Make Wired Robotic Arm Edge to "Wireless" with DIY Arduino + XBee

 by sath02

UPDATE: Added Schematic, Top Layer PCB, Bottom Layer PCB, and both Top, Bottom PCB images

When I finished the  "RevIO" - an Arduino Clone that has the different way of exposing pins usage. I decided to go further to the next project. To test my "RevIO" board that it could do the bigger task than just blinking the LED!

I modified the Wired Robotic Arm Edge to Wireless controlled, using my "RevIO" and DIY Three-Motor Driver ICs PCB together with XBee Series 1 module.

This instructables introduces the way I constructed Three-Motor Driver ICs PCB from scratch. Then using it as the "piggy back" on my "RevIO" Board.

To control the Robotic Arm, I designed the GUI (Graphical User Interface) with the Processing on the PC and Arduino sketch for driving the motors.

I also added the 6-pin socket as an alternative to use Bluetooth module (Sparkfun's Bluetooth Modem - Blue SMiRF Silver, or Bluetooth Modem - Blue SMIRF Gold.)

Again I am going to use the same presentation method as Build "The RevIO" (Arduino Clone) My Way,  to build the board using the graphical illustrations, together with the photos of actual build of the board.
 
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Step 1: Build the Robotic Arm Edge

I got the Robotic Arm Edge Kit from TPE Shop in Thailand three months ago, while I was visiting my family in Thailand. But I did not do until I got back to USA a month later. 

This is my very first Robotic Arm I ever encountered with. A week after I got back, I started to constructed the kit. I spend about four hours to build and pause to take pictures for this instructables.

I will not show you how I managed to put the kit together, but here is the collage of how I put the Robotic Arm together from the start to finish!
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lgeng qi says: Apr 30, 2013. 7:54 PM
Sir.. About the 3 IC's you mention above, are you suggesting using one of those IC's for the 3 IC's slot or use them all together? Cause from the picture above, I can see that you are using L293D for all IC slots..
sath02 (author) in reply to lgeng qiMay 1, 2013. 9:02 AM
Hi lgeng qi,
The Robotic Arm has five motors. I used three L293D ICs to control those motors.
Each L293D IC can only controls two motors.
So we needed to use three L293D ICs, two of them would control four motors, left the third one controls only one or the fifth motor.
Is this answer your question?
rbrasil1 says: Mar 18, 2013. 6:10 AM
in this case "arm" the power source is still on the batteries?
sath02 (author) in reply to rbrasil1Mar 21, 2013. 7:30 AM
Sorry for the late reply. I just came back from a long vacation.
"Yes" is the answer to your question.
azia2 says: Dec 25, 2012. 5:24 AM
can u show me how u connected u arduino with H bridge circuit .... i couldnt find schematics for dat...
sath02 (author) in reply to azia2Dec 25, 2012. 7:44 AM
Tak a look at Step 3,
or
Step 11 of "Processing Controls R/C Car with XBee modules" here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Processing-Controls-RC-Car-with-XBee-modules/




azia2 says: Dec 17, 2012. 10:33 AM
Proteus is a simulation software.it do interact with arduino using assymbly language. Actually i am replicating ur design. of the robot. but have to make the robot from scratch . using servo etc. there are no wheels . its the same arm dat u got ready made (with 5 dgree of freedom) . U just configure it to run from ur GUI. Em making that robot my self. using palstic or aluminium body and installing motors in it. make me some recomendation about design
sath02 (author) in reply to azia2Dec 17, 2012. 11:15 AM
Well, I'm not a robot design expert!
I build this robot arm from commercial kit, and this is the only robot arm I build so far.
So I considered myself not very helpful to you that much.

But if you want to design a good robot arm.
My recommendation would be to search and look at some other peoples who did built a robot arm (use "robot arm" or "robotic arm" keyword and search, starting from inside instructables.com).
Then ask yourself (or ask the person who built those robot arms) some questions, something like,
What make this robot arm unique?
Is this robot arm working just like the way you're looking for?
What kind of materials they are using? Will another kind of materials would work on my robot arm?
Why they put the servos or motors on that position? Will that make the robot arm work better that way?
How they integrated their software?
etc..
Then use that answers to be the guideline for the design of your robot arm.

You already did well on showing me about what you thought about using Proteus in your project!

Good luck.
azia2 says: Dec 15, 2012. 1:18 PM
What u recommend ? i use servo motors or some other motor to make the robot deisgn? Please reply soon ..
sath02 (author) in reply to azia2Dec 16, 2012. 10:03 AM
Servo motors have a limitation of rotation. It rotates from 0 to 180. But there is a full rotation (360 deg.) I thing it from Parallex.

There are a lot of think to thinking about, when you want to design something.
What kind of robot you are thinking to build?
Will the robot have any sensor(s)?
Whether the robot will use track or wheels?
After you answer those question above, then you come to think about what will be the suitable power supply for the robot?
And many more factors that you need to thinking about while designing your robot.
Try to make a sketch and show them to your friends or your teacher.

I could not make any recommendation with such a broad question. If you have something more on what you want to do, please show it may be I could help you more.
Sorry!
azia2 says: Dec 15, 2012. 1:15 PM
Can u tell me how to link all of ur processing and arduino code with proteus?
sath02 (author) in reply to azia2Dec 16, 2012. 9:49 AM
I'm not familiar with proteus! What is it?
azia2 says: Nov 30, 2012. 10:01 AM
HI sath, sorry for late replay ... i was having exams for the last two weeks so, i was unable to answer ur mail. I mentioned u in a private massege about the arduino and processing code.... it was actually the serial port error... arduino was using COM3 and the processing code had COM 30 ... now its working fine and the buttons on the GUI are clickable.. i also took some help from u r comments above... Actually it is my FINAL YEAR PROJECT... :-P .. I m trying to reproduce the same thing.. but the bad part is, I have to make the robot from Scratch ... now i want u to help me accordingly ..propose me some designs of RObot ARm if u can.. can u also tell me which particular type of Arduino Board should i use, because i need to start working on the hardware ...
Aghilan8 says: Oct 1, 2012. 6:07 AM
Hi there...

It's nice project u did...its similar with my thesis title....i jus need your help....is tat possible to use our own circuit board by replacing arduino.......it's will be better have some schematic...thanks...
sath02 (author) in reply to Aghilan8Oct 2, 2012. 6:16 AM
Thanks.
Yes, you could build your own circuit board to replace Arduino.
Take a look at http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-The-RevIO-Arduino-Clone-My-Way/ for the schematic.
Hope this help
Aghilan8 in reply to sath02Oct 2, 2012. 7:15 AM
Really Thanks for that.....and also how about the Xbee Adapter board, is that any chance to it by our own like arduino.....And i need some help here which i want to modify the processing program which i can make a record of the robotic arm movement and play it back......it will be really helpful

sath02 (author) in reply to Aghilan8Oct 2, 2012. 9:57 AM
Aghilan8
You're welcome!

About Xbee Adapter, take a look at Sparkfun's website www.sparkfun.com or www.adafruit.com, search for XBee adapter. They are providing the schematic for the XBee adapter board, that you can use it to make your own adapter board.

To record the robotic arm movement and replay the motion. Processing alone could not do it.
You need addition hardware, for example, potentiometer, to do the measurement of the motor rotation. And you should be able to do it in Arduino sketch instead.
The following link will give you the ideal of how to do it.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Intro-and-what-youll-need/step2/Attach-the-sensors/

Hope this help an good luck
Aghilan8 in reply to sath02Oct 4, 2012. 7:53 PM
hi....thanks for your link..its really helpful for me....by the way i got see in this project that you use bluetooth device as replacement for wireless....can i know how to control the robotic arm from computer via bluetooth and is there any chance that i can control from Android phone.....( hpow to program for android app ).......
sath02 (author) in reply to Aghilan8Oct 5, 2012. 8:58 AM
You 're welcome.

About the Bluetooth question.
It is really easy to substitute XBee with Bluetooth module. Since both use the same communication protocol- UART Serial Comm. that use TX and RX pins to communicate.

At Sparkfun's tutorials webpage have a good tutorial about how to use Bluetooth.
OR you can use instructables search with the keyword bluetooth to see the available articles about bluetooth.
link: www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/264/

I do not have an Android phone, so I have no experience to tell you about it. But I saw some instructables shows how to use Android to controls stuffs. You could search for it too.

Hope this help.

Aghilan8 in reply to sath02Oct 9, 2012. 9:16 AM
HI.....Thank you very much for your kind help....it is really helping me alot......if i gt any complicated with my project....i will try to contact you through this site....thanks once again
sath02 (author) in reply to Aghilan8Oct 9, 2012. 10:04 AM
You're welcome!
I would love to see your project, if you don't mind posting it. You might get some feedback or comment with the project.
Cheers!
Aghilan8 in reply to sath02Oct 11, 2012. 7:07 AM
Hi there.....

i have 1 question......can i connect xbee to arduino with out breakout board.....because you use 2 breakout board in this project...
sath02 (author) in reply to Aghilan8Oct 11, 2012. 8:57 AM
XBee module have 2.0mm pitch (the distance between the output pins), which is difference than the pitch of the PCB or breakout board (usually 2.54mm or 0.1").

So, the answer to your question is no, you cannot connect XBee module to Arduino without breakout board!

Aghilan8 in reply to sath02Oct 20, 2012. 10:00 PM
Wokey...thany you for that.....and i need a small help from you....can i get the flow chart and the steps for ur programming for both processing and arduino....and can i change the background or the processing interface that u have created.....and can i split 1 output for motor to two motor....cos i like to add 1 more motor in shoulder.....
sath02 (author) in reply to Aghilan8Oct 22, 2012. 6:56 AM
Hi,
The flow chart, well I leave it as the homework for you. You should be able to figure out from the source code.

You can change the background in the processing interface. But don't forget to credit where you get the original code from.

If you look at the motors control schematic or diagram you will see that there is one unuse motor control pins (on motor driver IC #3) available. So you can use that to control an addition motor.

Hope this help.
Aghilan8 in reply to sath02Oct 24, 2012. 6:54 PM
Oh k,,,,thanks for ur homework....and can i use xbee series2 or xbee pro......if i did not get to buy xbee series1........and if i use bluetooth device.....i just have to buy 1 device only right....then i will control from PC through my internal pc bluetooth device right....and can i just connect that wireless device which is xbee n bluetooth in circuit board..?
sath02 (author) in reply to Aghilan8Oct 25, 2012. 3:24 PM
I hope it is an easy homework!;)

For the XBee Series 2 the configuration seem to be a little different than Series 1.
See the link here for the guide
http://examples.digi.com/get-started/basic-xbee-zb-zigbee-chat/

If you want to use the bluetooth device, yes , you only need only 1 Bluetooth device, and you could control from the PC. Check your PC if it has the bluetooth! Not all PC has built-in Bluetooth, especially old PC!
For Bluetooth you will need to connect TX from Bluetooth to RX of the micro controller or Arduino. And connect RX from Bluetooth to TX of micro controller or Arduino.
Then connect VCC (check the power supply for the bluetooth whether it is 5V or 3.3V).
Then connect GND from the Bluetooth to GND of micro controller or Arduino.

Aghilan8 in reply to sath02Oct 25, 2012. 7:36 PM
Thanks for that......and 1 more thing can i use UC00B - USB to UART converter instead of FTDI cable....i will connect from Xbee Adapter kit and to USB port in PC... and this is the link to UC00B - USB to UART
http://www.cytron.com.my/viewProduct.php?pid=HRU1CBk3DAE8CRM2JzUHO614KQHZjFy/dBGfZCPz4Og=
sath02 (author) in reply to Aghilan8Oct 26, 2012. 6:25 AM
I could not go to the link! :(
But I saw some youtube video demonstrated how to use this breakout board, and it mentioned that it worked fine uploading code to an Arduino.
So, I would say that it should work! You need to check the pins if it is the same as FTDI cable pins out. Good luck!
Aghilan8 in reply to sath02Oct 31, 2012. 7:57 AM
thanks for that....can i know how much voltage did you supply for motor driver circuit and what is maximum voltage i can supply to motor driver. because i am using servo motor which can stand for until 7volt
sath02 (author) in reply to Aghilan8Oct 31, 2012. 8:38 AM
I used the existing type C 6V battery (4 x 1.5V).
You can check the datasheet for the maximum voltage.
I think L293D motor driver can withstand up to around 25V, again please check the datasheet.
Aghilan8 in reply to sath02Oct 31, 2012. 9:42 AM
wokey thanks for that information.....i try my best level to find out that

Aghilan8 in reply to Aghilan8Nov 21, 2012. 5:25 AM
Hi Ter its quiet long time rdy.....i got few problem with configuration of Xbee with my USB to UART (UC00B) and also xbee adapter board.... when i connect xbee with adapter board to pc with UC00B, the green light n red light did not flashing out....and also i can nt configure the xbee....pls help me on this....very urgent
sath02 (author) in reply to Aghilan8Nov 21, 2012. 1:07 PM
Hi,
Check the power supply if you have 3.3V for XBee.
Check if pin TX from your UART go to RX (DIn) pin on XBee
Check if pin RX from your UART go to TX (Dout) on XBee
Check the baud rate if you have the same baud rate.

Have you installed the FTDI's VCP (Virtual Com Port) Driver?
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

Are you using X-CTU to configure your XBee?
Aghilan8 in reply to sath02Nov 22, 2012. 4:12 AM
And also i want to know...that can i do this project without xbee....just use wire from pc....and i want to know how to do that......and i can use other xbee adapter and UART....pls help on this....very urgent
sath02 (author) in reply to Aghilan8Nov 22, 2012. 7:39 AM
You could connect the robot arm to PC. But you still need FTDI or UART(UC00B)
By connecting:
TX pin on UART(UC00B) to RX pin on Arduino (D0).
RX pin on UART(UC00B) to TX pin on Arduino (D1).

Set the serial comm. port to the right "COM" port in the Processing sketch.
Set the same baudrate to be the same in both Arduino Sketch, and Processing sketch.

I would recommended to go to
Go to this link if you are using XBee Series 1.
http://examples.digi.com/get-started/basic-xbee-802-15-4-chat/1/

if you are using XBee Series 2 go to this link:
http://examples.digi.com/get-started/basic-xbee-zb-zigbee-chat/

Try them first ans see what happen, OK?
You could learn more about XBee Serial Comm.
I know that It is very frustrating. I had that before too, when I started woriking on Serial Comm. especially XBee the first time!

Aghilan8 in reply to sath02Nov 22, 2012. 8:21 AM
can i use other xbee adapter such as like this....check link below
http://www.myduino.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=50&product_id=108
http://www.myduino.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=50&product_id=139
http://www.myduino.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=50&product_id=178
sath02 (author) in reply to Aghilan8Nov 22, 2012. 8:54 AM
Any one of those should work!
Aghilan8 in reply to sath02Nov 22, 2012. 9:14 AM
thanks brother for helping me will try to use your infomation......
Aghilan8 in reply to Aghilan8Nov 26, 2012. 5:38 AM
I am able to configure the both xbee and get the response rdy.....now i have new problem.....were i can turn on and off the light bt can nt run the motor....i have test with test program...its can run the motor bt with main program can nt...
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