill 3mm holes.

Step 6: Micromotor and Rocker Wheel Bracket

Use plastic brackets for the micromotor, they are very convenient. But you really only need the barrel parts of these brackets.

Sand or file the flat part, then drill a 2.7mm hole and tap a 6-32 thread.

Screw the angle bracket to the plastic motor bracket using a short 6-32 slotted head screw. Use washers if necessary. Solder the jumper wires to the micromotor and install the finished assembly into the bracket.

Using a slotted cap screw, some washers and a nut, place them between the wheel and the O-ring (see photo). Choose the number and weight of washers yourself to get the greatest tumbler effect.

Step 7: Installing the Micromotor Bracket

Insert the micromotor on the bracket inside the tin can. The end of the DC micromotor should be positioned in the center of the hole.

Make a mark and drill a hole to attach the corner to the tin can. Use a short 6-32 slotted head screw, washer, and nut to securely attach the micromotor bracket.

Attach the rocker wheel to the micromotor shaft.

Step 8: Fabrication and Assembly of the Potentiometer Stand

Remove the bracket from the light control.

Align the bracket and re-bend around the potentiometer. Bend the ends so that the screw holes are facing a flat surface.

Mark and drill mounting holes in the can. Assemble with 4-40 slotted head screws and nuts.

Note: You can use a regular metal strip, drill the required holes in it and bend it correctly.

Solder jumper wires to the on/off terminals and a 3-pin jumper wire to the potentiometer terminals. I used a detachable cable from a burned out servo. Pass the cables through a 10mm diameter hole.

Step 9: Assembling the Head

Mark and drill a 3mm hole in the center of the spice container.

Drill a 3mm hole in the center of the round potentiometer knob. Insert the screw inside the round knob. Place the handle inside the spice container and secure with washers and a cap nut.

Drill holes in the spice container for the robot's eyes - I drilled two 3mm holes. Once the container is powder coated, you need to attach a small piece of parchment paper inside using hot glue.

Step 10: Soldering and Wiring

Electrical components:
— Potentiometer
— DC micromotor from any toy
— Timer series 555
— Capacitor, capacity 0.1 µF (2 pcs.)
— Transistor Tip 120
— Voltage regulator
— 9 volt battery and connector

This step is very important. You need to place taller components around the perimeter of the PCB, or bend them and press them against the surface. There should not be any connections in the middle part (this area is marked with blue insulating tape).

Subsequently, a 9V battery will be placed under the PCB to avoid short circuits. I used a male connector to connect the micromotor and potentiometer.

Mark one corner of the circuit board for the battery clamp.

Make sure you first disassemble all components and clean them properly before powder coating.

Install the PCB inside the trim ring using two 4-40 screws and nuts. Make sure the battery connector is located under the PCB.

Step 11: Coating Components

You can paint the components in any color and use any paint application technique. I chose to powder coat some of the metal components using Metallic Red paint.

Make sure you first disassemble all components and clean them properly before powder coating. A video of the coating is shown below.

Step 12: Putting All the Components Together

In this step we will be putting together the four basic sections/components of the assembly: the head, body, trim ring and bottom hemisphere.

Connect the micromotor and potentiometer cables to the PCB mounted on the trim ring. Next, attach them together using two 4-40 slotted head screws and washers.

Connect a 9V battery and double check that the micromotor is spinning and other components are working properly.

Place a 9V battery under the trim ring and flip it over. Place the weight assembly over the battery and cover with the hemisphere. Install six 4-40 slotted head screws.

Place the head on the potentiometer stand.

Congratulations, the Tumbler Robot assembly is complete!

The article discusses an example of how you can create a simple robot based on a carbonated drink can. As a result, a robot came out that imitates an insect; it hums very interestingly and moves on its own. The robot’s operation is based on the phenomenon of vibration, and therefore best results The robot shows work on a slippery surface. The robot moves especially interestingly on a tiled floor; here it places its paws at the joints and then pushes off from them.

In general, such a robot will delight both children and adults.

Materials and tools:
- a tin of drinks;
- cable ties 2X5 inches;
- 1x20 inch screed;
- a long piece of wire;
- small 1.5V motor;
- a small gear or other connector that fits along the shaft to the motor;
- a small bolt and two nuts;
- film;
- thin electrical wire;
- one AAA battery;
- bottle cap;
- syringe (will hold batteries);
- two nuts for the switch.

Tools you will need: pliers, soldering iron, hot glue, needle nose pliers, stationery knife.

Robot manufacturing process:

Step one. Creating legs for a robot
You need to take a long piece of wire and bend it so that a ring is formed inside, its diameter should be close to the diameter of the tin can. Well, the ends of the wire will form the legs of the robot.

Step two. Creating wings
Since the robot will imitate a flying insect, it needs to be equipped with wings. A total of two wings are made, and they must be identical. To make wings, you can use wire or wire of a different color so that the legs and wings are different. For greater realism, the wings can also be cut out of plastic or cardboard and then painted to your taste.
If you decide to make wings from wire, then their shape should be as in the photo. The wings should be symmetrical. If the wings are different in weight and shape, an imbalance may occur and the robot will constantly lean to one side when working.

Step three. Mechanical assembly
You need to take the motor and put a suitable gear on its shaft. Next, you need to glue a bolt with two nuts to the gear. As a result, when the motor runs, vibration will be generated, which will then be transmitted to the entire body of the robot. At the same stage, you need to solder wires to the motor contacts. The length of the wire should be such that it can be wrapped around the can and then connected to the power source.

You also need to make a holder for the battery. This is done using a syringe. Nuts are installed on both sides, they act as contacts. However, you can directly solder wires to the poles of the battery, but then it will not be removable.

Step four. Robot assembly
Now the robot can be assembled. First you need to install the legs and wings; the author recommends doing this using film or rope. The motor needs to be installed using a film at the bottom of the can, and the power source is installed on top of the robot. In order for the motor shaft to rotate freely, you need to place a regular bottle cap between the motor and the engine.

That's all, now the robot is ready for testing. To give

DIY robot craft from a tin can with a magnet. Experiences for children can become a way of life for the whole family. Constantly come up with new things, constantly study the world around us and its properties. Create. Experiment. Fantasize.

You will need a little effort to make this fun tutorial. But it's worth it! Today we are making a robot from a tin can with a magnet!

Robot made from a tin can with a magnet

Interesting experiments and games for the development of children can be carried out using empty cans, washed from labels; quite powerful, but small magnets, caps from plastic bottles, various bolts, screws and nuts, and even household sponges and brushes - in general, whatever comes to hand.

These elements make funny robots - aliens, which will make any child crazy. The basis is a tin can - this is the body of an alien. Various parts of the body are attached to it.

To make it easy for a child to change parts on the body, magnets are attached to them using a glue gun.

Then the child chooses the element he likes, simply places it on the jar - and it becomes magnetized. Such natural magic will delight anyone!

If you provide a small researcher with enough materials for experiments, he will create a wide variety of robots, which can then be sketched on paper.

Funny robot aliens are ready!

Walli robot made of plasticine

You can make the famous robot Valli from plasticine.

Robot Valli is ready!

Nowadays, we throw a very wide variety of packaging products into the trash every day, but some products can be a good source for doing various kinds of crafts with your own hands.

So, as an example, you can take an empty tin can of lemonade or beer. Mostly crafts are made from tin cans serve as decoration, but if you use your imagination and imagination, you can build something useful and usable for your home.

DIY lighting fixtures from cans

Almost any jar can be used usefully, for example, it is possible to make a very stylish and original lampshade for a lamp. Therefore, the first step is to remove the upper part of the bottom of the can, using ordinary scissors or a stationery knife.

If you have a penchant for drawing, then you can paint the jar colorfully or simply paint it on the inside and outside. After that, you need to install a socket with a light bulb into the jar. That's it, the bright and unique lamp is ready for use.

You can also make an interesting and beautiful table lamp from beer cans, which can decorate the room with its unusual appearance.

So, to make a lampshade, you need to use only the tongues from the cans, but for the lamp stand you can use the tin can itself. To connect all the tongues from the cans into a solid and unified structure, a small cut must be made on each tongue, after which all the tongues must be connected to each other, and then the place of the cut must be connected again.

Country interior decoration

A very interesting use for tin cans can also be found for country house use. So, for example, they can be used in the manufacture of garden furniture; a chair and table are a very good idea to use empty aluminum cans.

So, in order to make a chair, you need to connect all the cans together using very powerful and reliable glue. For a more stable position of the chair, and so that it does not deform from the weight of the person sitting on it, it is advisable to fill each jar with sand after gluing.

Alcohol burner made from tin cans

Also, for many amateur travelers, it is very important to provide everything they need on hikes, especially a burner. Therefore, many tourists make their own alcohol lamps from aluminum cans, which are quite capable of replacing a conventional gas burner.

It is worth noting that the weight of a homemade alcohol lamp hardly exceeds 50 grams, while a gas burner weighs about 3.5 kg.

Candle lantern made from a beer can

So, to perform such a craft, you will have to make deep vertical cuts on the jar itself at a distance of 3-4 cm from each other. This process is performed with a sharp knife; cutting must be done carefully and slowly; if necessary, you can use a ruler for a more even cut.

After the jar is cut, you need to gently press it down a little on top, which will result in an interesting lantern design. If you don’t like the color design of the candlestick, you can paint it yourself with a special spray in the color you want.

Beer can butterflies and other figures

To make a craft of this type you will need a lot of patience. So, you need to remove two bottoms from an empty tin can. The result will be a rectangular sheet of tin.

Pay attention!

Carefully cut out the finished shape with scissors along the contour of a design, such as a butterfly.

When the butterfly shape is ready, you can give it more natural look, slightly give the wings a lively look and slightly decorate the butterfly in a bright color.

Thus, before throwing away an empty aluminum can of beer or drink, think that if you only turn on your fantasy and imagination, you can make useful crafts from tin cans, many beautiful and useful things that your loved ones will be able to appreciate.