What is Phantom?
Phantom is a 3lb “Beetleweight” combat robot built through Combat Ready Robotics during Fall 2023. It features an AR500 steel horizontal spinner as its primary weapon and 2 rear spikes for defense from the back.
Every component of Phantom’s design is self-manufactured, including:
- A 3D printed TPU chassis
- Casted Vytaflex 60 wheels
- CNC routed polycarbonate covers
- Water jetted 6061 aluminum plates.
You can see more of the design and manufacturing process documented below, as well as the competitions that Phantom has competed in during the last 3 years!
Fun fact: Phantom’s name comes from its transparent frame!
Competitions
Gallery
Design Process
Phantom v1.1
Phantom’s initial design!
Phantom v1.2
The first version of Phantom to appear in competition!
Upgrades:
- Moved the wheels outside of the chassis to maximize internal space.
- Modified the pulley design.
- Removed excess material from the aluminum plates to reduce overall weight.
Debut Competition: Sun Devil Smackdown 2024
Phantom v1.3
Upgrades:
- Replaced the standard brushless weapon motor to a Flash Hobby 3530 EVO brushless motor for more weapon power and a faster spin-up time.
- Reduced wedge and blade thickness from 1/4″ to 1/8″ to reduce overall weight.
Debut Competition: Wildcat Robotics Sonoran Showdown 2024.
Phantom v1.4
Upgrades:
- Replaced foam wheels with custom casted wheels!
- Phantom’s new wheels are made from a TPU wheel hub and Vytaflex 60, allowing for greater traction on arena floors for more maneuverability and sharper turning.
Debut Competition: ARC RoboRumble 2024.
Phantom v1.5
The first version of Phantom to be fully self-manufactured!
Upgrades:
- Increased the top and bottom aluminum plate thickness from 1/8″ to 3/16″ from more stability and bend resistance. The plates were water jetted using 6061 aluminum from a local metal supply.
- Overall length of the chassis was shrunk by 3/4″ to account for increased metal weight.
- Removed PLA spacers
Debut Competition: EVAC Cactus Clash 2024
Phantom v1.5.1
Upgrades:
- Upgraded drive system electronics to Repeat Drive Max V2 brushless motors and Repeat AM32 Dual Brushless Drive ESC. The new drive system allows for increased speed, sharper maneuverability, and more power.
- Designed an optional wheel “cleat” attachment made out of 16 gauge galvanized steel to be used when driving on wood floors to gain more traction.
Debut Competition: Wildcat Robotics Sonoran Showdown 2025
Phantom v2
Upgrades:
- Redesigned blade for improved spin-up and damage output.
- Restructured aluminum plates for better impact distribution.
- Added brass standoffs embedded in the chassis, eliminating self-tapping screws and reducing the total screw count for easier access to electronics.
- Developed a separate wedge mounting system to prevent chassis damage.
Debut Competition: EVAC Office Hours 2026
Phantom v2.1 – COMING SOON!
The newest version of Phantom will feature an improved blade design optimized for greater moment of inertia, delivering harder hits and faster spin-up. It will also feature a textured wheel design for improved traction on wood floors, eliminating the need for metal cleats.