Introduction
My name is Jeffrey and I was born in china. I came to America at the age of 12. America is a new world to me, like I was just born. I first attended Is281 for middle school. I now attend IHSL.
Final Blog
I over came many frustration and challenge at this point. At the end all of the effort was worth it. It is a simple project, but what took most of my time was negligible mistakes I made.
I made a mistake called disintegration, I took out the screws and disconnected the remote control board. Then I soldered the RCB board to replace the remote control board. I then connected 4 motor wires and soldered triple A batteries holder wires. After all of this, I decide to test this out. I soon realized that it requires black tape since the robot only follows black lines. When I first made my experiment on the ground, I knew there was something wrong with the previous code that came with the board, and the LED Light is not detecting anything. So I download code from a few helpful links, and I pulled the sensor more close to the ground so it won’t interfere with surrounding objects.
It was working for while, but the big problem was found with the wires. The original wire was super tiny — it keep breaking and getting shorter. Eventually it took a lot of time to fix the wire. One of the staff members, Anthony, helped me make a bigger wire and better connection. After all, I name my the spider after me, it could follow lines and avoid my hand.
Second Milestone
After I connected the wires and batteries, the next step was testing with the sensors. Then I had a problem finding the material, a black tap. The spider only walked randomly at one direction or just kept scanning. I thought it was something wrong with the code and I tested many of codes that were provided in my main project website. Later on when I finally got the black tape, the wires were getting loose so I had to fix them. Over all, I replaced the previous code with the new code, and adjusted the distance of the I.R sensor between the floor and the controlling board. I also made a cover of spider, so the wire and the I.R sensor were hidden nicely. For the final step, I will design a track for the spider, and I’m thinking of creating a track with the theme of time.Jeff L’s Hexbug Milestone 2
Mile Stone first
EMGRobotics is the reborn of the spider hexbug, it can follow lines and aviod objects by replacing the remote control board with the IRsensor board, or robotic control board RCB. The RCB is programable by TIlaunchpad — you can add a couple sensors, and RC servos. The EMGRobotics use 2 AAA batteries, and 2 DC motors. It walk creepily and realistic, like a real spider. I learn to use TI launchpad, and what the pins do. I also understand more about robotics and programing. Even though, I always have few thing to satisfy; The program will only follow lines which I want to upgrade. The code should able avoid objects and be more sensitive to the black lines so it doesn’t spin around and look for days to find the line. I also want to add a random set so the spider spins other direction and is less robot-like. Currently, the appearance needs a little work. The wires are exposed. I want too add outer shell to cover to it.
Starter Project
The crawling Microbug, two open-chassis subminiature motor. In this project, you can adjust light sensitivity, making it possible to go to any light intensity you want. You can choose two walking settings, lag-walking or smooth-walking, and adjust the speed. The key component of this microbug, is the LDR(Special resistor). It gives resistance when there is no light, so the microbug will stop in total darkness. On the other hand, it gives more current when there is light. This is my first time making a mechanical robot. I learned the basic function of electronics, and how components are like the organelles in the cell that communicate and respond. It was difficult the first time, because the challenge was not just placing the diodes in the right spot, but trying to figure out why it malfunctioned. I did a lot of trouble shooting. It really takes time to learn bout engineering, and make something from your imagination, but you will be surprised how ecstatic you will feel when you make something, especially the first time. It’s like having your own child.
If you are interested in making Crawling Microbug, or other cool mechanics, feel free to check out the website: http://www.vellemanusa.com/products/list/?country=us&lang=enu&id=523008
Reflection
The first taste of engineering was like tasting something for the first time. Acid and sweet, it combines all kinds of happiness and frustration. I feel my mind empowered and know other parts of my self knowledge, patience and imagination. I was making a spider robot that can follow lines and detect objects. It was simple in first hand, only thing to consider was the polarity and two motors that you don’t want to mess up. It was all simple, but I didn’t realize a super small mistake can make me debug for a week to find out. Even if something seems small, sometime it has no connection at all, but they can be closely related which creates problem.
MY EXPERIENCE
If you consider to make a lines following spider robot. Here are few suggestion to keep in minds
1. Top and bottom motor are two separate motor, they need to be connect with specific spot at the RCB.
2.The wires are super delicate, they can be cut and broke easily, they don’t need to solder in order to attach to the motor.
3. Radio Controller(4 black jumper on the sides of the IRB is connected with the batteries power) do not modify them if you not using them. Otherwise the spider won’t move.
4. The original code may not work, download one from the website.
5. It can be black or white taps for the lines path. The light density is important, can’t be too dark or too light.
RCB
Schematic of Hexbug Spider
links consider：http://e2e.ti.com/group/microcontrollerprojects/m/msp430microcontrollerprojects/618528.aspx
http://buildsmartrobots.ning.com/group/source-code-for-projects
http://buildsmartrobots.ning.com/profiles/blogs/just-finished-making-my-hexbug-spider-line-following-hack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quDHhuEsxEg
Mechanical Diagram
High=1.5cm
Weight=7cm
radius= 3.5
Bill of Materials(BOM)
Hexbug(tm) Spider
Item # 1
Description A HexBug Spider robot that control my remote.
Vendor Radio Shack
Part Number
Qty 1
Cost $39.99
Link to Where to Purchase http://www.hexbug.com/mechanical/spider/
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MSP430G2553RCB
Item # 2
Description The robot that follow black line, self-control panel
Vendor
Qty 1
TI Microcontroller Part Number
Cost $17
Link to Where to Purchase
http://buildsmartrobots.ning.com/profiles/blogs/emgrobotics-low-cost-msp430g2553-robot-controller-with-dual-dc-mo
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integrated IR sensor
Item # 3
Description Optical Sensor Development Tools Stereo Drvr/Mic Amp/ 100mA Linear Reg
Vendor Mouser
Part Number 90-44000#PM1
Qty 1
Cost $20.27
Link to Where to Purchase
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Maxim-Integrated/MAX44000PMB1/?qs=UmMSjoC1xtHYDUYHF06bsA%3D%3D&gclid=CKOrtPD27rcCFYKd4AodpkkAow
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TI Launchpad
Item #4
Description Development Boards & Kits – MSP430 MSP430 Value Line LaunchPad Dev Kit
Vendor Mouser
Part Number 595-MSP-EXP430G2
Qty 1
Cost $10.99
Link to Where to Purchase
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Texas-Instruments/MSP-EXP430G2/qs=CLImetaeaXWH2pYG%252bA%252b4Vw%3D%3D&gclid=CNy-tJ357rcCFVSk4AodjFoAZg
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Pliers http://www.pebay.com/itm/Crescent-PS20509C-Pro-Series-Linesman-Compound-Action-Cutting-Pliers-9-Inch-/390522036676?pt=Pliers&hash=item5aeced61c4
Wire Nipper
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-5-Diagonal-Cutter-55-HRC-Straight-Jaw-Micro-Beading-Pliers-Wire-Nipper-LR06-/300903427967?pt=Pliers&hash=item460f3def7f
45in1 Torx Precision Screw Driver Cell Phone Repair Tool Set Mobile Flexible Kit
http://www.ebay.com/itm/45in1-Torx-Precision-Screw-Driver-Cell-Phone-Repair-Tool-Set-Mobile-Flexible-Kit-/300912739667?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460fcc0553
soldering iron http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-60W-IRON-SOLDERING-GUN-Electric-Welding-Solder-110V-120V-Home-Shop-Gun-/230804030251?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35bcfe032b
Code
http://pastebin.com/96Pm9XLy
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