New Projects and Updates

Hello,

It’s been awhile, but I have been really busy on various projects, and learning lots of new things. I have some new projects in the works, and have some updates.  I have been working on getting better at PCB Design and Etching process, that we learned at the TLN Makerspace.  It took a few tries, but I have the process down pat now.  Learning the parts layout, and size of traces, and many times of re-routing and autorouting traces, was tedious, but well worth it. There will be some evidence of that work on this site.

I’ve also come around to making progress on another robot platform I’ve had over the years…the chain-drive, copper frame robot, which is now named, “Rogue”. I will show some pics of it’s current setup.  I’m at the stage now of making it run around doing motion control routines, and also adding an IR Sensor for it to avoid obstacles.  I wrote some test code on my custom designed BB Arduino, and it is working, except the sensor has a bit of a wiring issue. I’ve fixed these before, so I’ll get it done, and post update about Rogue’s progress.

I’ve also got another project on the go. It’s a tank robot, that Rik, of the TLN, printed for me using the MakerBot 3D Printer. It’s out of ABS plastic, and green neon with black treads. Really Badass!  We had the opportunity to attend a ComicCon convention called FloridaSuperCon, and wanted to have some other bots on display, but I didn’t get it done in time. I just finished adding some voltage regulators,  1 variable, and another fixed 5v. The variable is for the motors from 9v to about 5v or so…and the 5v fixed is for the logic ICs (micro, etc.). I tested the motors using 12v, and 5v, and made a video of it. This maybe seen below.  I will be mounting the boards and doing a couple more motion tests, then on to sensors. It’s essentially using the same code as Rogue right now. I will post updates about this soon.

I’ve completed a few PCB boards, and they are working well. They are the BB Arduino, Low Power Motor Driver, board for Quadrature Encoder/IR Sensors, a combination board for Motor Driver and Quadrature Encoder/IR sensors, and some other “experiments”.  My latest design, is a power regulator board, and seems to be working quite well.

I have just finished a couple other bare bones Arduino for other projects, and motor controller. I’m working on the design on the LM298 Motor Controller board for some heavier duty motors, for the Boat project.

More updates soon.

GTank: TankBot Motor Test Video

Syndicated 2012-09-25 17:42:11 from Cyb3rnetx

Projects Galore

Allo,

I’ve been working on several projects since my last real post. It’s overdue for an update, and it has certainly been interesting.  I had setup a CVS Server, to house my software projects. However, since I’ve been using SVN at work, and that has been the evolution from CVS, or maybe GitHub.  So I have been setting up a remote SVN Server for my robotics and other project codes. The server has been setting up, but been playing around with hardening the Server (ie. Firewall, etc.).  I’m still playing around with the settings, and testing, but I’m almost there, and will be fully functional real soon.

I have been experimenting with the GPS Module I have acquired, and the sensors for Max (ie. Ultrasonic/IR).  It has been fun.  I’ve also been experimenting with the Odometry sensors, on a test jig, and tuning the ccts.  Some other experiments are with Linux, and Android as they may apply to Robotics.

I have also created a couple of Arduino boards, and playing around with how small I can build it. If I have some sort of SMD or QFN Package, that would be cool. It’s fun, and more like a challenge, but…been there, done that. So maybe I’ll create a PCB prototype, or just modify my prototype AVR board to accommodate the Arduino design. You can check my latest prototypes in the HERE.

The Sun Bots Site is being redesigned, and will also have more updated pictures and info, pertaining to the latest, of the latest…There are a few features in mind, and some new directions I want to take the group/club, but we’ll see…

At The Learned Nerd (TLN) Makerspace, we are looking into working on some other projects, including Guitar Amp, Arduino projects, Odometry, Metal Detectors, and lots more.

Sensor Fusion, Machine Learning, Algorithms, AI, Robotics for several new applications, etc…There are lots more in the works, but that’s all for now. I will update again soon…ABCYA!  Hope you’ll come back soon…y’here?

Syndicated 2011-11-22 08:06:48 from Cyb3rnetx

Max: quick pic

Here’s a pic from my phone of Max as it is now. Small pic, but I’ll add some more, better pics soon. Enjoy!

Syndicated 2011-10-02 18:00:30 from Cyb3rnetx

Max: Wiring & board placement

I rewired and relocated the motor controller and the micro board. Now all the boards are off the base platform and mounted on the frame scaffolding. This is a much cleaner arrangement and frees up some space for the batteries.
There are a couple more changes to do, so I’ll get to it, and make some more progress.
More updates coming soon.

Posted from WordPress for Android

Syndicated 2011-07-01 17:35:33 from Cyb3rnetx

Sensors for Max

I’ve mounted the IR and US Sensors, and have done some coding, to get the data. The data is being streamed via the UART, but that may go away, or be used mainly for debugging telemetry data.  I will be working on the control logic soon, once I build the data stream correctly.

The sensors that are mounted, will be exposed through the body of the robot. I just need to make the measurements, and make cut out the openings.

The sensors are on lower front (IR), side (US), and another on the top front (US) of the body. The top front, I am still trying to decide if I want it to incline, be on some type of motorized tilt, to scan up and down/left and right.

I will update again soon…

-Kevin

Syndicated 2011-06-22 01:02:21 from Cyb3rnetx