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Post by Dingo on Nov 5, 2004 13:51:14 GMT 10
Excellent - I want to see those fingers move!
As soon as my exams are over (fri 12th) I'm going to get into casting in a big way, both plastic and metal.
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Post by Dingo on Sept 24, 2004 9:49:46 GMT 10
I don't know how much it costs but I have seen some places that do laser cutting of plastic.
That could give a good level of finish to plastic tracks.
Don't forget that there are plenty of metal fabrication shops around, it has been my experience that most places will do little jobs for really good prices (I'm talking starting at $5 but it is always cash so credit card would be no good).
(To the ATO: BTW I'm not talking about tax avoidance but avoiding the overhead of processing a small creadit card transaction).
Usually welding shops have the equipment that we hobbyists just don't have and they can do a job in no time flat using the proper tools.
If you are really lucky, get the apprientice to do it in his own time and it could be even cheaper (although if it is a precision part like a tank track I'd go with an old hand)
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Post by Dingo on Sept 6, 2004 21:57:28 GMT 10
<monty burns> eeeeexcellent </monty burns> Seriously, sounds like some good stuff
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Post by Dingo on Aug 10, 2004 10:02:08 GMT 10
That reminds me of the quote from Terminator 1 <Pararphased> At first we could tell them apart due to their rubber skin but now Cyberdyne is growing human flesh over metal endo skeletons and we use the dogs to tell them apart </Paraphrased> Then in his flashback, a terminator starts killing everyone....hmmmm
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Post by Dingo on Aug 9, 2004 15:04:33 GMT 10
I also got my order from Oatley today. I highly recommend the $24 Packard Bell Remote controls. They plug into your PC and there is free software for them - I got my working within 10 minutes of receiving it.
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Post by Dingo on Aug 7, 2004 22:38:10 GMT 10
I think Bones' intends it to be metal finally
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Post by Dingo on Jul 24, 2006 23:29:30 GMT 10
yeah, I think Ubuntu is a watershed in Linux, is only with it that I've started to use Linux more than Windows. Don't forget that an ARM9 with a couple of megs of ram can run all the linux you need for some things The new AVR32 from Atmel (so new it is only prototypes at this stage) runs Linux on very little power etc - so I think Linux will be the focus of most future robotics - at least for a while yet with things like LinuxRT etc.
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Post by Dingo on Aug 6, 2004 19:57:05 GMT 10
using what works is better than using something that doesn't BTW there is a version of Linux for Robotics called....umm...I think LinuxRT (for Real Time). It has interupts within the Kernel (or something) that allows it to react faster. Might be worth having a look at. BTW I run Fedora 2 at home so if I can help I'm more than happy.......but I'm no Guru by any means.
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Post by Dingo on Aug 6, 2004 15:56:33 GMT 10
So Bones, what operating system is your beast going to use?
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Post by Dingo on Feb 13, 2007 17:57:18 GMT 10
Ah don't worry about the lipstick, around here the party really "swings" when it comes to robots* Looks like it could be a good site, especially for starting out. oh yeah and competition is a wonderful thing .......but then again, so is time to pursue hobbies *No I don't have some form or robo pRon around my house, unless of course you consider datasheets "under the covers"
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Post by Dingo on Sept 25, 2006 18:23:06 GMT 10
Nice work.
BTW I too am looking for a good source of cheap acyrlic in Aust, anyone got a good one?
On the flip side, anyone thought of using old CDs somehow? ie rivet small bits of it together or maybe melt them together or melt them into liquid and re-cast (is this even possible?.....time to google!)
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Post by Dingo on Aug 1, 2006 21:19:19 GMT 10
Yeah I agree the fax machine sounds like a great idea - if you need to control the stepper motor be away that the stepper motor in the fax will be a bit of a beast compared to some Have a look at some of the boards available like www.futurlec.com.au/StepperMotorController.jsp but if you need more grunt, you can build your own pretty easily and control it with software with a microcontroller. The best microcontroller for this app for you will be the PICAXE (http://www.microzed.com.au/). Using your own control of a fax might mean the project is easier than you thought BTW I'm in Brissy and visit Noosa as often as possible, which isn't often enough
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Post by Dingo on Jun 30, 2006 22:26:17 GMT 10
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Post by Dingo on Jun 29, 2006 22:41:06 GMT 10
Welcome to robotics Firstly I'd recommend the book "Robot Builder's Bonanza 3rd Ed" - it will give you an introduction to all the sensors etc, although as with most robotics books, big slabs are on stuff you probably don't care about (lego, basic stamp etc). Secondly, do you know what type of microcontroller is in your "spider" (the website doesn't say). As for coding you are pretty much going to need the basics of C at some stage. If that is too much at first, have a look at the PICAXE microcontroller ( www.microzed.com.au ) - something like the 18X is great to start off with. This chips use BASIC so they are really really easy to get started with. Later when you find them too slow and small, you'll want to play with C on something like an AVR ( www.avrfreaks.net ) If you need to purchase electronics and don't want to pay a fortune, check out www.futurlec.com and the Australian site, www.futurlec.com.au . This is the cheapest place by far for Austrlians, but it is shipped from Thailand so can take a while (like weeks) to get here, but it is so cheap you just order heaps and have extra on hand to not have to order in the future I have no idea if Mac is supported, I think it is for AVRs to an extent, I know Linux and Windows are for most things, so Mac should be too but I'd guess they will be a time, at least at first, when you'll want to use a PC to follow a tutorial or something like that. I try an keep all the useful links for Australian's here www.users.on.net/~symes/links_tree/links.htm That includes robots, electronics, supplies etc etc. As for having your spider navigate your home intelligently (ie not just bumping into things randomly) will take a few steps. Like everything, baby steps are needed in this area. A lot of people start with "line following" robots - ie ones that follow a line of masking tape etc - Googling "line following" should give a bunch of hits. After this, people then step up gradually. As far as I can tell, your lack of electrical experience will be where you will want to devote your research at first - see the me links page above for some guides - also check out your library for any of the "intro to electronics" books etc. Trust me, it'll be fun and it will be frustrating but overall it will be a great experience getting the circuits working. BTW, where in Australia are you? I think we have most places covered here, maybe a local on the boards can point you to some good local stores etc. Anyway, welcome and enjoy, and keep Googling and asking questions and everything should be revealed to you
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Post by Dingo on Feb 5, 2006 23:03:42 GMT 10
First, warning - don't plug it into 12V unless you are sure it is expecting it (most things like this will expect 5V or less - more than this kills them)
Ok, do you have a number or part description for the serial LCD you have? (i.e. where did you get it and did it comewith a data sheet).
If it is a serial LCD module then all you should have to connect is Ground, 5V power and the Ser serial line. (Tx from the Mega32).
Btw it might be a good idea to run the rs232 through a max232 IC or similar to get the voltage levels right - this is especially true if the cable you are running to the LCD is over 1 meter in length.
Also what sort of thing are you doing with this setup? and is there anything special or unusual about it (backlight, wireless etc).
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