Painted GraviTrack

Solar botics
March 5, 2018

We always enjoy seeing our products being modified, revamped and DIY-ed, as well as the results of these transformations.

Our customer Vera Kark provided us with some thoughtful feedback on adding mechanical tweaks to improve our Solar GraviTrack build and documentation. She also painted the brown MDF of the machine. She used tempera paint on the wood components still in panelized form, and the GraviTrack's performance seemed to be unaffected. 

The GraviTrack looks great in vibrant jewel tone colours, however, we do not recommend applying paint to the hand mechanism itself. You can paint the base and the rails, avoiding the hand mechanism completely. The moisture and the thickness of the paint might affect the precise tolerances of the moving parts, and will interfere with its proper functioning. Another relatively safe option might be felt tip marker since the moisture from alcohol evaporates quickly.

 

Photos & video by Vera Kark

P.S. Also, a particularly bad idea is painting your GraviTrack after the assembly is completed. Even though we were using a very watered down acrylic paint, the mechanism seized up the moment the paint became sticky. Don't be like us. Take care of your GraviTrack.

A portrait of a sad stuck GraviTrack

MORE POSTS

December 9, 2010
From the Inbox...

It's always nice to get feedback (especially when it's complementary!):  I have to let you know about my experience with your company this Christmas season. I wanted to purchase a robotic kit for my husband who had never build a kit before. I called to get some information as I am very much a novice, […]

April 24, 2009
PICAXE is dead! Long live PICAXE!

Well we hate to break it to you, but the PICAXE-40X1 has kicked the bucket. Shuffled off the mortal coil.  Wacked, given up the ghost, became living-challenged, croaked, sprouted wings, snuffed out. "IT'S NOT DEAD! JUST PINING FOR THE FJORDS!" Well, that's not the case. But is does (did?) have beautiful plumage. But that's okay […]

February 9, 2011
Interesting Mini-sumo build

This mini-sumo design by Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin features our wheels, and one of our favourite building materials, Sintra. We can't laser-cut sintra (PVC=bad stuff when burned), but milling it works well, as this builder shows. The asymmetric motor layout works, as proven by this contest-winning design (scroll to the bottom of the page).

July 27, 2004
Bye Becky - Welcome Robin!

We're sorry to see Becky go off to work with her husband on their own endevours, but that's ok; we have Robin now - a most worthy replacement. Bye Becky - we'll miss you! Come back sometime and say hi to Robin, ok?

Solarbotics Ltd Logo
Solarbotics has been operating for more than 25 years, bringing electronics know-how and supplies to both the electronics professional and hobbyist. We'll be happy to help you too!

Solarbotics, Ltd. is not responsible for misprints or errors on product prices or information. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions.

Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.

cart