Watson Combat Robotics League Uses 3D Printing to Hone Engineering Skills
The Watson Combat Robotics League is a league in which teams design, build, and fight small combat robots to put their engineering skills to the test.
The Watson Combat Robotics League (WCRL), a competitive robotics league based out of Binghamton University (SUNY), is proudly sponsored by MatterHackers for their 3D printing needs! The Watson Combat Robotics League is a league in which teams design, build, and fight small combat robots. Inspired by the Discovery Channel’s Battlebots, students of all majors and skill levels team up to put their engineering skills to the test. The league has grown to over 125 students across 25 teams in the three years since the project's original launch.
Teams are encouraged to experiment with a variety of 3D printed materials for their bots. Current recommendations are for teams to print the bulk of their bot out of PLA, with PETG being used for the weapons used to damage other bots. Teams have been experimenting with TPU, ASA, and Polycarbonate to get a balance of weight, durability, and flexibility. Particularly with TPU being used on wheels to provide great traction against the arena floor.
In addition to the tournament, the student-run WCRL Executive Team works to provide an open-source “build-the-bot” platform to help teams get started – regardless of whether or not they are Binghamton University students or skill level. These files include recommended Bill of Materials, schematics, code, and design guidelines – all of which can be found on the WCRL website. The WCRL Executive Team also has a focus on K-12 additive manufacturing and robotics technologies, volunteering at local events and schools.
MatterHacker’s sponsorship of WCRL will reduce the cost to compete for individual teams, and allow for greater creativity across all teams. This sponsorship will also allow for greater K-12 outreach opportunities by the WCRL Executive Team.