BattleBots Valkyrie [Video] Using 3D Printed Parts

This 3D printed robot Valykrie is a 250 pound combat machine for the TV show BattleBots on the Discovery and Science Channel.

Inspired by a stealth jet, this robot utilises an under-cutting blade weapon that spins at 250 miles per hour, with the blade weighing 65 pounds.

Because of the “tricky aesthetic” consisting of slanted overlapping armour plates and a complex chassis, Team Valkyrie face unique challenges when prototyping and developing their robot. With Markforged 3D printers however, they were able to massively reduce weight, rapidly prototype, and replace expensive aluminium parts.

Watch the 2 minute video below to learn more!

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Key Components

Team Valkyrie’s rapid prototyping capability has allowed them to produce hundreds of parts to refine their design, and the critical 3D printed metal components in the robot are just as tough as traditionally machined components.

These components include 3D printed steel motor brackets for holding the weapon motor in place, which is now half the weight of the original design, allowing for precision that is only achievable with iterative design.

3D printed Indexing Jigs that would have taken days to machine have also significantly reduced machining time and costs, and even the front armour bracket is Markforged 3D printed steel – ready to take the force of the most powerful robot weaponry.

It just goes to show that modern 3D printed materials are no joke – they’re high strength, high performance, and industrial quality.

And Valkyrie isn’t the only example of a Markforged 3D printed combat robot, or in fact, robots in general!  More and more modern factories are integrating 3D printed components into their production lines for efficiency through weight and cost savings. 

Front Armour Bracket of Valkyrie Robot from BattleBots 3D printed with Markforged
Engineer working on Valkyrie Robot from BattleBots with Markforged Logo

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