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Robotic Target

The less lethal rounds pack a huge punch and I needed durable pressure pads for no money, so I built them. I used egg crate foam with wire screen on the flat side. Brass split point brads are inserted through each cup of the foam and make contact with the wire mesh which is one conductor. Under the egg crate foam is sheet steel, which is the other conductor. The egg crate foam keeps the contacts apart, until the impact hits. When the cap of the brad hits the steel a connection is made which fires a relay that drains the rams, lights an led so I can verify impact location, and opens the robotic hand so the weapon is dropped. Here you see a shot of the cheap but foolproof pressure pad. (Look at the dents in the chest piece from the impacts...ouch!)

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Uploaded on November 20, 2007
Taken on January 19, 2003