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Robot building for beginners
Title
Robot building for beginners / David Cook.
ISBN
9781484213599
1484213599
1484213602
9781484213605
9781484213605
Edition
Third edition.
Publication
[Berkeley, CA] : Apress, 2015.
Distribution
New York, NY : Distributed to the Book trade worldwide by Springer
Copyright Notice Date
©2015
Physical Description
1 online resource
Local Notes
Access is available to the Yale community.
Notes
Includes index.
Access and use
Access restricted by licensing agreement.
Summary
"I wrote this book because I love building robots. I want you to love building robots, too. It took me a while to learn about many of the tools and parts in amateur robotics. Perhaps by writing about my experiences, I can give you a head start."--David Cook Robot Building for Beginners, Third Edition provides basic, practical knowledge on getting started in amateur robotics. There is a mix of content: from serious reference tables and descriptions to personal stories and humorous bits. The robot described and built in this book is battery powered and about the size of a lunch box. It is autonomous; that is, it isn't remote controlled. The book is broken up into small chapters, suitable for bedtime (or bathroom) reading. The characteristics and purposes of each major component (resistor, transistor, wire, and motor) are described, followed by a hands-on experiment to demonstrate. Not only does this help the reader to understand a particular piece, but it also prepares them with processes to learn new parts on their own. An appendix offers an introduction to 3D printing and parts of the robot can, as an alternative, be "printed" using a 3D printer. The master project of the book is a simple, entertaining, line-following robot
Variant and related titles
O'Reilly Safari. OCLC KB.
Other formats
Printed edition:
Format
Books / Online
Language
English
Added to Catalog
August 28, 2023
Series
Technology in action
Contents
Machine generated contents note: Four Disciplines
Anatomy of a Homemade Robot
Brains
Electrical Power
Sensors
Action and Feedback
Miscellaneous Components
Body
Building Up
Taking Small Bites
Making Modules
Keeping It Fun and Keeping It Light
Finding Camaraderie and Support
Onward and Upward
Ordering Free Information
Discovering Hidden Messages
Considering Columns
Counting Parts
Comparing Prices
Saving Money
Benefiting from Age and Experience
Following Instructions
Reading Chemical Labels
Donning Safety Glasses
Hanging Glasses and Placing Them Face Up
Wearing Other Safety Clothes
Insuring Adequate Ventilation
Storing Properly
Talking About Your Activities, Materials, and Tools
Washing Before Eating
Avoiding Nasty Elements
Lead
Mercury
Cadmium
Purchasing Safer Parts Labeled RoHS
Shocking
AC vs.
DC
Using Rechargeable Batteries and Professional Transformers
Connecting Through Circuit Breakers and GFCI Outlets
Saving the Ground Prong
Disconnecting Power
Steering Clear of Dangerous Robots
Sizing Up Motors
Lighting Up
Staying Rested and Level-Headed
Must-Have Features
Digital
Digits
DC Voltage
DC Current
Resistance
Probes or Leads
Overload/Fuse Protection
Nice-To-Have Features
Capacitance
Diode
Continuity
Frequency
Duty Cycle
Autoranging
Auto Power Off
Transistor
Dual Display
Maximum
Minimum
Stand
Optional Features
Inductance
Data Interface
Scope
Backlight
Stopwatch/Single Pulse Width
Temperature
Sound
Count
Bar Graph
Data Hold
Data Auto
High/Low/Logic
Memory
Relative
Offset
Limit Testing/Compare
Holster or Rubber Boot
AC Features
AC Voltage
True RMS
AC Current
Obtaining Hook Probe Adaptors
Comparing Actual Multimeters
Understanding the Features of a Low-End Multimeter
Understanding the Features of a Mid-Range Multimeter
Understanding the Features of a Higher-End Multimeter
Comparing Prices with Features
Examining Other Meters
Do Not Proceed Without a Meter
Choosing the Metric System
Reducing Powers of a Thousand
M & m
Alternative for Greek Micro
Abbreviating Units
Too Little
Guessing Missing Units
Expanding from Three Digits
Converting Colors to Numbers
Determining Component Values with a Multimeter
Base Subjects Covered
Defining the Course Conditions
Surface Materials
Course Lighting
Defining the Line
Curving and Crossing Lines
Summarizing Course Conditions
Picking the Robot's Size
Seeing Sandwich
Examining Sandwich
Sandwich Body
Obtaining a Kit
Building Up
Testing Battery Voltage
Setting Up a Multimeter for Voltage Testing
Interpreting Test Results
9 V Battery Characteristics
9 V Battery Recommendations
Recommended
Not Recommended
Battery Brand Names
Using 9 V Batteries in Robots
Mounting Batteries
Powering Forward
Gators Are Hungry Tonight
Obtaining Hook Clips
Testing Jumpers
Setting Up a Multimeter for Continuity Testing
Testing an Open Connection
Testing a Shorted Connection
Testing an Alligator Connection (Shorted)
Discovering Unintended Connections
Plumbing with Jumpers
Limiting Power with Resistors
Obtaining a Resistor Variety Pack
Understanding Size and Tolerance
Cut It Out
Obtaining a Wire Cutter Tool
Resistance and Ohms
Measuring Resistance
Interpreting the Resistance Displayed on the Meter
Experiencing Resistance Ranges
Looking Up Resistor Values Online
Labeling and Storing
Obtaining Storage Cases
Resisting the Temptation to Skip Ahead
Learning About LED Attributes
LED Sizes
LED Shapes
LED Lens Clarities
LED Viewing Angles
LED Colors
LED Brightness
LED Efficiency
Extreme Close Up of an LED
Identifying Multicolor LEDs
Bicolor
Tricolor or Tri-state
Full Color
Testing an LED
Setting Up a Multimeter for Diode Testing
Interpreting LED Test Results
Variety Pack
Brightening Your Way
Introducing the Parts List
Testing the Parts Before Assembly
Reading a Schematic
Building the Power Indicator Circuit
Do You See The Light?
Experimenting with the Power Indicator Circuit
Understanding the Roles of Each Component
Measuring the Power Indicator Circuit
Measuring In-Circuit Voltage
Measuring Current Flow
Calculating Battery Life
Don't Measure Voltage with Probe in Current Terminal
Circuit Summary
Needing A Better Way
Solderless Breadboards
Connecting with Holes
Binding Posts
Hungry for Breadboards
Solderless Breadboard Wire
Choosing Jumper Wire
Making Your Own Jumper Wire
Stripping the Insulation Off of the End of the Wire
Cutting the Wire to Length
Bending the End of the Wire
Making The Connection
Considering Power Sources
Obtaining 9 V Battery Snap Connectors
Connecting Power to Binding Posts
Choosing a Power Switch
Understanding SPDT
Adding a Power Switch to the Breadboard
Connecting Power Buses
Adapting Multimeter Probes Using Jumper Wire
Connecting the Lower Bus
Split Down the Middle
Installing a Power Indicator LED
Checking Voltages at Certain Points
Trimming Leads
Demystifying the Robot's Power Switch
Ready for More
Potentiometers
Trimpot
Turning the Dial
Obtaining Assorted Trimpots
Testing Potentiometers
Variable Brightness LED Circuit
Building the Variable Brightness LED Circuit
Brightness Balancing Circuit
Building the Brightness Balanced LEDs Circuit
Cadmium-Sulfide Photoresistors
Obtaining Assorted Photoresistors
Experiencing the Variable Resistance of a Photoresistor
Light-Controlled Circuit
Balanced Brightness-Sensing Circuit
Part List for Balanced Brightness-Sensing Circuit
Brightness-Sensing Pairs
Matching Photoresistors
Resistance-Balancing Potentiometer
Current-Limiting Resistor
Test Points
Converting Resistance to Voltage with a Voltage Divider
Building the Balanced Brightness-Sensing Circuit
Inability to Balance the Brightness-Sensing Circuit
Voltage Comparator
Examining the LM393
Obtaining Comparators
Brightness Comparator Circuit
Comparing a Schematic with a Wiring Diagram
Labeling Parts
Drawing Connected and Unconnected Wire
Understanding the Brightness Comparator Circuit
Parts List for the Brightness Comparator Circuit
Building the Brightness Comparator Circuit
Adding Headlights
Understanding the Headlight Circuit's Two LEDs
Building the Headlight Circuit
Repeating the Multiple LED Trick
Appreciating a Simple Mind
Defining Negative Power
Focusing on the 2907A Transistor
Testing Bipolar Transistors with a Multimeter
Testing with a Multimeter that Has a Transistor Socket
Testing with a Multimeter that Has a Diode Test
Bipolar Transistor Test Circuits
Examining the Schematic for the PNP Transistor Test Circuit
Building the PNP Transistor Test Circuit
Examining the Schematic for the NPN Transistor Test Circuit
Building the NPN Transistor Test Circuit
Brightness Comparator Circuit with Transistors
Calculating Current-Limiting Transistors
Building the Brightness Comparator Circuit with Transistors
Summarizing PNP and NPN Transistors
How DC Motors Work
Looking Inside an Iron-Core Permanent-Magnet DC Brush Motor
Looking Inside an Iron-Core Permanent-Magnet DC Brushless Motor
Looking Inside a Coreless Permanent-Magnet DC Brush Motor
Simple DC Motor Circuit
Selecting a Motor for the Simple DC Motor Circuit
Selecting a Battery for the Simple DC Motor Circuit
Building the Simple DC Motor Circuit
Primary Characteristics of DC Motors
Rotational Speed Characteristic of DC Motors
Torque Characteristic of DC Motors
Voltage Characteristic of DC Motors
Current Characteristic of DC Motors
Efficiency Characteristic of DC Motors
Audible Noise Characteristic of DC Motors
Electrical Noise Characteristic of DC Motors
Mass Characteristic of DC Motors
Dimension Characteristic of DC Motors
Summarizing the Characteristics of DC Motors
DC Gearhead Motors
Looking Inside a Spur Gearhead Motor
Describing Gear Ratios
Imperfect Speed to Torque Conversion
Disadvantages of Gearheads
Comparing Planetary Versus Spur Gearhead Motors
Choosing a Gearhead Motor
Moving Forward
Selecting Gearhead Motors
Obtaining the Gearhead Motors
Inspecting the Gearhead.
Motor
Adding Motors to the Brightness Comparator Circuit
Introducing the Diode
Building the Motors onto the Brightness Comparator Circuit
Completing the Electronics
Anatomy of a Wheel
Characteristics of Robot Wheels
Creamy Air Filling
Tire Shapes
Tire Width
Tread Designs
Tire Diameter
Selecting Robot Wheels
Wheel Choice for Sandwich
Determining Minimum and Maximum Diameter
Determining the Maximum Diameter Based on Speed
My Choice of Wheels for Sandwich
Alternative Choices of Wheels for Sandwich
Cleaning Tires
Rolling Along
Alternatives
Making Couplers If You Have Metal-Working Equipment
Printing Couplers
Tubing.
Note continued: Choosing Between Brass and Aluminum Tubing
Specifying and Obtaining Tubing Sizes
Measuring and Cutting the Tubing
Determining and Marking Tube Lengths
Cutting Tubing
Finishing the Cut by Sanding
Testing the Cut Pieces
LEGO Cross Axles
Selecting a LEGO Cross Axle Length
Obtaining LEGO Cross Axles
Gluing the Coupler Together
Coming Unglued
Using Epoxy
Adding a Setscrew to the Coupler
Marking a Hole for the Setscrew
Drill Press
Drill-Press Vise
Drilling the Hole for the Setscrew
Tapping the Hole for the Setscrew
Inserting the Setscrew
Admiring the Coupler
Solder Wire
Flux
Soldering Iron
Soldering Stand
Soldering Sponge
Helping-Hand Tool
Desoldering Vacuum Tools
Steps of a Typical Soldering Session
Get Ready to Solder
Putting Together the Motors and Switches
Putting Together the Motors
Putting Together the Line-Following Switch
Putting Together the Tube LED Circuit
Finishing Up
Soldering Experience
Line-Following Circuit
Tweaking For Better Performance
Point-to-Point Soldering Versus a Printed Circuit Board
Point-to-Point Soldering the Line-Following Circuit
Testing the Robot's Electronics
Dangers of a Low-Resistance Circuit
Checking for Unsoldered Leads
Checking All Leads that Connect Directly to Positive Voltage
Measuring the Resistance of the Entire Circuit
Measuring the Voltage Drop
Reheating Solder Joints
Holding Your Breath
Approaching Robot Bodies
Ethereal Drafting[
]Thinking About the Robot
Vision Revision[
]Accepting Constraints Based on Available Parts
Designing Custom Bodies
Printing in 3D
Embracing Prefabricated Platforms
Transforming the Sandwich Container
Creating Motor Holes
Mounting the Motors
Creating the Motor Tube
Installing the Motors and Tube
Adding the Switches and Battery Holder
Adding the Circuit Board
Drilling Holes for the Trimpots
Carving Out a Window in the Container Lid
Finishing Touches
Ready to Roll
Correcting and Tweaking
Preliminary Examination
Trial Run: Following a Straight Line
Correcting Common Problems
Does This Look Straight to You?
Maiden Voyage
Solving Steering Problems
Potential Improvements Line-following robot:
Protecting Against a Reversed Battery
Eliminating Surges with Capacitors
Improving Line-Following
Final Bow
Playing with Sensor Circuitry
Lowering Light Sensor Resistance
Driving Straight
Revising or Leaping?
Reducing Cost and Improving Capabilities
Shrinking Packages
Increasing Functionality
Shrinking Costs
Ever Changing
Robot Components
Logic Chips
Microcontrollers
Voltage Regulators
Capacitors
Solar Power
Resistor Networks
Pushbuttons
DIP Switches
Jumpers and Shorting Blocks
Tilt Sensor
Temperature Sensors
Touch Sensors
Object Detection and Infrared Remote Control
Distance and Object Sensor
Oscillators and Crystals
Sound
Relays
Adding Gears
Servos
Encoders[
]Determining Wheel Speed
Displays
Wireless Data and Control
Everyday Challenges
Houseplant-Watering Robot
Compost Cart
Trash Emptier
Window Washer
Roof Rat
Micro Snowplow
Slug Squisher
Automatic Street mailbox
Contests
Worldwide Robot Sumo
Trinity College Fire-Fighting
Atlanta Robot Vacuuming
Seattle Robotics Society Robothon
Dallas Personal Robotics Group Roborama
Central Illinois Robotics Club
Chicago Area Robotics Group (Chibots)
Great Wide Open
Magical Ohm's Law
Ohm's Law is Helpful in Selecting a Current-Limiting Resistor
Help in Determining Current from a Voltage
Key Point of Ohm's Law
Larger Implication of Ohm's Law
Things I've Accidentally Destroyed While Writing This Book
Which Way Does a 9 V Battery Get Installed?
Melting Switches
Popping Multimeter Fuses
Fool Me, Twice
Voltage's Real Name
Ground, Not Negative Voltage
V Double Letter
Getting Into 3D Printing
Leaping Not Very Far
Rapidly Improving
Printing the Motor Coupler
Designing the Model
Preparing to Print
Printing in 3D
Finishing the Coupler
Printing a 3D Wheel
Treading Lightly
Compromising with a Hybrid Wheel
Designing a Robot Body
Cover
Trying It Yourself.
Subjects
Genre/Form
Electronic books.
handbooks.
manuals (instructional materials)
Handbooks and manuals.
Handbooks and manuals.
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