Instead of CNC or 3D printing, couldn't you just use something simple as Lego or Fischertechnik? Or other kits? (Maybe depends on how big it is supposed to be, and what it is supposed to do.)
But also, I thought that you can get some pretty cheap 3D printers nowadays?
Instead of batteries, couldn't you just use a cable? (Depends how freely the robot is supposed to move around.)
I have seen some robotic kits you can buy, varying widely in what they contain, and the target audience (ranging from kids to semi professionalists), and the price (starting at 100€ or so, up to 10k€ or so).
Lego bricks are fine, but you’ll still need to make custom parts to build anything mildly complex. In particular to make your motorization system hook to them (the native Lego system is pretty limited)
It depends on where you live, but the main cost of a 3D printer for me would be less the machine itself than the space and ventilation needed.
Friends who made the jump basically dedicated a room to making stuff so they can run prints overnight while ventilating (setting up a fume extractor is another option, it’s just a bit more investment in the “hobby”)
I see all of it as totally doable, but needs a serious level of dedication, time, space and money.
But also, I thought that you can get some pretty cheap 3D printers nowadays?
Instead of batteries, couldn't you just use a cable? (Depends how freely the robot is supposed to move around.)
I have seen some robotic kits you can buy, varying widely in what they contain, and the target audience (ranging from kids to semi professionalists), and the price (starting at 100€ or so, up to 10k€ or so).