First post, new project, ShapeOko update

Hello,

This is my first post on this blog, which I've set up for the purpose of documenting my personal projects both for myself and anyone else who is interested. The tabs to the right link to different pages with more complete information and build logs on my past and current doings.

New project

With that out of the way, I'd like to introduce my (hopefully) next project:

The design is obviously incomplete at this point, but I'm aiming at creating a small yet powerful electric scooter for personal transportation at college next year. It will use a brushless motor and large LiPo pack  for power, while keeping with an aluminum (and maybe composite) frame to reduce weight. The drive system will be a simple #35 roller chain setup with two sprockets, and the axles will probably just be some 3/8" bolts. I'm trying to design the body around a piece of aluminum U-channel. This should make it less complicated to build with the tools I have access to, and will fit the electronics and battery easily with some modifications. Specifically, I needed to create more space between the bottom of the channel and the deck. I've illustrated my in-progress solution below:

I've modeled 12 (6 on each side) riser pieces that slide and screw onto the channel legs and attach to deck with more screws. It's easier to see from the side:

These risers lift up the deck ~.5" and free up some space for the battery. They will also (hopefully) give some airflow past the electronics (or make this scooter very non-waterproof!). My biggest concern so far is that the deck may warp or flex too much in between these small support points. The carbon fiber shown in the pictures would be great, but I may have to swap it out with something a little cheaper. It also has to be something that I can cut on a bandsaw. The handle and front wheel mechanism are still in progress, but they will definitely feature a lot more of the .25" aluminum plate that I have been using so far.

The emphasis on aluminum plate construction in this design has lead to the tentative name Mëtal Scooter. To be honest, a lot of this vehicle is serving the secondary purpose of testing a new mill kit that is coming in the mail to cut aluminum pieces. Speaking of which:


ShapeOko kit update

A couple months ago I purchased a ShapeOko mechanical kit. I'll hopefully update the ShapeOko page with my thoughts on the kit, and any other interesting things I learn or make with it. Supplementary parts have started arriving for the kit recently, and the UPS tracking page has the actual machine scheduled to come in on Monday. I now have the power supply, stepper motors, and Grbl shield for the Arduino. So far I haven't done much more than upload Grbl to the Arduino and tested the settings, but I'll hopefully have everything running by the end of next week: