Our BIGGEST project yet! (SPIDER MECH!)

Big thank you to Ryan Gariepy for helping out with ROS at the start of the project!

SOCIAL

SOFTWARE & SERVICES:

TOOLS / MACHINES:

CAMERA GEAR:

Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Hacksmith.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 THE BIG IDEA
2:03 BUILDING BEGINS
3:30 MANUAL STAND UP TEST
7:55 INTEGRATION HELL
11:56 NEW ENGINES
13:38 FIRST STAND UP TEST
15:55 OUTSIDE TESTING BEGINS
20:14 BOGDAN TAMES MEGAHEX
23:14 MEGAHEX WALKS
25:00 FOGGY MORNING
26:02 THAT’S IT THAT’S ALL

Hollywood Trailer By Cloudsystem
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Got It Going On By Jon Presstone
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River Runs Deep By Sounds Like Sanders
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Freaking Out By Tencher Music
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Lets Rock Today By LeadSquid
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Do the Math By Sounds Like Sander
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Serious Funkin Business By Jon Presstone
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Sunshine by Simon Jomphe Lepine
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Inspiring Epic Electronic By Leadsquid
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Deep Dive Alt Percussion By Luke Neumann
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Battle For Cybertron By vheissu
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Suspense Builder By Bobble Cole
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Fortitude By Humans Win
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Heavy Guitar Rock By James Grant
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Muddy Banjo By Humans Win
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Champion Mode By Loops Lab
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Between The Crosshairs By Humans Win
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Dark Tense Trailer By Moodmode
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When the World Is Tumbling Down By Jayson Wayne Brown
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Lift Your Head by Humans Win
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WARNING: THESE VIDEOS ARE FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. PERSONAL USE OF VIDEO CONTENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE HACKSMITH IS A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL WHO KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT HE'S DOING. EXCEPT WHEN HE DOESN'T. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RECREATE OR RE-ENACT ANYTHING SHOWN IN THESE VIDEOS.

[hacksmith]

*FAQ: Such a huge project makes it impossible to cover everything in one video, so here's a bit more information about why we did things the way we did!*

- The biggest challenge in this project was integrating and tuning our system, because big hydraulics, heavy frames, and tons of sensors have a lot of variability that needs to be checked. We used an open-source hexapod library to control how it walks, which has been used on much smaller hexarobots, and works great. Once the mechanical system is more reliable, it will be able to walk easily.

- A lot of people asked why we didn't make a scale model, and the answer is quite simple. When you get to multi-ton mechs, scale models provide almost no benefit, because you can't build a scale model the same way you have to build a giant steel machine. A toy version using motors wouldn't teach us anything. And if we built a 1/4 or 1/2 scale version, the cost would almost be the same as the full-size megahex -- because all the components required cost approximately the same, small or large (valves, sensors, even hydraulic cylinders don't change -too- much in size).

- This leads into another common fallacy when it comes to science fiction -- Movies like Transformers, or Pacific Rim... simply aren't possible. Doesn't matter how far technology advances, when you get to literal skyscraper sized robots... there's not any materials on earth strong enough to withstand the forces of such a big mech! Everyone's familiar with the common saying "The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall". And that really sums it up. Why is it you can drop a cat from a few stories up and it's fine, but it's certain death for humans? Because force multiplies with mass.

- Why flat feet? We had planned on designing different feet attachments for it (you can see the holes in the plates for mounting), but for the base foot, we went with a large flat foot with rubber pads on the bottom, as the initial goal is just walking on flat ground. Having a big flat foot helps ensure the foot remains parallel to the frame, and the leg perpendicular to the ground. A pointy or rounded foot would increase the risk of the robot "twisting it's ankle" which is the weakest link in the excavators. They aren't designed for angular forces.

- Why didn't we do more FEA calculations? FEA calculations are great, but sometimes are just theoretical for best-case scenarios. For the excavators, we didn't design or manufacture them, which makes them an unknown variable that makes it really hard to calculate things for!

- Are we going to revisit it? *yes* but it might be a while. We want at the very minimum for it to be able to stand up on display, and walk one leg at a time (the slowest, but most stable hexapod gait)

[richardmoore]

Don't typically do donations like this. I just wanna say thank for taking on this ride.

[jiricz]

I am studying Robotics and I am blown away by how far you were able to get with this thing. I was implementing a closed loop walking algorithm for Hexapod as part of my thesis and I know how hard it is in simulation let alone irl. You have my biggest respect. I hope people will see how much time and love is needed for things around us to work robustly. Thank you for what you are doing.

[cowtessa]

I'm so here for projects like this. Seeing the engineering work, the pride when it was working, the enthusiasm and effort. Yes, it was expensive, and I'm hoping beyond hope that, in the balance, it doesn't leave you in the red.

[CrimsonWings]

As an AutoCAD and Graphic Tech student who loves machinery and engineering but started a little late in life, I’m blown away by not only the patience/knowledge required to step up to this kind of project, but the passion/friendships through this monotonous adventure. Biggest amount of respect to you all, and I wish I could donate to your channel. However, I have followed for more content. You guys are BADAZZ!!! ❤️ 💪

[s.eljawhari]

As an engineering student myself it was really awesome seeing you guys highlight not just the successes, but the learning opportunities too! I loved having Bogdan walk us through the thought process and emotions at each step, as it gives us a very valuable insight into what truly goes into these videos. Personally this is probably my favourite video you guys have done, kudos to everyone involved! I hope you do more of these mini documentary-style videos instead of the flashier reaction-based videos, so long as they're fun for you guys to produce as well :-)

Small side note, seeing you guys just dragging it back and forth on the concrete like that made me laugh as much as it made me grimace 😂

[ICONxMADE]

Thanks for pushing boundaries and keeping the inner child alive. Love you guys and keep going!

[Baileh]

It's insane how you can build something like this. Major props to everyone at Hacksmith Industries :)

[Indian.by.heart]

This is how the real engineering looks like. Hats off to you and your fellows.

[KaliTakumi]

You guys are really doing what nobody else could conceive of accomplishing. The existence of this channel is a huge inspiration for people wanting to get into engineering!

[PlasmaChannel]

The sheer amount of dedication, resilience, and tenacity this took was remarkable. It's always painful when the idea in your head takes longer than anticipated. But have to say, the result is one of a kind. Your team pretty much did the impossible! I love the result, or at least the result that was temporary!

[jaylacke]

The level of endurance you guys have for these big projects, and the sheer amount of programming and engineering is amazing to see! Too bad this didn’t work out, but I can’t wait to see what you all having coming up next!

[raymond-andrade]

Awesome video. I would love to see a detailed breakdown of the software side of this project. This was obviously a huge undertaking to export the model from Solidworks (URDF?), to then manage the joint locations so you could get the nice real-time graphics in RViz and feedback to help config your PID controllers. Awesome job all around, really showed how difficult integration of robotics systems can be.

[leaixenavier]

I can't believe how much effort and ressources went into this video when I remember Jame's garage. This isn't much but I'll feel like I contributed to help keep making these projects possible for you guys! Amazing work!

[lennonnavarra]

*Collective consciousness starts playing* METALGEAR EXELSUS!

[donrayner]

The patience, ingenuity, and problem solving involving is nothing short of inspiring.

[oneweebinatree]

Holy CRAP! That was a hell of a Journey you guys went on to build this thing, and while it's unfortunate that you ultimately had to scrap it; thank you for making this video and showing us what it takes to be an engineer. I'm looking forward to your future projects!

[coderhex]

Raiden: Armstrong, impressive little toy you got there!

[liamtraynor]

This will be my very first donation to anyone ever on any platform, but feel like this is the right time to show my thanks in your time of need as a thank you for inspiring me to pursue a career in engineering. Thanks Hacksmith!!!

[ithuriel]

Good work team. Showing what you have done and the journey is all part of the learning. Loved to be brought along for the journey, appreciate it.