Robot Parts

One of the hardest things for a robot builder is locating sources for robot components. Here is a list of vendors. I have done business with most of them, and I haven't included any companies that didn't treat me right. Call them up and ask for a catalog. Some of them only send catalogs to companies, so give your enterprise a name. I hope that you'll forgive me for keeping some of my sources secret.


ROBOT KITS
No need to search any further. BattleKits.com has what you need!

ROBOT MOTORS
We recommend our own Magmotor.

ROBOT METALS
Check out the Robot Parts section of RobotBooks.com for a link to a great source for small quantities of metals and plastics for building robots.


GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

The first thing a robot builder should do is get a catalog from McMASTER CARR. They have everything. You can build excellent robots using just parts from this catalog. 99% of their products are in stock, and if you order today, you can expect the part to be at your doorstep tomorrow. (562) 692-5911

MSC INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY is the largest catalog in my office (4075 pages). They carry many of the items that McMaster Carr does, plus a large selection of cutting tools (potential weapons), and machine shop equipment. (800) 645-7270

The GRAINGER catalog has 4106 pages but in a smaller format than the MSC catalog, so they come in second, sizewise. They sell many of the same items as the above two companies, but they also carry many items that you won't find in the other catalogs. http://www.grainger.com

SMALL PARTS INC. Has a wide range of many hard to find parts. Ask for catalog #17. It has a picture of our "STEALTH" robot which won the 1995 "FIRST" competition at Disney World in Florida. (800) 220-4242



POWER TRANSMISSION

Power transmission equipment includes things like belts, chains, sprockets, pulleys, bearings, and gears.

W.M. BERG should be your first phone call. (800) 232-2374

BOSTON GEAR carries some heavier-duty parts than Berg. (617) 328-3300



METALS

See the BioHazard Materials page for more info. Here are the sources listed on that page:

C AND B SALES (800) 926-2600 (Magnesium)

METAL SUPPLY (800) 638-2521 (Magnesium)

MARK METALS (800) 955-6404 (Magnesium)

TICO (800) 521-4392 (Titanium)

PRESIDENT (800) 225-0304 (Titanium)

CARPENTER (213) 587-9131 (AirMet 100)


PLASTICS

INDUSTRIAL PLASTICS (800 362-1000

LAIRD PLASTICS (407) 689-2200

RYERSON PLASTICS (800) 242-2114

U.S. PLASTICS (800) 537-9724

CADILLAC PLASTICS (800) 274-1000

COMMERCIAL PLASTICS (800) 325-1262

POLYMER PLASTICS (650) 968-2212



RADIO CONTROL EQUIPMENT

This is where you will find items like radio transmitters, Small motors, electronic speed controls, and tons of parts that could be used in feather or lightweight robots.

The largest is probably TOWER HOBBIES. (800) 637-4989

HOBBY LOBBY has a large selection of small motors and other items that Tower Hobbies doesn't handle. (615) 373-1444

FMA Direct. R/C equipment. (800) 343-2934

VANTEC. Low voltage, high amperage, electronic speed controls. The choice of most of the heavyweight competitors. (805) 929-5055

ASTROFLIGHT sells some powerful rare-earth magnet motors. They also carry Nicad battery chargers and high amperage connectors. (310) 821-6242

AVEOX. Powerful and efficient small brushless motors. (818) 597-8915.

Bargain hunters might want to check some of the following sources. Their products are similar to those of Tower Hobbies:

SIG MANUFACTURING CO. (515) 623-5154

AMERICA'S HOBBY CENTER. (800) 989-3989

SHELDON'S HOBBIES (408) 943-0220



MISCELLANEOUS MECHANICALS

NORTHERN has a wide range of products, including gas engines, electric motors, hydraulics, and tools. (800) 533-5545

CUTTERS CHOICE. Chainsaw repair parts. (888) 288-8371

KART WORLD sells go-cart parts, including wheels with sprockets already attached, variable ratio transmissions, high performance engines, and tons of hardware that could be used in robots. (440) 357-5569

FLEX-LINK. Modular, extruded aluminum framing system. (800) 782-1399

DU-BRO. Lightweight hardware for lightweight robots. (847) 526-2136.

BALL SCREWS & ACTUATORS CO. (408) 629-1132



SURPLUS

For a low-budget approach, try the following surplus suppliers:

SURPLUS CENTER. Wheels, motors, and hydraulics. (800) 488-3407

C AND H. Motors and electronics. (800) 325-9465

MARLIN P. JONES ASSOC. Mostly electronics. (800) 432-9937

SERVO SYSTEMS. Motors and industrial robots. (800) 922-1103

AMERICAN SCIENCE AND SURPLUS. Lots of gadgets, only a few of which would be useful in a robot. (847) 982-0870