Servo brackets, blocks, or whatever you call them -- a way to mount servos, mount stuff to servos, and mount servos to each other. Such devices facilitate the creation of robot arms, pan/tilt mechanisms, grippers, and the like. Basically an erector set for servos.
Servo brackets, blocks, or whatever you call them -- a way to mount servos, mount stuff to servos, and mount servos to each other. Such devices facilitate the creation of robot arms, pan/tilt mechanisms, grippers, and the like. Basically an erector set for servos.
-Phil
+1 on this one too!
You could build hexapod legs, humanoid legs and arms, misc flexible attachments, etc.
How about a generic small and/or medium sized robot chassis plate. Something with holes and slots and such that could have things fastened to it and also be stacked to create a multi-level robot. Like the Stingray chassis and then maybe a smaller size. There would need to be some hardware to go with this for mounting the drive servos or other motor options.
The idea of the Erector set parts is a good one, and if you carefully choose the hole centers or make adapters you could pretty much cover most of what everyone has suggested.
But, if produced on a CNC you won't make any money. You'd have to price them to be competitive to the Servo Erector Set parts that Lynxmotion, Pitsco, and the others sell theirs at. I'm told those are machine punched, and when done in China -- as I'm sure they are -- are fairly inexpensive.
Maybe combine some wide-purpose punched parts with some additional lower volume custom machined components done on the CNC.
For what you can do with a CNC for attaching to servos, gears, and wheels, our pals at Servo City demonstrate the possibilities. He always tries to patent things, but there are some good general ideas there.
How would Parallax's servo "erector set" type attachments be any different than Servo City's ServoBlocks?
More suggestions:
-A mounting plate for the linear camera, CMU cam, and/or ping/IR for attaching to a pan servo.
-Electro-mechanical bumpers for Parallax robots (sturdy bumpers with a switch output).
How would Parallax's servo "erector set" type attachments be any different than Servo City's ServoBlocks?
Parallax would have them, and their customers would not have to go to Servo City. Moreover, unlike Servo City's, which are encumbered by patents, Parallax's could be open-hardware compliant.
+1 NEMA mounts
At our Maker Space we currently 3D print parts of our members own 3D printers but a set of machined parts for say a RepRap Prusa or Mendel would make a great starter kit.
Ah ha!! I suspected there were others that have been frustrated by the lack of good NEMA motor mounts. These are hard to DIY to a tight spec and any wiggle just causes the whole device to fall apart.
I know I can easily buy gears and pulleys and belts, but without the motor mounts this is all for nothing.
Maybe two formats. A plate that simply mounts to something flat and overlapping, and an L shaped motor mount out of two plates (held together by sturdy screws) in a 90 degree configuration.
Make these mounts with lots of extra holes as a sort of universal NEMA motor mount that would fit most any project.
How would Parallax's servo "erector set" type attachments be any different than Servo City's ServoBlocks?
Price for one. By not tapping holes Parallax could make these for a lot less. Servo City's market is not the same as Parallax's. While SC discounts their servos, much of their components are high end and expensive. Parallax is more likely to sell to teachers and students with a limited budget, and who can't afford servo couplers at $27 per axis.
By not tapping holes Parallax could make these for a lot less.
That depends upon which holes are tapped. If the tapped holes are the ones the CNC drills, the cost is very low, since the CNC can do the tapping. OTOH, if they're the ones drilled by a secondary operation, then they almost have to be tapped by hand, which raises the cost significantly -- especially if they're blind holes.
It will take some clever CAD work, indeed, to make sure all the tapped holes can be done by the CNC, in particular where parts get joined at right angles. But, yes, it might turn out to be more economical for such parts to have slots milled in them to capture nuts.
Use that CNC router to make some aluminum versions of your quad-copter maybe a tri or a octo. You already have a Elev-8 how about the Alumin-8.
You could make a fixture from MDF that holds your aluminum stock down which is held down by your vacuum table. Parts are held together by tabs which can be ground down, brushed/polished, and anodized. They are secondary operations but not to labor intensive.
I'm sure you can hit around 20K rpm. Use o-flute endmills and you can easily get around 20-25 IPM depending on the thickness of the material and the size of the bit. One pass cuts.
Okay, if tapping is too expensive... why not provide parts with right sized holes and I can tap them myself. After all, we always like the DIY aspect of projects and teaching kids how holes actually get threads is rather interesting. Small taps are cheap. I already have a few. And the do fine in steel, brass, aluminium, and even plastics.
But the problem is always getting my holes to accurately align.
While Parallax sells mostly complete circuit boards, it is obvious that others avoid some of the more tedious hand soldering in favor of being able to provide a cheaper product. I have no problem with that either.
I don't think anybody said that it was. The CNC machine itself can do the vertical tapping, and you can eliminate horizontal tapping via T-slots and nuts.
More "inventor's wands" please. Really like the look of them, but couldn't get one.
Maybe in both plastic and aluminum? Not sure how feasible it is, but would be nice.
How about a taller ping bracket with a spot for a small common wireless camera and a 9volt battery. Basically when I try to route the wires through the hole on the current version the wires are constantly rubbing on things and the extra battery gets pulled around when it turns. I have a crude setup held together with some spare wire. Every thing moves together. Idk just a thought.
Comments
Good thing I know enough about you at this point to know when you're just talkin' smack, George.
Robert
-Phil
- 'Mast' for compass/gyro/accelerometer
- Serial LCD mount (+4)
- Robot arm/gripper
- Pulley systems
- CNC'd "match-up" parts - a la Erector sets (+3)
- Motor mounts (stepper, brushless, etc.)
- Propeller beanie schwag
- Pen lifter accessory
Keep the suggestions coming - this is great stuff!+1 on this one too!
You could build hexapod legs, humanoid legs and arms, misc flexible attachments, etc.
How about a generic small and/or medium sized robot chassis plate. Something with holes and slots and such that could have things fastened to it and also be stacked to create a multi-level robot. Like the Stingray chassis and then maybe a smaller size. There would need to be some hardware to go with this for mounting the drive servos or other motor options.
But, if produced on a CNC you won't make any money. You'd have to price them to be competitive to the Servo Erector Set parts that Lynxmotion, Pitsco, and the others sell theirs at. I'm told those are machine punched, and when done in China -- as I'm sure they are -- are fairly inexpensive.
Maybe combine some wide-purpose punched parts with some additional lower volume custom machined components done on the CNC.
For what you can do with a CNC for attaching to servos, gears, and wheels, our pals at Servo City demonstrate the possibilities. He always tries to patent things, but there are some good general ideas there.
-- Gordon
More suggestions:
-A mounting plate for the linear camera, CMU cam, and/or ping/IR for attaching to a pan servo.
-Electro-mechanical bumpers for Parallax robots (sturdy bumpers with a switch output).
-Phil
http://www.finelineautomation.com/store/show/CRP106-01
At our Maker Space we currently 3D print parts of our members own 3D printers but a set of machined parts for say a RepRap Prusa or Mendel would make a great starter kit.
I know I can easily buy gears and pulleys and belts, but without the motor mounts this is all for nothing.
Maybe two formats. A plate that simply mounts to something flat and overlapping, and an L shaped motor mount out of two plates (held together by sturdy screws) in a 90 degree configuration.
Make these mounts with lots of extra holes as a sort of universal NEMA motor mount that would fit most any project.
Price for one. By not tapping holes Parallax could make these for a lot less. Servo City's market is not the same as Parallax's. While SC discounts their servos, much of their components are high end and expensive. Parallax is more likely to sell to teachers and students with a limited budget, and who can't afford servo couplers at $27 per axis.
-- Gordon
It will take some clever CAD work, indeed, to make sure all the tapped holes can be done by the CNC, in particular where parts get joined at right angles. But, yes, it might turn out to be more economical for such parts to have slots milled in them to capture nuts.
-Phil
You could make a fixture from MDF that holds your aluminum stock down which is held down by your vacuum table. Parts are held together by tabs which can be ground down, brushed/polished, and anodized. They are secondary operations but not to labor intensive.
I'm sure you can hit around 20K rpm. Use o-flute endmills and you can easily get around 20-25 IPM depending on the thickness of the material and the size of the bit. One pass cuts.
But the problem is always getting my holes to accurately align.
While Parallax sells mostly complete circuit boards, it is obvious that others avoid some of the more tedious hand soldering in favor of being able to provide a cheaper product. I have no problem with that either.
-Phil
Maybe in both plastic and aluminum? Not sure how feasible it is, but would be nice.
edit:
lol, turning it around was plenty.