We had one issue to resolve with the HM55B Magnetic Compass. We were receiving lots of interference from the batteries (not the motors). At this point both batteries were aligned in the same direction. After considering shields and moving the compass,·the more obvious solution came to us -·each battery would be pointed in an opposite direction to cancel·out their·fields (is this the·right word?). Now all electronics including the compass work perfectly! The little bot can march north, south, or six bits in between.
This week we'll build our final prototype board, then we're off to production.·The metal is all finished an already in our inventory. This is just a matter of electronics at this point.
Like you, I'm really ready to see this·robot become available.
I was going to build my own Penguin per your drawing. Do you have any additional drawings such as the Delrin stride linkage and also, where did you find the battery holder? I have checked a few online retailers with no luck.
The battery holder is from Keystone - it is the "N" size for CR123 batteries.
The stride linkage drawing is attached. Note that this drawing only shows one side - the other is a mirror.
I can send you a few Delrin stride parts made with my broach if it helps. The spline punch size is for the GWS Naro servos (we have these in stock if you need a few).
Let me know how this works out. I've seen one other Penguin built from·our drawings and it turned out really nice!
You can generally get a few FREE samples from Keystone fairly quickly. FREE is GOOD!
The request must go to Keystone itself, then they will farm out the sample request to one of their distributors that has stock of the part you need. I requested two shaft couplings, and had them in less than 10 days - no charge.
No harrassing emails or phone calls either, and they're nice folks to deal with. Some of their electro-mechanical parts are quite unique too.
I think it was another post where I pointed out that for a project like this, first quarter meant something like by August or so, if all went well (this includes not just things with the Penguin, but other projects as well). Somebody told me in a PM that I didn't know what I was talking about. Some of us who live in the real world have an idea of what's involved, and could read between the lines on priorities.
We are all on the notification list. All we need to do is watch 3 places. The "Announcements" forum, the Parallax home page, and this forum. We should be watching these 3 places anyways, as there are sorts of neat things that show up, including special discount pricing, new 3 axis accelerometers, propellers, etc. So what's the big deal?
If we ask Team Parallax to create a "notification list", or "pre-order" area, we take resources away from doing other things, including completion of the Mighty Penquin.
That's really cool! Don't take this like an insult, but it goes to show that it's not always the tools you own but what you can do with them. I'm assuming you milled these parts with that dremel on the wood mill. If that's the case, I'm really impressed! Now that I see how far you've come, I'll be sure to get your parts ready to ship this week. Do you have the 5/8" standoffs already milled? I can send some of those, too.
That's really cool! Don't take this like an insult, but it goes to show that it's not always the tools you own but what you can do with them. I'm assuming you milled these parts with that dremel on the wood mill. If that's the case, I'm really impressed! Now that I see how far you've come, I'll be sure to get your parts ready to ship this week. Do you have the 5/8" standoffs already milled? I can send some of those, too.
Very inspiring!
Ken Gracey
Ken,
All the parts were cut out on the Dremel Mill. I got it done and running·Aug 2nd of last year. I built this after the start of the·"Community Supported PCB·Milling Machine"·in the "Sandbox" section. There is a picture of it on page 7. http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=539099
With a little luck, it will be stamp powered when the dust settles on that thread.
I just completed the 5/8" standoffs, cut to length and milled flat.·I am ready to mark the servo·screws and drill the standoffs. Then it is on to the ankle axles!
Sorry about the out of focus picture but I think my camera is·about shot! If I had a good idea for the Parallax / HP printing contest I would enter and try to win·a new one
BTW, If you start a preorder list for the Penguins, put my name down.
Added a 2nd picture of the Mill,,, still see the outlines from cutting too deep.··oops. It did take me more than one try but I have a couple of good usable spare parts.
Comments
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Sure, they're going to be available for sale.
We had one issue to resolve with the HM55B Magnetic Compass. We were receiving lots of interference from the batteries (not the motors). At this point both batteries were aligned in the same direction. After considering shields and moving the compass,·the more obvious solution came to us -·each battery would be pointed in an opposite direction to cancel·out their·fields (is this the·right word?). Now all electronics including the compass work perfectly! The little bot can march north, south, or six bits in between.
This week we'll build our final prototype board, then we're off to production.·The metal is all finished an already in our inventory. This is just a matter of electronics at this point.
Like you, I'm really ready to see this·robot become available.
Sincerely,
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc. ····
I was going to build my own Penguin per your drawing. Do you have any additional drawings such as the Delrin stride linkage and also, where did you find the battery holder? I have checked a few online retailers with no luck.
Thanks,
Eric
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Jon Williams
Applications Engineer, Parallax
The battery holder is from Keystone - it is the "N" size for CR123 batteries.
The stride linkage drawing is attached. Note that this drawing only shows one side - the other is a mirror.
I can send you a few Delrin stride parts made with my broach if it helps. The spline punch size is for the GWS Naro servos (we have these in stock if you need a few).
Let me know how this works out. I've seen one other Penguin built from·our drawings and it turned out really nice!
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
You can generally get a few FREE samples from Keystone fairly quickly. FREE is GOOD!
The request must go to Keystone itself, then they will farm out the sample request to one of their distributors that has stock of the part you need. I requested two shaft couplings, and had them in less than 10 days - no charge.
No harrassing emails or phone calls either, and they're nice folks to deal with. Some of their electro-mechanical parts are quite unique too.
Here is a link to their web site: http://www.keyelco.com/
Regards,
Bruce Bates
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Any chance we could pre-order or at least get on a notification list so we know when the Penguin is available?
I'd sure be disappointed if I missed out on getting one...
Kevin Hoyt
Many of us would be.......
We are all on the notification list. All we need to do is watch 3 places. The "Announcements" forum, the Parallax home page, and this forum. We should be watching these 3 places anyways, as there are sorts of neat things that show up, including special discount pricing, new 3 axis accelerometers, propellers, etc. So what's the big deal?
If we ask Team Parallax to create a "notification list", or "pre-order" area, we take resources away from doing other things, including completion of the Mighty Penquin.
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John R.
8 + 8 = 10
Got my parts milled out today on the DIY wood / skate bearing mill. Most of the parts have arrived, still waiting on a few.
Pictures below
That's really cool! Don't take this like an insult, but it goes to show that it's not always the tools you own but what you can do with them. I'm assuming you milled these parts with that dremel on the wood mill. If that's the case, I'm really impressed! Now that I see how far you've come, I'll be sure to get your parts ready to ship this week. Do you have the 5/8" standoffs already milled? I can send some of those, too.
Very inspiring!
Ken Gracey
All the parts were cut out on the Dremel Mill. I got it done and running·Aug 2nd of last year. I built this after the start of the·"Community Supported PCB·Milling Machine"·in the "Sandbox" section. There is a picture of it on page 7. http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=539099
With a little luck, it will be stamp powered when the dust settles on that thread.
I just completed the 5/8" standoffs, cut to length and milled flat.·I am ready to mark the servo·screws and drill the standoffs. Then it is on to the ankle axles!
Sorry about the out of focus picture but I think my camera is·about shot! If I had a good idea for the Parallax / HP printing contest I would enter and try to win·a new one
BTW, If you start a preorder list for the Penguins, put my name down.
Added a 2nd picture of the Mill,,, still see the outlines from cutting too deep.· ·oops. It did take me more than one try but I have a couple of good usable spare parts.
Post Edited (Eric R) : 5/1/2006 3:09:12 AM GMT
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There is always an answer.
There is always a way.
There is always a reason.··· -SciTech02.