Merry Christmas Mad Scientist
This document frame was a christmas gift from my cousin Laura, and will soon house different 8.5×11 than the one below. But until then, it is home to a Christmas gift from Dave, Holly’s dad.
I redeemed this gift certificate about a week ago and something magical happened. I found a reason to put a lot of pictures into my blog post. The box arrived today while I was out, so Holly opened it and this is what she found:
Any guesses? It should be noted here that I have searched the internet for parts just like this for a couple years now. All the ones that have been offered were either too weak/small/cheap, or too large/expensive. I’ve tried to think of a way to make them myself, all to no avail. And then, on my favorite robot supply website, I saw a little flashing red “NEW” next to an icon depicting these bad boys. got ‘em.
It gets better…. see the plastic parts go together in like so manner:
And then, when you least expect it…
they go together some more.
YUP! Tank tread. And when you add a pinch of misc. robot parts you get the the makings for a cool toy.
The bulk of the gift was this dual channel motor controller circuit board. This takes several control signal inputs and translates that to motor power output. It can take an analogue input (potentiometer, 0-5V, pictured), PWM signal (square wave from an RC reciever), or commands through a serial data line (micro-processor or computer). It can mix channels for differential drive output, so basically controlling a tank-style drive system, and it also has a bonus motor output, and a few other bells and whistles. It is pretty much the absolute minimum needed to control the motors on a tank-bot. I’ve built a tank style robot before (The Claw) but due to its rubber tread, it gets derailed on carpet which is no fun. These plastic tank tread are great on carpet. I will experiment with studding them with hex bolts for better traction. I also realized after assembling the tread that I will need more. They are too small, and I would like to give them geometry similar to The Claw, in order to climb obstacles. I’ve got all the electronics for a very fabulous robot, and now I’ve got a key piece of hardware. I will figure out how to make aluminum hubs for the tank so I don’t have to keep buying plastic ones, and I can use them for idler wheels.
Thanks Dave!
Here’s a picture of The Claw for reference.
Side shot
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:12 am
Hi Son, You posted this on your sister’s birthday, how sweet
Got to admit, I had not clue what the parts were! does look very cool…I think your kids will love all you toys if you ever let them play with them. I can just hear it “come on dad, let us play with your toys….whine…we let you play with ours!” (and I remembered the claw even without the pictures) Love you, Mom
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:12 am
Hi Son, You posted this on your sister’s birthday, how sweet
Got to admit, I had no clue what the parts were! does look very cool…I think your kids will love all you toys if you ever let them play with them. I can just hear it “come on dad, let us play with your toys….whine…we let you play with ours!” (and I remembered the claw even without the pictures) Love you, Mom
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:08 pm
I fully intend to make toys for the kids. I have to be careful, they may not be nerdy by nature (that sounds like a Weird Al song). I think robots are cool, but robotics at too young an age might not be healthy.