By Coleman Benson & filed under Dynamic Tools, How To Make a Robot, Mechanics.
This tutorial is intended to complement the Robot Arm Torque Calculator found in the Dynamic Tools section of GoRobotics. The equations used in the calculator to determine the torque required at any given lifting joint (raising the arm vertically) in a robotic arm are presented here. Note that the term “actuator” is used rather than motor because […]
By Coleman Benson & filed under Where to Start.
A Motor Controller is a device that acts as intermediary between your robot’s microcontroller, batteries and motors. A motor controller is necessary because a microcontroller can usually only provide roughly 0.1 Amps of current whereas most actuators (DC motors, DC gear motors, servo motors etc.) require several Amps. The current a motor consumes is related to […]
By Coleman Benson & filed under Where to Start.
An actuator is a device that converts electrical energy into physical motion. Choosing the right actuators (which include DC motors, gear motors, servo motors, linear actuators, muscle wire etc.) requires an imagination and a bit of math and physics. The vast majority of actuators produce either rotational or linear motion though combinations thereof can lead to complex motion. […]
By Coleman Benson & filed under Where to Start.
For a beginner, choosing the right microcontroller may seem like a daunting task, especially considering the range of products, specifications and potential applications. There are many different microcontroller boards available on the market: Arduino; BasicATOM; BasicX; Blueroomelectronics; POB Technology; Parallax. Pololu; Miscellaneous (Robotics Connection, New Micros, Rogue Robotics) and many more. Unless you plan to […]
By Coleman Benson & filed under Where to Start.
There are many different ways to communicate with a robot. Robots are most often controlled using a tether (wired), wirelessly or autonomously. Tethered The easiest way to control a robot is using a handheld controller connected physically to the robot using wires or a cable. Toggle switches on the controller allow you to control the […]
By Coleman Benson & filed under Where to Start.
Robots can be used in almost any situation and are primarily intended to help humans in some way, shape or form. If you are unsure of what you want your robot to do or simply want to concentrate your efforts on specific tasks, here are some ideas: Amusement & Companionship Building a robot in and of […]
By Julie Gendron & filed under Domestic, RobotShop.
If you were at all curious how the Neato XV-11 performed in the RobotShop Ultimate Challenge, then this post is for you. RobotShop has done the tests, compiled the results, and put it all together for you. The findings may (or may not) surprise you. For anyone thinking of buying a robot vacuum cleaner, you […]
By Julie Gendron & filed under Domestic, RobotShop, Vacuum.
Years ago, RobotShop started offering our Limited Lifetime Warranty on the Roomba, and as of late 2010, on the Neato XV-11 also. Considering the run-time and amount of work the average robotic vacuum cleaner goes through, it made buying with RobotShop a smart decision. Now RobotShop is extending the Limited Lifetime Warranty to all domestic robotic […]
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