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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Signing UpStep 1: Build the Robotic Arm Edge
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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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?
"Yes" is the answer to your question.
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/
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.
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!
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...
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
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
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.
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!
i have 1 question......can i connect xbee to arduino with out breakout board.....because you use 2 breakout board in this project...
So, the answer to your question is no, you cannot connect XBee module to Arduino without breakout board!
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.
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.
http://www.cytron.com.my/viewProduct.php?pid=HRU1CBk3DAE8CRM2JzUHO614KQHZjFy/dBGfZCPz4Og=
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!
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.
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?
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!
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