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Step 5Magnetic Robot Circuit
The robot controller consists of a Picaxe microcontroller which is programmed to provide a sequence of motions to the robot. I find the Picaxe to be the easiest and fastest microcontroller to hook up and program. While it is slower than a standard Pic Micro or Arduino, it is more than fast enough for most experimental robots.
For other Picaxe projects see here: http://www.inklesspress.com/picaxe_projects.htm
And here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-Small-Robots-Making-One-Cubic-Inch-Micro/
The Picaxe controls the robot by serially sending commands to a Polulu micro serial servo controller. The Polulu controller is very small and will continuously hold up to 8 servos in whatever position they are put in. Simple commands from the Picaxe allow you to easily control the position, speed and direction of the servos. I would highly recommend this controller for all kinds of servo based robots.
The schematic shows how the four servos are connected. Servo 0 and 1 guide the 1" magnet along the X and Y axis. Servo 2 is a continuous rotating servo that can rotate the magnet more than 360 degrees. Servo 3 tilts the magnet slightly forward and backward to lower and lift the gripper.
For a short video of the robot turning on a dime, see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwT0wW-srYg
Or click video below:
For other Picaxe projects see here: http://www.inklesspress.com/picaxe_projects.htm
And here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-Small-Robots-Making-One-Cubic-Inch-Micro/
The Picaxe controls the robot by serially sending commands to a Polulu micro serial servo controller. The Polulu controller is very small and will continuously hold up to 8 servos in whatever position they are put in. Simple commands from the Picaxe allow you to easily control the position, speed and direction of the servos. I would highly recommend this controller for all kinds of servo based robots.
The schematic shows how the four servos are connected. Servo 0 and 1 guide the 1" magnet along the X and Y axis. Servo 2 is a continuous rotating servo that can rotate the magnet more than 360 degrees. Servo 3 tilts the magnet slightly forward and backward to lower and lift the gripper.
For a short video of the robot turning on a dime, see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwT0wW-srYg
Or click video below:
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Now, how do you have the controller magnet not suck up the 'robot' and stick on? (magnets attract)
(and before you say it, yes, I know they also repel.)