We’ve been busy working on the new Mars Rover. Over the last few days we’ve been focused on the chassis, the thin-film solar panels for the top, the mast, and aligning the servos for steering. Pics below.
![The completed "solar wings" and top plate.](https://beatty-robotics.com/wp-content/uploads/P4056715.jpg)
The completed “solar wings” and top deck. These are actual thin-film solar panels attached to custom-machined aluminum plates.
![We ran into a particular challenge when it came time to build the mast. In the end, we decided to design and machine a custom servo plate using the CNC. The top of the plate will hold the pan servo. The bottom of the plate will hold the shaft tube (using a circular slot).](https://beatty-robotics.com/wp-content/uploads/P3316654.jpeg)
We ran into a particular challenge when it came time to build the mast. In the end, we decided to design and machine a custom servo plate using the CNC. The top of the plate will hold the pan servo. The bottom of the plate will hold the shaft tube (using a circular slot).
![The custom servo plate mounted on the mast. The plate is held down with a threaded rod that goes down through the mast and threads into the bottom of the rover.](https://beatty-robotics.com/wp-content/uploads/P4026676.jpeg)
The custom servo plate mounted on the mast. The plate is held down with a threaded rod that goes down through the mast and threads into the bottom of the rover.
This is gorgeous; beautifully made! I look forward to seeing it in our exhibit.
Martin