How-to: Connecting a 7-segment LED to the Arduino
Jeff posted this nice how-to about wiring up a 7-Segment LED to an Arduino. His code uses the ‘map()’ function to scale the sensor data and display it’s relative value on the 7-Segment display.
Robotics
Making a robot can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s the perfect combination of creativity, engineering and problem solving. However, if you’re just getting started in robotics, it can also be overwhelming. To make things easier for those who are just starting out, we’ve put together some tips and tricks to help makers bring robots to life! From the basics of assembling your robot to software implementation, these pointers will give you everything you need to get started on your robotic adventure!
Servo mount for Ping)))
A simple 3D printed servo mount to house the Parallax Ping))) sensor. Servo Mount for Sonar Sensor
Solarbotics Ardweeny
Our finely-wired friends at Solarbotics have released their latest Arduino kit, the Ardweeny, “the smallest Arduino you can build yourself with through-hole components.” I love the backpack PCB concept which puts the support electronics for the ATmega328 chip on a board that stacks on top of the chip and is soldered to the chip’s pins. […]
Breaking the 5 second Micromouse barrier (Video)
Wow! Kato-san’s new TETRA micromouse robot totally confounded competitors with his innovative ‘out-of-the-box’ design and record setting times during the early matches. Unfortunately the lighting conditions, or other unknown factors, defeated TETRA during the final Expert Class event. Read more @ ROBOT DREAMS…
In the Maker Shed: Co-Robot kit
This little robot is tough! Run by a single motor, the Co-Robot kit walks with a decidedly “angry” pace. If he falls over, he is able to pick himself up and continue marching about thanks to an amazing gear mechanism. up again! An awesome design with an amazing gear mechanism, he will not quit!
2-axis printable shaftless linear actuator
I have written before about Thingiverse user fdavies’ ongoing project to produce a 3D-printer that requires no precision-ground shafting or bearings using printable hinged actuators based on the Sarrus linkage (Wikipedia). Why would you want to do that? Well, because precision shafting and bearings are currently beyond the abilities of most 3D printers, and if you can build the printer itself using printable substitutes for them, then you’re that much closer to a truly self-replicating home fab system. Keep it up, man!
Curious wire bending machine
This curious wire bending rig, built by Dorkbot Bristol members David Henshall and John Honniball, was reportedly seen designing unique snow flakes to the delight of visitors at the unCraftivism art show this past weekend. Utilizing a simple DC gearmotor and servo, the machine appears to be an experiment in generative manipulated wire forming.