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Chair-bot — Parallax Forums

Chair-bot

FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
edited 2012-08-23 22:02 in Robotics
Im starting to build a BASIC stamp powered robot that can drive me around. The robot is wirelessly controlled and will be powered by a 12V, 17A battery.

Hardware:
(4) 2.5 inch, quarter horsepower, CIM Brushed DC Motors from AndyMark
(4) Jaguar Variable Speed Motor Controllers from Texas Instruments
(4) CIMple Gearboxes from AndyMark
Geared for a top speed (with 220 pounds on board) of 12 mph
(1) Board of Education
(2) BS2SX modules (one for the controller, the other for the robot)
(1) 4x20 Serial LCD (for the controller)

Chassis:
T-slot framing extruded aluminum from McMaster-Carr
90 degree angle brackets
Chair made from Polycarbonate, or a lawnchair strapped down (haven't decided yet)

Comments

  • TtailspinTtailspin Posts: 1,326
    edited 2012-05-19 22:18
    What a fun little project. you will be rolling around in style, especially if you decide to use this for your chair...
    Rocking_Chair.jpg


    Watcha think? A lot of style for the mile... :thumb:

    -Tommy
    Rocking_Chair.jpg
    220 x 220 - 10K
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-05-19 22:26
    A rocking chair might end a bit badly :P It would be the classiest robot to ever roam my town though
  • Mark_TMark_T Posts: 1,981
    edited 2012-05-20 05:51
    No, not a rocking chair, a chaise longue or a reclining chair.
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-05-20 08:06
    Well wouldnt that make the center of gravity kinda high if i used a reclining chair?? and be a bit heavy
  • TtailspinTtailspin Posts: 1,326
    edited 2012-05-20 09:04
    Ok, sure, not everyone likes Mission style furniture, but I think it's at least a step up from a 5 gallon bucket and a pillow...:)


    -Tommy
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-05-22 11:00
    Im not stooping that low when it comes to chairs, i was thinking of using a lawn chair actually. Their low and comfy
  • tobdectobdec Posts: 267
    edited 2012-05-23 22:15
    Those cheap computer chairs.....they're light and easily mountable!
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-05-24 05:02
    How do u mount a computer chair? aren't they on those spinny things?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,255
    edited 2012-05-24 16:44
    Steve Norris built Robo-Stool, which I believe followed him around. I don't think he sits on it while driving.

    http://www.norrislabs.com/Projects/RoboStool/index.html
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-05-24 20:08
    I have a finished drive train as of today, now comes the fun part of bolting it onto the chassis, which is 28 inches wide and 38 inches long. Ill put pics up by the end of tommorow without fail
  • tobdectobdec Posts: 267
    edited 2012-05-24 22:30
    FRC2370 wrote: »
    How do u mount a computer chair? aren't they on those spinny things?
    Simple....a few tack welds and it won't spin any more....cut the base off and you have a nice hardened steel shaft to weld onto whatever you please..light and easy.
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-05-25 06:00
    I dont actually have welding equipment though. I have a hacksaw, a drill press, a table saw, and a few hand tools
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-05-25 06:25
    I ended up spending more on components and upgraded from the CIMple gearboxes to the bigger and better ToughBox. We use these on our FRC robots and theyr practically indestructible. Geared with 12.75:1 ratio good enough for about 5-7 miles an hour, but with lots of power and torque, and at the moment im sticking to using the standard BS2 module so i could afford the ToughBoxes
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-05-31 19:35
    Well after one week of building this is what I have so far. The sub frame is finished, and has a 1/4 inch piece of Polycarbonate mounted to the under side, the Jaguar motor controllers are wired to the motors, not to the Power Distribution Board yet (haven't installed it or wired it yet) and the Board of Education isn't installed or wired to the Jaguars yet. Next week it will be wired and driveable, along with the main frame, which will have the chair onboard, will be completed tommorow
    0531122037 copy.jpg
    0531122037 copy.jpg
    1024 x 768 - 74K
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-06-04 17:08
    Change of plans, due to the low strength of the PULSOUT command from the Board of Education, the Jaguars aren't getting a strong enough signal to activate them, so the project is being moved onto an Arduino chip
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-06-06 18:03
    Modified the code a bit so the Board of Education can drive the Jaguars, however the gearboxes are slipping a bit. More updates will follow
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-08-23 22:02
    Robots coming home from having a tank drive system installed by a friend. Basically, 2 joysticks for control versus 1. The BoE has been removed due to a slow performance. The PWM output is A) not strong enough to max out the Jaguars and B) varys too much in length (BASIC Stamp cant do the task fast enough) so its arduino powered now, But its still using Parallax transceivers :D
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