About Me
Hi my name is Nick T. I’m a rising senior at Archbishop Riordan High School. I was told my college counselor to apply for BlueStamp Engineering, so that I may get more insight on mechanical engineering. Since I’ve been at BlueStamp I have learned many things like learning how to solder, desolder, and work a little bit with codes. My starter project is the Gram Piano, and my main project is the Arduino RC Tank.
Main Project: Arduino RC Tank
Basic Instructions:
Since this session is my first time being in the BlueStamp program, I learned how to use some codes to work a blinking LED on the Arduino Leonardo. After I got the LED to work I messed around with changing the delay time between when it turns on and off. My next steps after constructing the chassis is to mount the Arduino Leonardo to the Tamiya Universal Plate and put the Motor Shield on the Arduino Leonardo. Afterwards I would attach the wires to the Leonardo and the Motor Shield. Once I have mounted the Arduino Leonardo and the Motor Shield to the Tamiya Universal Plate, the next step is to attach the wireless dongle to the back for the chassis. After that I should be able to control the Arduino RC Tank. The next steps I need to take to is to finish connecting the controller to the Arduino Leonardo and then put everything on the chassis.
Schematics:
Arduino Uno Schematics
Arduino Motor Shield
Bill of Materials:
| Tamiya 70168 Double Gearbox L/R Independ 4-Speed | Amazon | 1 | $11.78 | $12.99 | http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C8F802/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=paulbleischco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000C8F802 | ||||
| Tamiya Track and Wheel Set TAM70100 | Amazon | 1 | $10.50 | $10.50 | http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00061HHRC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=paulbleischco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00061HHRC | ||||
| Tamiya Universal Plate TAM70098 | Amazon | 1 | $7.89 | $7.89 | http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00061HHR2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=paulbleischco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00061HHR2 | ||||
| Arduino Leonardo | Sparkfun | 1 | $24.95 | $24.95 | https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11286 | ||||
| Arduino Motor Shield V3 | RobotShop | 1 | $22.49 | $22.49 | http://www.robotshop.com/en/arduino-motor-shield-v3.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjw4qqrBRDE2K_z7Pbvjo8BEiQA39AImfrfhEUy9koKkf3k7RDj1MWbIhIvruhCMJfGBv0dod8aApWI8P8HAQ | ||||
| Sony PS2 Wireless Controller 2.4G | Tmart | 1 | $18.99 | $18.99 | http://www.tmart.com/2.4GHZ-RF-Wireless-Cordless-Double-Shock-Controller-for-Sony-PS2_p100955.html | ||||
| USB Micro-B Cable | Sparkfun | 1 | $1.95 | $3.95 | https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13244 | ||||
| Battery Holder 4xAA with Cover and Switch | SparkFun | 1 | $1.95 | $1.95 | https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12083 |
MileStone #1
My first milestone is to establish a connection between the PS2 Controller, and the Arduino Leonardo. I had to do some troubleshooting with my computer, and the Arduino Motor Shield since they weren’t compatible with each other. I had to ask a lot of questions since this was my first time. After some help it was a piece of cake job.
Milestone #2
My second milestone is getting the gearbox to work with the Motor Shield. I had to using coding to get the two motors to simultaneously work. To be able to get them to work I had to code the two motors a certain way. In the video it showed how the motors were on and were moving in different directions. Later on I was able to program the motors so that they could move in either direction. Afterwards I was able to get the controller to work together with the RC Motors.
Starter Project: SparkFun Gram Piano
My starter project was the Gram Piano. What I used to make the Gram Piano was 1 Gram Piano PCB, 1 PCB Speaker, 1 ATMega328P AVR Microcontroller, 1 Mini Power Switch, 1 Mini Push Button, 1 10k Ohm Trimpot, 1 6-pin Right-Angle Header, 2 330 Ohm Resistor, 2 10k Ohm Resistor, 2 5mm LED – Red, 2 AA Battery, 4 AA Battery Holder, 4 0.1uF Capacitor, 4 3/8″ 4-40 Phillips Screw, 4 3/8″ 4-40 Nylon Standoff,13 2M Ohm Resistor. My Starter Project had highs and lows. A high is that the tune that would automatically play would make sound, and my low is that the keys on the mini piano were not working.
