USB Robot

This is my entry for the Robot Contest (13 - 18 age group)

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We have recently added a simple, low cost robotic arm to the robot, and written software that allows remote control of the arm and robot itself via WiiMote. This will be published when it is completley up and running (an my exams are over)

This instructible will describe the processes required to build a system for interfacing with a robot (and the basics of building a robot) around the velleman K8055 USB interface board (availible online or at maplins)
The robot is built mostly from scraps i had at home and parts from a car breakers yard
the whole project cost around £50 but will be much less if you have parts at home

I managed to throw this together in a few days but if you had all the parts ready it could be done in a day

I apologise in advance for the many typos i expect to find


I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING STUPID YOU DO BUILDING / USING THIS ROBOT!
(This includes problems with the software)

Step 1 Gather Parts

For the basics of this project (motor interface and control boards) you will need:

USB interface board : http://www.maplin.co.uk/usb-experiment-interface-board-42857
2 computers (software WORKS with windows xp and vista, server not tested under win7 but client works) (client computer is optional, but pointless without)
a network connecting both computers (could be the internet)
Computer must be running microsoft .NET service pack 4

        Motor controler parts:
                      Blank PCB (or stripboard) and etching stuff
                      3x relays suitable for your motor (6v for coil) (cheap if you buy in bulk on ebay)
                      1x relay for light (optional) (ebay)
                      some bits of wire low current bell wire for signals (maplin)
                      some bits of high current wire suitable for motors (from an old emergency light)
                      4x diode (1n4004 reccomended) (maplin/ebay) (cheap on ebay in bulk)
                      Terminal block (not neccicery but very handy) (Very cheap at boot sales, can get from B&Q)
                      Basic Soldering skills (A soldering iron and solder helps too)
                      9v battery and clip

                     
Extras to build the actual robot:

2x car windscreen wiper motors (matching pair) (car breakers yard £10 each)
2x 6mm coupling nuts (or whatever thread your motor shaft is) (ebay £6 for 10)
2x wheels (i used wheelchair wheels) (£5 from car breakers yard)
2x bolts / threaded rod connecting coupling nuts to wheels (size of coupling nuts) (i had this laying around at home, but is availible from wickes/B£Q for a few quid)
6x bolts long enough to go through your wood and right size to fit motor mount holes (had these at home too, i used M6)
Many washers to get the bolts in the wheels well
Wood to make the base, the size is up to you, my netbook JUST fits in mine and it  is 29cm x 36 cm
Wood to make the walls (TIP : get wood that is as long as the body and is more than wide enough to get all 3 motor nuts in)
Grey pipe insulation for bumpers
1x trolley wheel (got mine from B&Q)
1x 12v battery (from alarm system,  7amp hours)

Tell me if i have missed anything!

Comments

[Avadhut.Deshmukh]

good project. works great !

[ooda55]

Thank you
We were aiming to make a solution for begginers to use and program for the K8055 board, which with the included source code i belive we accomplished, along with making a very cool robot
We have now added a low price toy robotic arm, which can be controlled over the internet via a software hook.
I plan to be adding photos and the code very soon!

[Avadhut.Deshmukh]

arduino pls new code