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Total Newb - Well, Sort Of — Parallax Forums

Total Newb - Well, Sort Of

ScopeScope Posts: 417
edited 2009-09-18 02:56 in Robotics
Hello,

I recently ordered a Boe-Bot (it hasn't arrived yet) and I thought that might be a good way to begin the journey - I've always wanted to learn how to use robots - now, I'm finally fulfilling a dream.

For the past two years I've been playing around with the NXT's and I am very much looking forward to learning more about robots.

Ironically, I teach high school students Engineering Drawing & Design classes and I recently decided to sponsor the Robotics Club - a first at our school. I have always loved computer programming, mechanical stuff, radio controlled anything, and challenging projects.

I hope the Boe-Bot will be fun, educational, and help introduce me to a new level of robotic challenges. Ultimately, I plan on creating some really cool stuff. Also, I hope I can take this knowledge and share it with my students - they are excited about robots - we had our first meeting this afternoon.

Last weekend I cleaned out a section of my garage and dedicated it as my "robotics lab." I have obtained some tools - any suggestions for "must have" list of tools? I purchased a variable speed Dremel, and I already own a digital voltage meter (it's cheap). My soldering iron is a lousy piece of junk, so, I'll need a new one.

Thanks,

Scope
[noparse]:)[/noparse]

Comments

  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2009-09-10 03:53
    Welcome.

    Don't forget the hand tools ... screwdrivers, needlenose pliers, a good wirecutter and wirestripper. Make sure you get a PING and the servo bracket that goes with it. You'll want to add that to the BoeBot. You might want to get an Easy Bluetooth Module so your BoeBot and your PC can communicate while the BoeBot is roaming around.
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-09-10 05:14
    A good pair of pliers (both large and small), several sets of tweezers of differing strengths, a hemostat or two, screwdrivers, a separate wire cutter (not integrated with something else), a pick, two wire strippers (big wire and small wire) both with springs, an exacto knife, at least 20 clamps with different sizes and styles, a cutting mat, a DMM that can do capacitance, masking tape, gloves, calipers, files (both large and small), hex wrenches, one of those wrentches with an adjustable worm screw, a DIP chip puller, a steel straight edge, and an angle iron (right hand thing a ma jig).

    If you are willing to go on to the next step, you should get a drill press, a small cutoff saw, and an adjustable power supply.

    Finally, the most important thing is a radio or computer for music.

    Those are pretty much the things that I use on a regular basis besides the Dremel and soldering iron.
  • P!-RoP!-Ro Posts: 1,189
    edited 2009-09-11 01:17
    It's good to here you are starting a robotics club, in fact, I am too, as a student. I have the robots and am just waiting for the teacher in charge to get done with football.

    I am one of those who enjoys building things with my hands and am against buying new items at a higher cost when I can find something at a junkyard or thrift store for much cheaper. If you find you have students who are good with their hands as well, you might see if they want to try welding together a frame and build a custom robot from the ground up.

    You ask what kind of tools you need, and I'm not sure if I'm the best to give it to you since I am not sure of your needs, but I will tell you what works for me:

    -Butane soldering iron--allows for 30-90 amps. It's great to be able to do soldering work where you need it instead of having a cord, and it doesn't take long to heat up at all, while allowing for you to decide how hot you need it.
    -Desoldering iron--great for when you make mistakes or wish to recycle parts out of old electronics.
    -Mixture of transistors for controlling motors
    -Mixture of resistors
    -Mixture of capacitors

    Everything else is up to you, but these are just what seems to help me the most.

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    PG
  • ScopeScope Posts: 417
    edited 2009-09-11 01:32
    Gee, thanks! I have several of these items already. I'm going to give my old ragged bench a new top - I think a used piece of white kitchen counter top might work well.

    Is a DMM a digital multi meter? If so, I have one will probably get me going for now.

    Why the adjustable power supply? Do you mean something I can use to get various DC voltages?

    I used to rewind commercial electric motors - it wasn't cool to use wire strippers (ha). I think these tiny little wires used w/robots could be rather difficult to strip without pulling out wires - I'll bite the bullet and get some strippers - but, don't tell the guys I used to work with (ha).

    Small cutoff saw? Like one of these:
    41453.gif

    Does Parallax offer customers the PING, servo bracket that goes with it, & Easy Bluetooth Module?

    I'd also like to find some sort of assortment of fasteners, and other items used to build or modify the chassis - good for spares when not tinkering.

    And a pick? Would this be similar to an ice pick?

    Thanks,

    Scope
    [noparse]:)[/noparse]
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2009-09-11 01:37
    The PING, matching servo bracket, and Easy Bluetooth module are all Parallax products. From the main Parallax webpage, use the Store tab and search for "PING" and "Easy Bluetooth". The PING page will have a picture and link to the matching bracket.

    A pick would be more like a dental pick. We're really talking about small tools mostly here (for working with little electronics parts). The bigger stuff would be for building the mechanical stuff for a robot.
  • P!-RoP!-Ro Posts: 1,189
    edited 2009-09-11 03:52
    Scope, personally I use an angle grinder for metal since it is cheap and easy to move around with. The only problem is you would loose a little accuracy. Also--a band saw is best for straight and smooth cuts.

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    PG
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-09-11 05:49
    DMM = Digital multimeter
    The adjustable power supply is to quickly and easily choose any voltage (within a limit, 20V is usually fine) and to see how much current is being used by the device under question. I love mine...
    I use a small saw from harbor freight jerry rigged with a metal cutting disk. It's about 3" and it works fine for cutting the 1/2 aluminum angle iron that I use and other small metal bits.
    For fasteners, #2, 4, and 6 should be fine for the electronics side. I use #6 for mechanical too, but I don't build anything big.
    Like Mike said, for electronics you want to think small. I forgot to mention this, but you'll also want at least three lights: room, left and right. If you only have two then you'll have shadows on your work.
  • SandgroperSandgroper Posts: 62
    edited 2009-09-12 15:19
    I'd add a pulse detector to the toolkit.· Relatively inexpensive and very useful.· Goes hand in hand with the multimeter.· A good set of crimping pliers comes in handy too, especially if you're making your own servo connectors etc.· Oh, and one of those "helping hand" clamps with the aligator clips and magnifying glass.··And a headset·magnifier.· Don't forget a·soldering station, desoldering pump, solder wick, heat shrink, lead out wire, breadboard (for prototyping),·rechargeable batteries·etc. And VELCRO.· Very important!· What else?· Oh yes, if you're building you're own robots, a metal scribe, jigsaw (if you don't have a bandsaw), bench grinder and deburring tool.· Nearly forgot - a hot glue gun.· Safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs ...
    ·
  • CounterRotatingPropsCounterRotatingProps Posts: 1,132
    edited 2009-09-12 23:23
    Hi Scope,

    welcome!

    Instead of (or in addition to [noparse]:)[/noparse] that cut off saw, you might consider a *portable* bandsaw. I got one at a pawn shop many years ago for about 1/3 price. When I'm metal working, it's always within hands reach. As Pi Guy says, bandsaws make a much cleaner cut than an abrasive cutoff saw. <-- the cut wheels can (and do) break apart violently on those. Of course, if you just need to hack off a chunk of metal, then it's OK. But, you know, I have both - and I haven't used the cutoff saw in > five years. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    @SRLM - surprised Sandgrouper mentioned hot-glue, but you didn't - isn't it one of your favorites tricks of the trade? smilewinkgrin.gifsmilewinkgrin.gif
    "one of those wrentches with an adjustable worm screw" - you mean a pair of "vice grips" ? Yeah - two or three of them even!

    Scope - you might also find two-part epoxies quite useful.

    As SRLM said, a wide assortment of fasteners goes a long way. I'd go up to #8 and #10 in multiple lengths, with a box of nylon lock nuts, and various widths of washers.

    Did we mention *clamps* --- yes we did --- clamps are like money - you can never have enough!

    One other item I could never do without again: a "Drill Doctor" for sharpening drill bits.

    You're in the right place for great, friendly assistance!

    Cool avatar, BTW.

    cheers
    - Howard

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  • P!-RoP!-Ro Posts: 1,189
    edited 2009-09-12 23:54
    The problem is a band saw can't cut hard steel. I broke a tap in a metal piece for my robot and the only way I could cut off the end was by using a grinder. Grinders are also great for smoothing welds, something I had to do a lot of, and taking off rough edges from cuts. If at all possible, I advise getting both.

    Since you are doing this with many robots in a classroom, I also advise getting a lot of ir emitters/receivers so you can experiment with wheel encoding and line following among other things like communication between robots.

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    PG
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-09-13 00:34
    CounterRotatingProps said...
    @SRLM - surprised Sandgrouper mentioned hot-glue, but you didn't - isn't it one of your favorites tricks of the trade?
    "one of those wrentches with an adjustable worm screw" - you mean a pair of "vice grips" ? Yeah - two or three of them even!

    Honestly, I don't use hot glue that much. I haven't really felt the need for it that much, but I know some other engineers who use it all the time for a quick hold.
    Vice Grips are good, but what I meant was "adjustable wrench" (thank you google!): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kluc_nastavitelny.jpg

    Post Edited (SRLM) : 9/13/2009 12:45:50 AM GMT
  • ScopeScope Posts: 417
    edited 2009-09-13 01:06
    Awesome responses - thanks very much.

    Fortunately I have several of these items already. I worked more today on the Boe-Bot and also on the SRL (Scope's Robotic Lab) in my garage. I'll keep my list in my pocket - whenever I have an opportunity to stop someplace and pick something up I will (wife goes to get milk and bread - comes back 27 minutes later - I'm waiting in the car - DOH, I could've sneaked over to Home Depot and grabbed some clamps).

    The avatar is a CAD model I created using Google SketchUp. CAD modeling is one thing I am somewhat proficient at doing. I used to teach Pro/E, AutoCAD, MicroStation, several others. I highly recommend SketchUp for anyone - it's far better than many realize and yes, still totally free. Some of its most useful features are often undiscovered. I have a photo of my shop around here somewhere . . . it's coming along.

    Happy roboting (?),

    Scope

    Post Edited (Scope) : 9/13/2009 1:11:26 AM GMT
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  • GeorgeCollinsGeorgeCollins Posts: 132
    edited 2009-09-13 19:30
    Tool thoughts:

    I think a Dremel or similar rotary tool is extremely quick and versatile. I also recomend a set of jumper wires with alligator clips, and a NiCd/ NiMH battery charger that can handle different size batteries. You should avoid using throw away batteries as much as possible on your robot.

    Have fun!

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    My Robots
  • ScopeScope Posts: 417
    edited 2009-09-15 21:15
    Last night I was programming my Boe-Bot and really enjoying the programming experience. I enjoy computer programming.

    Today, I was thinking about how all my life I've always enjoyed building stuff - I've always loved radio controlled cars, helicopters, and airplanes.

    Today, I had the "robot epiphany" hop.gif - this hobby contains everything I've always enjoyed: technology, mechanisms, computers, problem solving, building stuff, and programming. I mean, c'mon, what's not to love about robots?

    Just wanted to share my joy.

    And, ya, I know I'm "preachin' to the choir."

    Happy roboting,

    Scope
    [noparse]:)[/noparse]
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-09-16 01:05
    Scope said...
    Today, I had the "robot epiphany" - this hobby contains everything I've always enjoyed: technology, mechanisms, computers, problem solving, building stuff, and programming. I mean, c'mon, what's not to love about robots?

    A side note, but I think there is a bit of danger in that line of thinking (finding support for your arguments). I used to spend my hobby time working on my garden railway, and I subscribed to the hobby magazines. Every once and a while an author would comment that the hobby has everything: modeling, electronics, gardening, history, computers, etc. In short, no matter what hobby you join you'll probably always say "This is great because it has A, B, and C, all of which I enjoy". Still, that doesn't make it any less fun...
  • P!-RoP!-Ro Posts: 1,189
    edited 2009-09-16 02:09
    Agreed, I love to weld, so I weld my robots. Love to program, I do that too. I love engines and mechanics, and certainly got plenty of that recently as well. What's there not to love about robotics? Just too bad the fun has to be interrupted by pre-calc...

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    PG
  • ManetherenManetheren Posts: 117
    edited 2009-09-16 11:35
    At least it wasnt interupted by CALC. LOL that come later[noparse]:([/noparse]

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    Tia'Shar Manetheren
  • P!-RoP!-Ro Posts: 1,189
    edited 2009-09-17 00:25
    calc will sure make my senior year interesting. doesn't help that i'm somewhat lazy, which is made worse when i found out that i can skip a few probs on assignments and still get a 100. lazy student teacher. ah well, i'll figure things out eventually

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    PG
  • GWJaxGWJax Posts: 267
    edited 2009-09-17 00:54
    Calc, Trig, Geometry, what all that I just jumped all those and went directly to Physics and then aced it back in high school with with a almost well known patent of an ion lifter back in the 80's. An old TV chaise gutted just for the High Voltage and tweaked out at 38.5K volts for optimal lift. Now a days the company amazing devices has an ion lift craft for sale. OK I just put my 2 cents in and brought the thread off-topic so I guess I'll leave it at that and wait and read.

    Jax

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    If a robot has a screw then it must be romoved and hacked into..
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-09-17 03:48
    I consider mathematics very important for my major, Computer Science. At my school, we are only required to take six quarters (two years) of math, but I wish it was more. Calculus is fundamental to much of what we do in engineering, and it's one of the things that differentiates engineers from mechanics. Much of what we do in CS relies on math, from simple functions to complex analysis of algorithms to implementing those algorithms effectively. As for calculus in particular, I don't think it's that difficult if you don't try an memorize processes and instead focus on the big picture. It's different than trig and algebra, but it's so much more interesting. Calculus is where I realized that math is useful.
  • ManetherenManetheren Posts: 117
    edited 2009-09-17 11:26
    I had to learn both calculus and physics online and that is not a propper way to learn math or physics. I would have learned a lot more and better if it was in class. (talking college here)

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    Tia'Shar Manetheren
  • P!-RoP!-Ro Posts: 1,189
    edited 2009-09-18 02:56
    Lol, great how this topic moved to math. I'm sure calc will be important to me since I plan to go into robotics for a career, the only problem is I need to find a school I'm smart enough for. Although CMU is my favorite, I don't think I'll make it. Unfortunately I'm too much of a person who wants to jump the gun and build robots and pick specific things I want to learn versus many of the other people who go there that are perfectly willing to study their life away just for the grades. I've never figured out how they do it and I'm not sure I want to.

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    PG
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