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Building Arlo — Parallax Forums

Building Arlo

ChrisL8ChrisL8 Posts: 129
edited 2015-04-15 14:19 in Robotics
First of all, the build was a real pleasure! Nearly everything fit together perfectly. All of the threaded items worked perfectly. The screws threaded in and screwed down effortlessly when put in straight, making it easy to avoid cross threading. Once they seated, they tightened up firmly and obviously so that there was no doubt that it was tight, and no temptation to over tighten. The tolerances were just amazing and the end result was sturdy and great looking. I told my wife it was like taking pictures off of a CAD drawing and putting them together in real life, they fit together SO well! That is the kind of thing you don't find in any typical store bought item. Even automotive parts don't fit together like this!

The end result is an amazingly quiet, smooth operating platform. We were all surprised at how quiet it is. The fans on the motor controllers are the loudest part.

I wanted to share my experience, so here are some photos and documentation of a some of the major steps and the issues I found.

Kit addition recommendations:
First, "missing" items. Nothing was missing that was advertised, but there were a few items "in between" items that should have been included in one kit or another, but were not.
Based on my experience I would recommend that you add the following items to your kits:

HB-25 Mounting Bracket kit:
http://www.parallax.com/product/725-29144
Add TWO more screws to each bracket kit. These should be the screws that would be used to attach the bracket to the Arlo Base.

Also, please add another photo to the web page showing the bracket mounted to an Arlo platform. This picture would work well:
http://www.parallax.com/sites/default/files/news/ArloPDB-06.png

HB-25 Motor Controller:
http://www.parallax.com/product/29144
Add a 3 wire servo/extension cable to each kit of suitable length to run from the HB-25 to the Propeller Activity Board location on the Arlo.

Arlo Robot Base Kit:
http://www.parallax.com/product/28960
Add the required stand offs and screws to mount a Prpoeller Activity Board to the Arlo Base platform in the typical location.
Add two additional #4-40 x 5/8” Round Aluminum Standoff and
Add two additional #4-40 x 5/8” Pan-head screw to facilitate additional battery mounting options.

If these few items had been included it would have saved me some hours of rummaging through bins and a trip to the hardware store. :)

Not to mention it would have made my entire build work without having to source a single part myself!

Problems:
I ran into the following problems:
  1. No tapping was required to fit the Axles to the motor shafts, they just slipped on.
  2. I had to drill out the holes in the axles to allow the drive pins to fit, otherwise it was impossible.
  3. The batteries were not held closely by the stand offs on the battery tray.
I will cover these more below in my report.

Assembly report with far too many pictures:

Motor Mount and Wheel Kit:
http://www.parallax.com/sites/default/files/downloads/28962-Motor-Mount-Wheel-Kit-AL-MP-Product-Guide-v1.0.pdf

Step 1: Axle
DSC_7774.JPG



Concern: NO tapping was required, and the fit was not the same left to right:
The shaft on the motor with they grey cable allows the axle to slide on and off easily with no force.
DSC_7775.JPG


The shaft on the motor with the black cable allowed me to seat the axle with mild hand force, and removal was the same.
DSC_7776.JPG



Swapping the axles left/right made no difference, so the difference is in the motor shafts, not the axles.
Once I had everything together there was NO play at all in the axles. Neither rotationally or side to side in any direction. They feel completely solid. So the loose fit on the motor shafts does not seem to be an issue.


Step 2: Encoder Disk
There was a lot of "chaff" in the gears, but this was easy to remove, and it was noted in the instructions.
DSC_7779.JPG


The benefit was lots of little black bits to follow me around for the rest of my project. :)

Step 3: Bearing
Everything went fine here. the bearings slipped on perfectly
DSC_7781.JPG



Step 4: Bearing Block
These bearing blocks are really beautiful! Parallax doesn't give themselves enough credit for these!
DSC_7785.JPG


If these were some "air intake spacer" for an American muscle car they would charge $500 for these, and have them spread out on a flashy web page with some models holding them suggestively! :)
DSC_7786.JPG
DSC_7788.JPG
DSC_7790.JPG


They also fit perfectly, providing the core for that amazingly tight motor drive system.
DSC_7791.JPG


Continued in next message . . .

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Comments

  • ChrisL8ChrisL8 Posts: 129
    edited 2014-07-28 12:29
    Part 2 . . .

    Step 5: Bearing Block and Drive Pin

    Problem: The pins would NOT fit into the holes in the axles!
    I had to drill the hole out bigger, otherwise I was just "driling" a hole with the pin.
    Once I drilled the hole out a bit I was able to hammer the pin through. It still took a fair amount of force, but it was possible, and unlike before, it wasn't producing any metal shavings as I pounded them in this time!
    The size of the pins or the holes in the axles should be examined.

    Step 8: Mount Encoder Boards
    See: http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/156137-Quadrature-Encoder-Easy-Installation-Tip?highlight=arlo
    DSC_7798.JPG


    Step 11: Rims
    HINT: I found that the "MADE IN CHINA" side was much harder to insert the rings into than the other. The other side allowed the ring to just slide in, but the "MADE IN CHINA" side was stiff.
    So I put the large (deeper) ring into the stiffer "MADE IN CHINA" side, because it was easier to work it in and have it stay. Then the thick ring could sit in the less stiff side without popping out.
    The result is that the "MADE IN CHINA" will be on the outside of the tire, but it made assembly easy.
    DSC_7795.JPG


    Castor Kit:
    http://www.parallax.com/sites/default/files/downloads/28961-Caster-Wheel-Kit-Rev-B-Product-Guide-v1.0.pdf

    Note that this kit includes the famous false bottomed zip lock bag developed for smuggling through Vogon check points:
    DSC_7801.JPG


    These casters are really nice. My kids say they look like the front wheels on an airplane.
    DSC_7802.JPG
    DSC_7803.JPG


    They are tubeless and just maintain their shape with their internal structure. This means that they ride easy over bumps without jarring the robot much, while still keeping the platform stable.

    HINT: I wasn't sure how to determine the gap distance, so I set the longest allen wrench between the mounting plate and the top of the swivel block as a gap guide, as it measures about 2.5 mm across. If the Arlo wobbles then I will have to adjust them, but at least I know that they are both the same height to start with.
    DSC_7807.JPG


    NOTE: I found that one mounting plates spun freely, while the other was stiff. It seemed to move fine under pressure, but it stopped if not pushed.
    I loosened and reset the set screw in the shaft collar a few times and eventually it swiveled more freely, but never as freely as the other.

    Arlo Robot Base Kit:
    http://www.parallax.com/sites/default/files/downloads/28960-Arlo-Robot-Base-Kit-Product-Guide-v1.0.pdf


    It is hard to imagine just how substantial these plates are before you see them, they are impressively thick!
    DSC_7799.JPG


    I was a little unsure about the 60 pound payload rating, but after seeing these plates, I am convinced!
    DSC_7800.JPG

    Continued in next message . . .

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  • ChrisL8ChrisL8 Posts: 129
    edited 2014-07-28 12:32
    Part 3 . . .

    Step 3: Install the Battery Tray Standoffs

    Here is one of the two batteries I am using. The PS-1290 which is supposed to be the same size as the 1270, but offer more run time.
    DSC_7808.JPG


    I was unable to find a perfect fit for my batteries without adding some padding.

    The closest left to right settings left a 6mm gap at the side of the batteries.
    DSC_7811.JPG


    I probably could have fit another set of standoffs in the middle between the two batteries, but of course I did not have two more.

    I ended up using some foam weather stripping:
    DSC_7812.JPG

    6mm of foam equals about 3mm of squish, so I doubled it up, and put three rows of it between the batteries.
    DSC_7818.JPG


    This provided a firm fit between the standoffs
    DSC_7820.JPG


    HINT: The instructions say to put the batteries on the battery tray, then flip it over onto the base. I laid the batteries on the base and then fit the battery tray over them, since these batteries are VERY heavy and "flipping" them onto the base would not have worked!

    The HB-25 mounting bracket location and HB-25 wiring is not well documented:
    The pictures from http://www.parallax.com/news/2014-03-28/arlo-power-distribution-board-arlo-robotic-platform-system-heading-kitting help tremendously with mounting locations and wiring.

    Also note that with the HB-25's and the mounting brackets, you will still be short 2 screws each to mount them to the base, and you will be short any cable to connect them to the Activity Board.
    DSC_7822.JPG


    Here is my mostly completed base:
    DSC_7821.JPG


    And here is my fully operational ArloBot!
    DSC_7824.jpg


    I haven't put all of the PING/IR sensors on yet, and I am just running the Activity Board from AA batteries, since my make shift Power Distribution Mess (patent pending) has no converters in it. I'm holding out for the Arlo Power Distribution Board for that.

    Final Words:
    Despite the few, and relatively minor, problems the kits went together very well. Especially considering that I had to purchase about eight different components to make up the kit. Including a trip to Radio Shack and a trip to the hardware store, cobbling together a power distribution mess from scratch with no design and getting the ASUS Xtion mounted along with some programming tweaks, I was still able to start the project on Saturday morning and drive the Arlo around the living room by Sunday night! So assembly time is very good and the finished product is sturdy and ready to run!
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  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2014-07-28 13:06
    Wow ChrisL8 - what a review! :thumb:

    Thanks for your feedback, and we'll look into making some tweaks to the "kit" that should mitigate some of the minor issues that you experienced.

    We think that Arlo is destined for greatness, and it's with feedback like yours that will help us get him there.

    Thanks!
    -MattG
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-07-30 07:34
    Tremendously helpful writeup, ChrisL8! Your post will help others in many ways, thank you for taking the time and effort to document your build so thoroughly. Great feedback for Parallax too.
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2014-08-05 10:38
    This is great work ChrisL8 - it as me inspired to update to Arlo - I have lots of original parts from the first 12 Volt Motor and Wheel Kit - Want to move to the Prop Activity Board too (which I also have now). I verify with Ken and Matt that the more precise encoder wheels will work with the older Motor and Wheel Kit - by the way. See http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/156721-Great-August-Servo-Arlo-and-MD-1-and-Question-for-Parallax-Smarties

    All I may be missing is a Ping))) stand or two. PIcked up several more Pings))) when the Shack had them for next to nothing - what a deal.

    Wouldn't mind adding the Arlo Power Distribution Board either - though erco says I should brew my own!
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2014-08-05 13:48
    though erco says I should brew my own!
    Whit - Nobody should ever listen to erco :tongue:
    -MattG
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2014-08-05 19:02
    @Matt - [standing back]
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-08-05 20:19
    Whit - Nobody should ever listen to erco :tongue:
    -MattG

    Matt: I can put 37 homebrew kits together from various & sundry parts I have hoarded. How many do you have on your website again? :)
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2014-08-06 07:38
    sssssssshhhhhh...thump. (sound of self-inflicted bow and arrow shot).

    Wise advice Whit! :thumb:

    ...as I'm looking at my "Matt Gilliland Staff Parallax Expo 2012" curvy-written badge hanging above my desk (yes, I still have it...and it is a prized possession) - I realize that erco does have some great ideas.
    IMG_1329.jpg

    every so often anyway. :tongue:

    -Matt "pulling out the arrow" G.
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  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2014-08-06 07:47
    Back to the thread at hand...

    ChrisL8 - thanks again for the write-up! We're gonna continue to refine our processes and documentation to make Arlo a household name (at least in those households that want a robot). Reviews like this are greatly appreciated - and knowing what you encountered throughout the build process, helps us make it better for those who come after :thumb:
    -MattG
  • vanmunchvanmunch Posts: 568
    edited 2014-08-06 13:43
    Hi ChrisL8,

    Great review. I had the same problem with the pins and had to drill out the holes with 1/8" bit. Even then it was extremely difficult. I also wish there was a way to mount the motors parallel to the ground like the old ones and not cocked up or down. It reduces ground clearance or sticks into the body of the robot. The kit is gorgeous though.

    Dave
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2014-08-06 14:10
    Hey Dave-
    i had the same problem with the pins and had to drill out the holes with 1/8" bit.
    We did have some tool-wear issues, but I think this has been resolved. The pin is still tight - but not super-dee-duper tight (you don't want it falling out).
    i also wish there was a way to mount the motors parallel to the ground like the old ones and not cocked up or down. It reduces ground clearance or sticks into the body of the robot.
    Are you using the battery tray that comes with the Base Kit? The cock-eyed mounted motors do stick down further than the tray, but only by about .010" (ten thou).
    the kit is gorgeous though.
    Everybody looks better in Black...and on me, I lose 25 lbs instantly :thumb:

    We're always looking to refine the system. The really cool thing is that the components that we don't make ourselves (motors, etc.) are very much in production and not likely to become surplus (like the former models we used). So, aside from refinements along the way (via threads like this) we don't anticipate having to make major design changes for quite a while... we have a seemingly stable source of raw materials.
    -MattG
  • ChrisL8ChrisL8 Posts: 129
    edited 2014-08-06 15:09
    Thank you all for the kind and encouraging responses!

    A quick question:

    The screws are working their way loose and falling out of the wheels! The wheels don't fall off, because they are on pretty tightly anyway, but I wonder, was I supposed to use something like lock-tite on any of the screws? Or do I just need to crank down harder on them next time?

    By "the screws" I mean the big ones that go right in the middle of the wheel and hold it onto the end of the axle.
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2014-08-06 15:20
    Hi ChrisL8-
    Yes, you should crank down pretty tight. They shouldn't rotate because of the drive pin, so quick starts and stops should not be un-screwing them. We generally don't use locktite - but that's because we take our systems apart ALOT - what I really mean is that "others" here in the office *steal* from my stuff all the time - so we're always in a state of "re-building" :blank:

    In typical installations, where you're not planning on taking it apart routinely, Locktite is a good thing.

    Also, as you get to programming the device- think about "soft starts" and "gentle accelerations" - the higher your robot grows, the more *swaying* he'll become (as in a tele-presence application for example)..
    "Acceleration and Deceleration are your robot's best friends".

    -MattG
  • vanmunchvanmunch Posts: 568
    edited 2014-08-06 17:04
    Hey Matt! :) I've attached some pictures to show the extent of the upward protrusion.

    No, I'm not using the battery tray or anything like that. The body will be all custom. I had trouble with ground clearance with the previous iteration of the wheel kit and made skid covers so that the grass wouldn't get caught in the encoder.

    Speaking about motor sources and encoders, I'm surprised that you don't just have T*******s make custom motors for you with magnetic encoders built in like you do with the "stingray" size motors. http://www.parallax.com/product/570-00080 They make much bigger motors and their MOQ and $$ aren't too bad as I'm sure you already know. A built in magnetic encoder attached to the motor shaft would have much better resolution and reliability. It might even be cheaper and definitely easier than the custom solution you're currently using. A "normal" motor would also allow you to stop having to make the custom shaft and maybe the block?

    I wouldn't change anything about the way the rims look though, they're beautiful and the main reason why I bought them compared to other solutions.

    Talk to you later,

    Dave
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  • ChrisL8ChrisL8 Posts: 129
    edited 2014-08-06 20:25
    Hi ChrisL8-
    Yes, you should crank down pretty tight. They shouldn't rotate because of the drive pin, so quick starts and stops should not be un-screwing them. We generally don't use locktite - but that's because we take our systems apart ALOT - what I really mean is that "others" here in the office *steal* from my stuff all the time - so we're always in a state of "re-building" :blank:

    In typical installations, where you're not planning on taking it apart routinely, Locktite is a good thing.

    Also, as you get to programming the device- think about "soft starts" and "gentle accelerations" - the higher your robot grows, the more *swaying* he'll become (as in a tele-presence application for example)..
    "Acceleration and Deceleration are your robot's best friends".

    -MattG

    Thanks MattG. I'll crank them down and if they come lose again I'll get some Locktite. It could be that I just didn't tighten them well to begin with. With all of the excitement and my wondering about the fit of the axles, maybe I had other plans?

    I certainly hope not to be taking it apart regularly.

    Of course, with your discussion of taking apart your robots Johnny 5's quip, "No disassemble!" came to mind:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjeptaI2T8E

    Finally, are you accusing me of being a jerky driver?! :) I am working on various methods of smooth transitions, but you know, when writing code that results in real world behavior it is easy to create interesting effects. A loop with something out of place quickly turns into a robot having some sort of fit. :)
  • ChrisL8ChrisL8 Posts: 129
    edited 2014-08-07 06:57
    UPDATE: I think that the reason the big screw on the end of the wheel doesn't stay tight is because it can only be tightened so much before the end of the screw hits the pin that goes through the axle. If the pin wasn't there, I think the screw could take at least another half turn and would probably be very tight, but I think that it hits the pin while tightening. It is tight, but not tight enough to stay long term.

    If that is the case the only solution is a shorter bolt . . . or a washer . . . even a lock washer . . . or Loctite. Clearly our options are finite :)

    Anyway, if I have to tighten them again I'll try one of the above and report back. If you have a stainless wheel and axle with the pin in it handy play around with threading that bolt in and see if you agree about it hitting the pin before it is truly tight enough.
  • vanmunchvanmunch Posts: 568
    edited 2014-08-07 12:28
    ChrisL8 wrote: »
    Finally, are you accusing me of being a jerky driver?! :) I am working on various methods of smooth transitions, but you know, when writing code that results in real world behavior it is easy to create interesting effects. A loop with something out of place quickly turns into a robot having some sort of fit. :)

    The "Servo32v9" object has a built in ramping function that controls the speed that that servo moves to the new position. In the case of using HB-25 motor controllers, the ramping function smoothly brings your robot up to speed (or stop). You can adjust how much ramping you want in the code.

    Here's a link to the object: http://obex.parallax.com/object/524

    Dave
  • ChrisL8ChrisL8 Posts: 129
    edited 2014-08-13 07:58
    vanmunch wrote: »
    The "Servo32v9" object has a built in ramping function that controls the speed that that servo moves to the new position. In the case of using HB-25 motor controllers, the ramping function smoothly brings your robot up to speed (or stop). You can adjust how much ramping you want in the code.

    Here's a link to the object: http://obex.parallax.com/object/524
    Dave

    Thanks. I've been using the arlo libraries (arlodrive.h), which incorporate the ramping when used with the drive_rampStep() function, which I am using.
    I don't know if arlodrive's ramping is the same as that in Servo32v9 or not? I should compare them. Is one better than the other?

    I still have to make sure it stops quickly when an obstacle is suddenly detected (like something moving in front of the robot's path), so I'm still playing with all of the numbers to find the right balance.

    So far the screws are still tight after the last time I tightened them, so maybe I just didn't try hard enough? Or maybe they just need to be tightened again every 1,000 millimeters? :)
  • vanmunchvanmunch Posts: 568
    edited 2014-08-13 08:32
    wrote:
    Hey ChrisL8, I haven't used C yet, just spin. I'm guessing that they're the same or almost identical in function since the guy who wrote the Servo32 object works for Parallax (and is a great guy). Regarding picking the correct amount of ramping. I would suggest that you pick a ramping speed you like, make it the default ramp speed and add an "if" statement pulling in the obstacle detection data. If your obstacle detection data has a distance value (object is 11 cm from me), you can then make the ramping speed proportional to the distance of the object allowing for rapid deceleration for immediate collisions. Dave
  • ChrisL8ChrisL8 Posts: 129
    edited 2014-08-23 12:57
    Here is a quick demonstration video I made of what I am doing with my ArloBot:

    http://youtu.be/7qJaA6K_WPE


    [video=youtube_share;7qJaA6K_WPE]
  • NikosGNikosG Posts: 705
    edited 2014-08-24 02:02
    ChrisL8 wrote: »
    Here is a quick demonstration video I made of what I am doing with my ArloBot:

    http://youtu.be/7qJaA6K_WPE

    Very cool experiment!
    ROS seems very interesting!

    attachment.php?attachmentid=110610&d=1408871406
    p.s If you post your video link between "video" and "/video" tags we 'll have a nice preview
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  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-08-24 07:07
    Thanks for the great demo, ChrisL8. Very impressive mapping!

    But is that bot up to "Figure 8 Challenge"? No one has done an Arlo yet. Be the first and get your name on the board! :)
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2014-08-24 19:39
    Great work ChrisL8 and great video demo. The ROS and mapping are very cool.

    I'd love to hear more about how you have linked Arlo with the ROS. Which Propeller control board are you using? Propeller Activity Board or Propeller Baord of Education or something else. Super project and ideas.

    Edit - just found your get-hub stuff. Will study this and then ask better questions! Thanks!
  • photomankcphotomankc Posts: 943
    edited 2014-08-24 20:38
    ChrisL8 wrote: »
    Here is a quick demonstration video I made of what I am doing with my ArloBot:

    http://youtu.be/7qJaA6K_WPE


    VERY cool stuff. I need to pull your source material and tear through it. That is super cool stuff.
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2014-08-25 11:15
    That's fantastic Chris!
    -MattG
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2014-08-28 19:55
    It might be neat to combine ideas from this thread - http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/156662-Interesting-S2-Additions-CMUCam-5-BeagleBone-Black-and-Hokuyo-Laser
    with ChrisL8's work here. You could use Chris cheaper, smaller sensor (Kinect like) and the ROS with a S2 and single board computer (Raspberry Pi?) for a really inexpensive platform. I think that the S2 encoders and accuracy are good enough for this sort of work.

    Any thoughts?


    Edit - Hey ChrisL8 and others - I would love to have your input, but to keep this discussion in one place and so as not to hijack this thread - I started a new thread for this discussion here -
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/157157-S2-ROS-ala-ChrisL8-and-Arlo-Brainstorming-Thread
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-09-03 12:35
    Congrats on making the Home page on the Parallax Forums.

    http://forums.parallax.com/content.php

    Very nice write-up.
  • ChrisL8ChrisL8 Posts: 129
    edited 2014-10-21 12:47
    In case anyone is wondering, my Arlo is a regular member of our household now, receiving almost daily attention and routine upgrades, although he also enjoys many quiet afternoons in the corner.
    I worked up a "parts list" for my build and posted it on my blog at http://ekpyroticfrood.net/?p=65 to help others in compiling their wish list for building an Arlo.

    Corner Robot.jpg
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  • GordonMcCombGordonMcComb Posts: 3,366
    edited 2014-10-21 13:40
    Hmm.... I think your Arlo needs more sensors, if you ask me.

    Seriously, this is a seriously fine robot! Nice job.
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