Ad: JLCPCB 3D printing from $1, Get $54 new user coupon from https://jlcpcb.com/3dprinting?from=J...
Free online Gerber Viewer from https://jlcpcb.com/RGE

I recently built an eight wheeled snake bike, and that was based on a smaller version I built some time ago. And before that I built a worm robot which moves by expanding and contracting. This is known as a system of Peristalsis, which from Wikipedia, is defined as a radially symmetrical contraction and relaxation of muscles that propagates in a wave down a tube.
While I was researching these projects, I came across another experimental robot which uses a wave motion, with the wave running down its body, to propel it forwards. This is a bit like how snakes actually move, Well, the ones without wheels or legs of course.
My original plan for this project was to make a surf board you can ride on the land, but using a mechanical wave like this to propel me along, and use a large set of mountain board wheels for steering. However, I thought I’d try to make a smaller version of this mechanism first so see where the potential problems could be.
It looks like the mechanical wave is formed by a thing that looks a bit like a giant corkscrew, which simply rotates inside a flexible track, so I 3D printed a former which I used to try to bend some wire around. I wanted this to be quite stiff though because in my version it has to support the whole weight of the machine, so I used 4mm diameter stainless steel rod. This was pretty hard to bend into shape by hand, and my resulting screw shape doesn’t quite match the former or the original CAD design, but we’ll see what problems that causes later.

CAD & Code: https://github.com/XRobots/WaveTank'>https://github.com/XRobots/WaveTank

You can support me on Patreon or buy my Merchandise:
***************************
Patreon:   / xrobots  
Merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/jamesbr...
***************************

Affiliate links I will get some money of you use them to sign up or buy something:
***************************
Matterhackers 3D printing supplies: http://www.matterhackers.com?aff=7500
Music for your YouTube videos: http://share.epidemicsound.com/xrobots
***************************

Other socials:
***************************
Instagram:   / xrobotsuk  
Facebook:   / xrobotsuk  
Twitter:   / xrobotsuk  
***************************

CAD and Code for my projects: https://github.com/XRobots

Huge thanks to my Patrons, without whom my standard of living would drastically decline. Like, inside outFarm Foods bag decline. Plus a very special shoutout to Lulzbot, Inc who keep me in LulzBot 3D printers and support me via Patreon.

HARDWARE/SOFTWARE

Below you can also find a lot of the typical tools, equipment and supplies used in my projects:

Filament from: https://www.3dfuel.com/
Lulzbot 3D Printers: http://bit.ly/2Sj6nil
Bearings from: https://simplybearings.co.uk/
Lincoln Electric Welder: https://bit.ly/2Rqhqos
CNC Router: https://bit.ly/2QdsNjt
Ryobi Tools: http://bit.ly/2RhArcD
Axminster Micro Lathe: http://bit.ly/2Sj6eeN
3D Printer Filament: http://bit.ly/2PdcdUu
Soldering Iron: http://bit.ly/2DrNWDR
Vectric CNC Software: http://bit.ly/2zxpZqv

Why not join my community, who are mostly made up of actual geniuses. There’s a Facebook group and everything:   / 287089964833488  

XROBOTS

Former toy designer, current YouTube maker and general robotics, electrical and mechanical engineer, I’m a fan of doing it yourself and innovation by trial and error. My channel is where I share some of my useful and notsouseful inventions, designs and maker advice. Iron Man is my goto cosplay, and 3D printing can solve most issues broken bolts, missing parts, world hunger, you name it.

XRobots is the community around my content where you can get in touch, share tips and advice, and more build FAQs, schematics and designs are also available.