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Build Tips and References

Red Alert! This section should be called “How to Save Yourself a Lot of Grief.” Please read it carefully!

We highly recommend a pass through the online guide to gain a broad overview of the build process. After that, please follow the guide step-by-step to avoid problems. If you do make a mistake, the hardest part of disassembly will generally be getting the snap-together covers apart (double check everything before you click them together). 

If you break one or two of the cover snap hooks taking a cover apart, you will still probably be OK; if a cover becomes unusable, please contact us for a replacement.

👉 You can DM us through our Facebook Page if you are missing parts or need a replacement.

If the instructional video does not appear, please refresh/reload the page, or click the link below:

Build Tips

During the assembly process, some common steps below will be repeated. Familiarize yourself with these before beginning.

1. Installing screws

Video demo is for general instruction. Refer to the correct build guide section for actual assembly instructions.

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The screw box contains 13 different sizes of screws and three screwdriver sizes. Choosing the right driver for the right screw is very important to avoid stripping the screw head. Make sure the driver fits tightly into the screw before applying force. If the driver slips, stop immediately and get the correct size. The screw may still be salvageable.

The screw box also contains two different types of screws: machine screws and self-tapping plastic screws. For machine screws, which have finer threads and fit into a threaded hole, you may find it helpful to turn the screw counter-clockwise until it clicks and drops into the mated thread before turning clockwise to tighten. This will reduce the chance of cross threading. With machine screws, just snug the screw down against the surface: not much force is required.

Self-tapping screws go into unthreaded holes and cut their own threads. As a result, they require a bit more force to drive in, and you need to make sure you’re using the right driver to deliver that force. Still, if you find a self-tapping screw hard to drive, double check that you have the right one so as not to break the receiving part. Again, once you have it going, just snug it down against the part; don’t overtighten.

 

 

A magnetized screwdriver will make your life much easier, especially when you have to install a screw in a deeply recessed area. You can buy a magnetizer such as the one shown to magnetize the provided tools or use your own tools. If you don’t have access to magnetized tools, the video will usually show you ways to balance the screw on the driver and then hold the part to place on top of the screw. Poster tack putty is another option for keeping screws on the tip of the driver for placement.

2. Returning servo motor shafts to zero position

Video demo is for general instruction. Refer to the correct build guide section for actual assembly instructions.

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Before installing any servo motor, make sure the shaft is located at the 12 o’clock, zero position with the flat side facing the top of the motor as shown with green indicator (they should come that way). The two large bottom servos are the exception; they don’t need to be set.

 
⚠ The【Servo Motors (ID11, ID12)for the bottom wheels do not need to be set to zero.

You can use a servo motor wheel, Part H1, 【Servo Motor Wheels (main)】 to rotate the shaft to the zero position. Note that the servo wheel will only fit onto the shaft in one direction, and has a pointer on the wheel at the zero location which can be aligned to top center. If the servo shaft is not at zero, you will not be able to insert the motor into the servo wheel of the given joint.

 

3. Installing servo motor wheels

Video demo is for general instruction. Refer to the correct build guide section for actual assembly instructions.

If the instructional video does not appear, please refresh/reload the page, or click the link below:

The servo motors are inserted into the various U-joints as shown in the video.Tip the servo slightly and allow the shaft at each end to enter the wheel openings. The threaded shaft end always goes in the direction of the H1 wheel with the splined D opening. This part has two tabs which must sit in the corresponding slots on the joint. Check to make sure that both tabs are inserted and the wheel is sitting flat on the blue part after you screw it into the motor shaft.

Use tweezers to assist with wheel placement in hard to reach locations. Again, make sure the main wheel tangs are fully inserted and wheel is flat after screwing down. The joint can also be gently rotated after assembly to ensure perpendicular to motor body throughout full range (no wobble).

4. Installing electric connection cables

Video demo is for general instruction. Refer to the correct build guide section for actual assembly instructions.

If the instructional video does not appear, please refresh/reload the page, or click the link below:

The tweezers are your best friend for plugging in the wire connectors. Not only will they allow you to place the connectors in sockets where your fingers can’t reach, they work very well to seat the connector into the socket. You can hold the plug with one tweezer leg on each end, pull up gently on the cable, and then guide the connector into the plug. 

Then use the tweezer to push the connector until it is firmly seated. Note the plug does not quite sit all the way into the socket; a slight gap exists between the lip of the connector and the socket. Do not force it or damage the wires. Once it feels seated in, give the cable (holding all the wires) a gentle tug to make sure it doesn’t come right out; this way you’ll know its plugged in securely.

The connectors can only be inserted into the socket in one direction. Note how the connectors face using an easily accessible socket so you know how to insert them for harder-to-reach ones later.

To easily identify the connection cable, we suggest leaving the sticker on the unplugged side so it will be easy to find and connect later. 

Reference documents

Assembly time: 4~8 hours

⚠ If you need to pause the build, please put tools and parts in a safe place to avoid loss or damage. Be especially careful with the screw box.

Below are several references that can assist in the build process, or in case of unfortunate spills or drops. Take a look and see which ones work best for you.

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Parts List and Layout

This sheet shows all the parts and their quantities. Please compare the parts you received in the box against this list before getting started.

Note: the Getting Ready page also has a screw reference guide.

⚠ For any faulty or missing parts, or if you experience any other problems, please visit our Facebook group or fan page for support.

Build Process Diagram

This diagram tells you where you are in the build process and what is upcoming. Good for planning snacks and meals!

Connecting cable configuration diagram

This wire diagram is handy for double checking or troubleshooting any wiring issues.

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