Introduction
I created the StorageBot to help solve a problem experienced by most Makers. After many years of accumulating thousands of parts stored in storage bins, I began to go crazy looking for parts scattered between so many of these bins. The hardest parts to find were always those rare miscellaneous parts that were thrown somewhere into a "junk" bin. StorageBot solves the location problem by listening to my voice commands, processing the location of parts from a master database and then delivering the matching bins in a manner that only a robot can do!
StorageBot does have a bigger picture when it comes to purpose. I explain in my video that it's not about building a StorageBot that's important, but rather it's the skills we can learn from such projects that help to enrich our knowledge and inspire us to build the next great thing or start the next cool business.
In this Instructable you'll gain insights into the electronics, mechanics and software systems used to create useful projects by utilizing commonly available components such as the Arduino and stepper motors.
I've included a bazillion pictures and files. Source code for the Aduino program, source code for the Visual Basic voice recognition software, DXF files for the ABS parts, schematics for the electronics, 3D files drawn in the free Autodesk 123D program, parts list, etc... It's all here!
If you find this project inspirational and helpful then don't forget to vote for it in the ShopBot contest. I would use a ShopBot to create the ABS parts, aluminum parts and vaccuum form molds for my next generation home robots.
Enjoy!
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I've got 2 more instructables in the works and should have them up by the end of the month, then it will be only house projects for the summer.
Of course their is a certain appeal and shear coolness factor of the system ejecting the bins for you. Not to mention I love the the new use of a cnc system.
Another idea to upgrade the system would be to add a camera that could snap a picture of an object put on a shelf next to the computer (maybe it looks like a star trek replicator) and than have the computer find the matching parts in the bins, or associated parts. For example you put a 1/4 bolt in the "digitizing" area and the computer finds all 1/4" related hardware. Of course you could add motion activation to the camera with a small delay for automatic detection. Or alternatively a big red glowing button ( like an e-stop button) to the side of the star trek replicator style shelf, labeled "digitize".
I am really impressed with the new use of the cnc ( at least new to me) and see a similar system in the future for my shop ( although most likely with the LED grid). I run a product design, and retail company. Our prototyping lab is always becoming a mess amidst the messy internals of a project, and I need to add a more comprehensive organization system. Once again super awesome! And you've got my vote!
I converted a manual milling machine to CNC and used it to cut the plastic ABS parts in the Instructable. I tried to cut some ABS at the local FabLab but it stunk up the lab too much.
I just finished building a power draw bar for the mill which allows me to easily swap cutting bits with a foot switch. Here's a short video:
Anyway my point was the exhaust system allows me to cut plastics with zero smell. Not to mention the dust control.
What software are you using to control the cnc draw bar? Also how is it activated? Computer interface, something else? Or is this posted as an ible somewhere that will answer my questions?
I meant to say using a laser cutter on ABS stunk the lab up. Using my mill wasn't bad at all for smell because I can run only up to 2000 rpm.
I use a foot pedal that controls a pneumatic solenoid 12 volt valve. The valve controls the compressed air going to the giant pneumatic cylinder on the top. The cylinder pushing down on some spring washers that releases the tool holder from the collet. This system was based on many other designs described on CNCZone forum.
The tool holders are called TTS from Tormach. It is designed for an R8 spindle common on mills. Routers don't use this type of spindle so a quick change is a bit more difficult. Here are some pics. Hopefully they can be viewed in full resolution.
Anyway really happy for you! Good Job! I think you will do great things with the shopbot!
Just use your friends as test subjects to get your bearings about the particulars of the machine. And give them a disclaimer that there's a chance for messing up. Good way to make them pay you back, even if it's intangible experience; plus you don't carry the burden of buying test material.
Here's one project I did with my machine.
Big congrats to you... now please come to my house and build me one? ;-D
Now imagine each bin has a unique RFID tag and there is an RFID reader attached to the Z carriage. The Z carriage can now sweep past every coordinate location, read the RFID tag, and update the database locations or alert the user if the bin is in the wrong location.
I'm in Seattle, and we have one of the most-utilized library systems in the country, but falling tax revenues. This has meant cut library hours and worse.
So I thought it would be nice if the library had neighborhood pickup boxes for your library items. They'd be like vending machines, but with your books, CDs, DVDs, etc in them. Scan your card, enter your pin, and your hold drops out (you'd get an email through your account telling you when your hold was available.)
?
(First of all, my apologies, my english isn't very good).
I'm about to start building my own workshop (well, not me, people that knows about bricks and that sort of stuff) and I was puzzling my mind on how I can resolve some similar system.
Your idea was far better and simpler, I always apreciate that, KISS.
My plan was to do some kind of arm, that would be flexible enough to diferent box sizes and positions, but this scheme is as flexible, and much easier.
Again, thanks, I hope you win the ShopBot challenge, regreatably, I got here too late to cast my vote.
Excellent Work!!!!
http://arduino.cc/playground/Learning/WhatAdapter