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

March 23, 2012
Bulbdial on Steroids - the Chinook Shado...

We've been working with the Chinook Mall since they did a retrofit a decade ago, where they really amped up the mall, making it the keynote shopping centre of Calgary. One of their features is the "Time Capsule Clock", which sits in the floor of the center court, where a 1000 year time capsule waits […]

June 14, 2004
GM10 Wheels

These motors are simply too cool not to have wheels for, and although you can screw on a wheel to the existing motor output arms, these GM10 wheels are much more convenient. We built a micro-sumo robot ("MicroVore" - yeah, we know it means "micro-eater") for the PDXBot competition last week, and came in third […]

May 19, 2008
Closed Monday for Victoria Day

Hi all. It's Monday, May 19th, and for some reason, we have something called "Victoria Day" today. We're not open today, but I promise, we'll be back in tomorrow, rested and relaxed and ready to process your orders! Now to just beat these darn springtime allergies...sniiiiifffff....

September 25, 2009
Things for Movin' an' a-Groovin'

Alriiiight - it's time to shake and twist and turn! We got three new toys to show off, and they're all about movement: Pololu Wheel Encoder (for 42x19mm wheel) Rubber Tire Replacements for RW2 Sanyo SMD Vibra Motor Now, these are fantastic and all, but we know that everyone has the same burning question that […]

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