Competitive Self Loading Tank System

Hello everyone,

Im guessing at this point my current tank design will not make the cut, with two thirds of the year gone by and 26 supporters at this time, but Im not giving up. I have a working proof of concept assembled for a new design thats both bulkier and a bit more visually appealing. In theory it will be easier to operate but its got a few kinks to work out. 

The newest design has the same basic fire-in-reverse feature, but its using the hard plastic treads with a variably length that allowed my to power a sweeper at the front. As with the cannon, a ratchet design of sorts makes the sweeper spin to capture cannonballs, but only when driving forward with either motor. It uses a ball launcher design improvised from the EV3 mindstorms, which fires the ball at a satisfying arch, aimed correctly it can lob ammunition over obstacles 2 feet high. Wish me luck working out the kinks!

Also, Ill be at the fan run convention, Brick Universe, in Raleigh North Carolina, assuming nothing goes wrong. The guy in charge of the event has been very generous in setting up space for the tanks to operate.

http://www.brickuniverse.org/

This is a revamp of my original NXT powered self reloading tank, using a conveyor belt to pick up cannonballs as it rolled over them. The original had a larger conveyor tied to one of the motors. This version uses the motor-in-reverse drive from my smaller tanks to allow either of the driving motors to power the conveyor, and even better, only in one direction, so no more losing cannonballs if it has to back up.

Of course..this is just a treat for everyone to see, I don't see any chance of this becoming an official set, since it uses an NXT system, android device, and an application for said device to be remotely controlled. The revamp DID simplify the design quite a bit however, and left me with some spare conveyor parts. In theory, I now have enough parts to make a mini Bonaparte design that replaces the grabbing claws in the front with a rear conveyor belt that sweeps up cannonballs as it rolls forward while firing the cannon as it drives in reverse. I hope to have one working before the end of October. 

In more official news, Ive revamped the original grabby claws of the two motor design, the rate of capturing cannonballs is significantly improved.

I've got a goal design I'm testing. Id really like to have custom flags that the users can make to fit the battle theme. Knock down both of your opponents flags with cannon fire to win. Im wondering what you guys think of a cheaper base kit in favor of things like separate goal packs and support structures, etc? Also give me your thoughts on a more expensive tank with more parts and armor versus the base design Im showing.

Seems my additional photos aren't showing up in the updates so Ill have to rely on youtube for now. I've also got two tanks each with a goal to defend, could I tempt more people into supporting me if it results in a tank battle video XP

Of course I plan to give you a battle demonstration video either way ^_^

Besides the base tanks I've also got two other fully functional tanks, one using four motors, another using three, both of which I hope to show you in addition to the base tank I've shown already.

I'd love to see other people using the design to augment their existing mindstorms/power funtions, or even build the tank itself. Heres some of the detail in a couple pictures and a youtube video:

I know its not the best to work with but Ive got some time constraints right now, good luck!

EDIT: Ive got two pictures attached but they aren't showing up, guess they have to be reviewed first?