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Chapter 2: Homemade Motor Couplers and Errors to Avoid
Attaching a motor to a wheel can be more difficult than you might think. This chapter
presents an alternate technique (step-by-step instructions follow in Chapters 3 and 4)
from the telescoping-tubing technique presented in the first book.
This chapter contains photographs of clear (acrylic) couplers to show off the inner
details. This is especially useful on couplers that have common mistakes. Following each
problematic coupler is a photograph of how an attached wheel would then rotate.
Chapter 3: Making a Fixture and Drilling Solid Rods
One of the most frustrating machining problems is trying to drill a hole exactly in the
center of a round piece, such as a rod. This chapter describes one technique that provides
excellent results.
This chapter includes a checklist for selecting a drill for machining aluminum or plastic.
An explanation is provided for why you should create a fixture and the benefits of an X-Y
table (found on milling machines but can be added to a drill press).
Chapter 4: Tapping Holes and Selecting Setscrews
This chapter describes three differed tap styles for making threads in holes (so that a
machine screw can be inserted). In particular, this chapter explains why you might choose
one tap style over another.
The solid-rod coupler project started in Chapter 2 is finished here.
Chapter 5: A Motor Inside of a Wheel
Many of the best sumo robots have wide wheels with motors installed inside of them. This
places the largest mass (the motors) low to the ground to make it difficult for an
opponent to tip the robot over. This chapter describes one method for building motors into
wheel hubs, while still permitting them to be easily removed for servicing.
This chapter has a lot of interesting machining tips (mating parts, when to use an
unthreaded hole, Silver & Deming drills). In fact, this chapter shows how to make your
own wheels, if you so desire.
Chapter 6: Standards for Electronic Experiments
This is a transitional chapter which tells you how to read the schematics in the book,
provides suggestions on bench power supplies, and debates the inevitable changeover to
surface-mount technology. (By the way, all of modules in this book are based on
through-hole parts, which are easier for the hobbyist to use.)
Chapter 7: Linear Voltage-Regulated Power Supply
Nearly every robot needs a regulated supply of power. This chapter begins with a really
simple +5V power supply circuit based on the classic 7805. The circuit is improved with
reverse-battery protection via a diode, followed by a more voltage-efficient solution that
also only requires one component.
A few pin-compatible low-dropout versions of the 7805 are swapped into the power supply
circuit and the performance is then compared.
Chapter 8: Robot Power Supply Improvements
Unlike some other electronic devices, robots can place extra strain on their power
supplies. This chapter beefs up the power-supply circuit presented in Chapter 7, by adding
bulk capacitors, regulated voltage protection (zener diode), overcurrent protection
(resettable fuse or PPTC), rapid turn off (capacitor discharging through a high-wattage
resistor), and noise reduction (short leads and voodoo capacitors). You may choose to
implement none, some, or all of these techniques on your next robot.
This chapter looks at capacitors in great detail (Chapter 11 also includes some tips). In
particular, proper working voltage (WV), placement, and sizing are discussed to provide
the longest practical life span.
Chapter 9: Motor Drivers - Bipolar
This chapter begins by demonstrating the four modes (clockwise, counterclockwise, coast,
and brake) available in a standard DC motor. Motor driver circuits are built step-by-step
from the most simple (single transistor) all the way up to the classic H-bridge.
This chapter mainly focuses on bipolar transistors, such as the 2222 and 2907. The
benefits of the popular 4424 and 4427 interface chips are described when the chapter
branches into interfacing the motor drivers to logic chips and microcontrollers.
Chapter 10: Power MOSFET Motor Drivers
The MOSFET Motor Driver chapter begins by recreating the bipolar motor driver circuits
from Chapter 9, but with power MOSFETs instead. This covers pull-up and pull-down
resistors, shoot through, and body diodes versus discrete Schottky diodes.
This chapter includes the key criteria for selecting a MOSFET. A lot of attention is
focused on resistance, including paralleling MOSFETs for improved performance.
(Steady-state Parallel MOSFETs self-balance due to their thermal coefficient, as opposed
to bipolar transistors that can experience thermal runaway. Find out what that means in
this chapter.)
The chapter concludes by describing some popular motor driver chips, which are more
compact and feature rich than motor drivers you can build by hand. The motor drivers are
then compared in head-to-head performance testing for powering miniature DC motors.
How good is the MC33887 compared to a discrete 2222/2907 H-bridge, 4427, or discrete
HEXFET H-bridge? What's the deal with the SN754410?
Chapter 11: Infrared Detector
The Panasonic PNA4602M 38 kHz infrared detector is very popular in the robotics community,
especially in sumo robots. The responsiveness of the detector is analyzed along with a
simple method of testing it (and any other 38 kHz detector, like those made by Sharp).
This chapter steps you through making a complete dual emitter, detector, and bicolor
indicator circuit based around a common logic chip. You can use this stand-alone detector
on your robot for detecting walls, obstacles, or even opponents.
Selection criteria for infrared emitters / infrared LEDs are listed, along with selection
criteria for timing and noise-reduction capacitors.
Chapter 12: Fine Tuning the Reflector Detector
This chapter finishes up the infrared reflector detection circuit. The chapter begins with
several techniques for tuning the 38 kilohertz square wave: by hand, using a multimeter
with a frequency mode, and with an oscilloscope.
Four alternatives are provided for avoiding side leakage in infrared emitters. Limitations
of infrared detection are revealed, including the effects of shapes, ambient lighting, and
materials.
Chapter 13: Roundabout Robot
The electronic modules and machining techniques presented thus far in the book can be
connected together to make Roundabout, a room-exploring robot. Detailed photographs of
Roundabout are shown from all angles. The circuitry and motions are described.
The particulars of machining Roundabout's robot body are described in the second half of
this chapter, including tips on using templates, machining multiple pieces at the same
time, and two methods of targeting a drill. A compact method of mounting motors side by
side is shown, along with choices on gearing up, gearing down, and idle power train
transfer.
This chapter also provides a couple of suggestions for making slides for the robot, and
when not to make the robot slide. During the building of Roundabout, a couple of mistakes
are caught and described in this chapter.
Chapter 14: Test Driving Roundabout
Before launching the robot, a series of tests are performed that are applicable to any
robot. These tests include a safe way to drain power and a simple way to measure current
usage.
The robot is then put through the paces. A low-tech approach to test-facility materials
reveals the robot is socially aware (okay, maybe not). Actually, a significant limitation
to having a brainless robot is discussed, along with why a round robot body may not be the
best shape.
Chapter 15: Microcontrollers
This book does not focus on one brand of microcontroller over another. Although a
particular microcontroller, (the 68HC908KX8), had to be selected for the upgrade of
Roundabout, this chapter describes the various features available in 8-bit
microcontrollers in a generic way. Selection criteria and a few recommendations are made,
but the examples in the book are generalized for use with any microcontroller you prefer.
This chapter explains the benefits of a microcontroller over an off-the-shelf logic chip
(including a potential improvement to implementing an infrared reflector detector). It
then describes the steps that you might go about to program a microcontroller and test it,
including a simple heartbeat indicator.
Chapter 16: Upgrading Roundabout with a Daughterboard
This chapter returns to working on Roundabout. In this case, upgrading the robot by adding
a microcontroller and other features. Ordinary 0.1" spaced boardmount sockets permit
the daughterboard to be snapped right on top of the motherboard. This technique is
applicable to any modular robot.
Also included in this chapter are tips on selecting machine screws, trimming and reheating
solder joints, screening out ambient lighting, debouncing inputs with both hardware and
software, and adding DIP switches.
Chapter 17: Floor Sensor Module
This chapter explains the purpose of the wavy lines and gap size of CdS (cadmium-sulfide)
photocells / photoresistors and why you can't tell the resistance by its cover. Schematics
and breadboard examples show the common ways of connecting photoresistors in a circuit.
The first section of this chapter should hopefully dispel the myth that photoresistors
provide "near linear" responsiveness. The actual mathematical formulas and how
they relate to a particular photoresistor's sensitivity are explained.
Two major weaknesses of photoresistors are divulged: large manufacturing variance and very
slow responsiveness. After reading this chapter, you'll avoid CdS photocells in your next
line-following robot champion.
There is a wonderful alternative to CdS photoresistors, the light-to-voltage converter IC.
It's easy to hook up and is available to sense white light or various colors (red, green,
or blue). This part is employed in making a floor sensor board that connects to
Roundabout. The shades and baffles on the board are lightweight, fairly simple to make,
and definitely improve performance.
The chapter ends with algorithms for implementing line-following and robot sumo on either
Roundabout or any other robot with similar modules.
Chapter 18: Robot Stew
The last chapter is where all the leftovers go. Yet, the wide variety of subjects make
this one of the most interesting and easy-to-read chapters.
The chapter begins with an LM386 audio amplifier circuit and its implementation. It is
used along with a PWM (pulse-width modulator) pin on the microcontroller to play music as
the robot drives around. Besides being fun, musical tones are a good debugging tool,
especially for a robot that lacks a text display. A method for transcribing and
programming music is included.
The next portion of this chapter describes a roomy upgrade to Roundabout's body. It
includes Teflon roller slides, integrated wheel slots, and colorful homemade spacers. But,
best of all, are the instructions for making quick, dependable, accurate motor mounts.
Two other motor mounts and another type of motor-to-LEGO coupler are detailed. Then it's
on to comparing four types of sensors on a solar robot. Which do you think worked best:
photoresistor eyes, metal-whisker obstacle detectors, a front-contact bumper switch, or an
undercarriage contact switch?
Roundabout goes video! Here's a simple way to add telepresence to
your robot...
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Chapter
1: Assembling a Modular Robot 