book

Robot Builder's Bonanza, 4th Edition, 4th Edition

by Gordon McComb

April 2011

Intermediate to advanced

736 pages

23h 31m

English

McGraw-Hill Education TAB

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What the Adventure HoldsWhy Build Robots?The Building-Block ApproachLower Costs, Better BotsSkills You NeedDo It Yourself, Kits, or Ready-Made?Thinking Like a Robot Builder
Stationary versus Mobile RobotsAutonomous versus Teleoperated RobotsTethered versus Self-Contained RobotsSo, What’s a Robot, Anyway?The Body of the RobotLocomotion SystemsPower SystemsSensing DevicesOutput DevicesWhere the Word “Robot” Comes From

Local Electronics StoresOnline Electronics OutletsUsing FindChips.com to Locate PartsSpecialty Online Robotics RetailersHobby and Model StoresCraft StoresHardware and Home Improvement StoresSamples from Electronics ManufacturersFinding What You Need on the InternetShop Once, Shop SmartHaunting the Surplus StoreGetting Parts from Specialty StoresScavenging: Making Do with What You Already HaveGetting Organized
Project SafetyBattery SafetySoldering SafetyFire SafetyAvoiding Damage by Static DischargeWorking with House CurrentFirst AidUse Common Sense—and Enjoy Your Robot Hobby
Picking the Right Construction MaterialIn Review: Selecting the Right MaterialRobots from “Found” PartsBasic Tools for Constructing RobotsOptional ToolsHardware SuppliesSetting Up Shop
First Things First: Eye and Ear ProtectionPlan, Sketch, Measure, MarkDrilling Holes in ThingsCutting Things to SizeUsing Portable Power ToolsGetting Work Done Fast with Air Tools
Hardwood versus SoftwoodPlanks or PlyThe Woodcutter’s Art
Making the BaseBuilding and Attaching the MotorsBuilding and Mounting the WheelsAttaching the Ball CasterUsing the PlyBotVariations on a Theme
Main Kinds of Plastics for BotsBest Plastics for RoboticsWhere to Buy PlasticThe Ins and Outs of Rigid Expanded PVCHow to Cut PlasticHow to Drill PlasticMaking Plastic BasesMaking Plastic FramesHow to Bend and Form PlasticHow to Smooth the Edges of PlasticHow to Glue PlasticUsing Hot Glue with PlasticsHow to Paint PlasticsHousehold Plastics for Bot Constructions
Making the BaseAttaching the MotorsFitting the WheelsAttaching the Ball CasterUsing the PlastoBotAltering the PlastoBot Design
All About Metal for RobotsMeasuring the Thickness of MetalWhat’s This about Heat Treatments?Where to Get Metal for RobotsRecap of Metals for RoboticsMetal from Your Home Improvement StoreMetal from Craft and Hobby StoresThe Metalsmith’s Art
Making the BaseUsing the TinBot
Screws, Nuts, and Other FastenersBracketsSelecting and Using Adhesives
Selecting Lightweight Robot MaterialsCutting and Drilling Substrate SheetsRapid Construction with Semipermanent Fasteners
Making Drilling and Cutting LayoutsFile Formats for Vector GraphicsUsing Laser-Cutting ServicesProducing “Quick-Turn” Metal and Plastic Prototypes
Erector SetsFischertechnikK’NEXOther Construction Sets to TryConstruction with Snap-Together ComponentsSpecialty Toys for Robot HackingMaking Robots from Converted Toy Vehicles
A Dozen Ideas to Get You StartedExperimenting with “No-Cut” Metal Platform DesignsUsing Wood and Plastic SamplesKeep Your Eyes Peeled and Your Tape Measure Out
An Overview of Power SourcesBatteries for Your RobotsUnderstanding Battery RatingsRecharging BatteriesRobot Batteries at a GlanceCommon Battery SizesIncreasing Battery Ratings
Power and Battery Circuit SymbolsUsing a Premade Battery PackMaking Your Own Rechargeable Battery PackUsing Battery Cells in a Battery HolderBest Battery Placement PracticesWiring Batteries to Your RobotPreventing Reverse Battery PolarityOn the Web: How to Solder a Barrel Plug onto a Battery Holder or DC Wall TransformerAdding Fuse ProtectionProviding Multiple VoltagesRegulating VoltageDealing with Power BrownoutsBattery Voltage Monitors
Choosing a Locomotion SystemLocomotion Using WheelsLocomotion Using TracksLocomotion Using LegsLocomotion Using Other MethodsOn the Web: Managing the Weight of Your Robot
AC or DC Motor?Continuous or Stepping Motor?Servo MotorsMotor SpecsTesting Current Draw of a MotorDealing with Voltage DropsAvoiding Electrical Noise
The Fundamentals of DC MotorsReviewing DC Motor RatingsControlling a DC MotorMotor Control by SwitchMotor Control by RelayMotor Control by Bipolar TransistorMotor Control by Power MOSFET TransistorMotor Control by Bridge ModuleControlling the Speed of a DC MotorBonus Projects: Interfacing to Motor Bridge Modules
How R/C Servos WorkControl Signals for R/C ServosThe Role of the PotentiometerSpecial-Purpose Servo Types and SizesGear Trains and Power DrivesOutput Shaft Bushings and BearingsTypical Servo SpecsConnector Styles and WiringAnalog Versus Digital ServosElectronics for Controlling a ServoUsing Continuously Rotating ServosModifying a Standard Servo for Continuous RotationUsing Servo Motors for Sensor Turrets
Mounting DC MotorsMounting and Aligning Motors with Aluminum ChannelMounting R/C ServosMounting Drivetrain Components to ShaftsMounting Wheels to DC Gear MotorsMounting Wheels to R/C ServosAttaching Mechanical Linkages to ServosDrivetrain Components for RoboticsUsing Rigid Flexible CouplersWorking with Different Shaft TypesEverything You Always Wanted to Know about Gears
Shape Memory Alloy Comes to RoboticsBasics of Shape Memory AlloyUsing Shape Memory AlloyOperating SMA Using a MicrocontrollerExperimenting with SMA MechanismsUsing Ready-Made SMA Mechanisms
Basic Design Principles of Rolling RobotsTwo-Motor BasicBotBonus Project: Double-Decker RoverBotBuilding 4WD RobotsBuilding Tank-Style Robots
An Overview of Leggy RobotsSelecting the Best Construction MaterialScratch Build or Parts KitsLeg PowerWalking Gaits for Legged RobotsBuild a 3-Servo HexapodCreating X-Y Servo JointsBonus Project: Build a 12-Servo Hexapod
The Human ArmDegrees of Freedom in a Typical Robotic ArmArm TypesActuation TechniquesBuild a Robotic WristBuild a Functional Revolute Coordinate ArmBuild a Robotic Arm from a Kit
Concept of the Basic GripperTwo-Pincher GripperTool Clamp GripperOn the Web: More Gripper Plans
Tools for Electronics You Should HaveMaking Electronic Circuits—the BasicsUnderstanding Wires and WiringHow to SolderUsing Headers and ConnectorsUsing Clip-on JumpersGood Design PrinciplesRoHS Demystified
But First, a Word about Electronics SymbolsFixed ResistorsPotentiometersCapacitorsDiodesLight-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)TransistorsIntegrated CircuitsSwitchesRelays. . . And the RestOn the Web: Stocking Up on Parts
Anatomy of a Solderless BreadboardSteps in Constructing a Solderless Breadboard CircuitMaking Long-Lasting Solderless CircuitsMounting the Breadboard to Your RobotTips for Using a Solderless Breadboard
Overview of Your Primary Circuit Board OptionsClean It First!Making Permanent Circuits on Solder BreadboardsUsing Point-to-Point Perforated Board ConstructionUsing Predrilled StripboardsCreating Electronic Circuit Boards with PCB CADProducing Arduino-Specific Boards with FritzingOn the Web: Etching Your Own Printed Circuit BoardUsing Custom Prototyping BoardsMaking Semipermanent Circuits with Wire WrappingEffective Use of Plug-in Headers
Brains for the BrawnIgor, Pull the Switch!Brains from Discrete ComponentsProgrammed BrainsOf Inputs and Outputs
All about Microcontroller CategoriesMicrocontroller Shapes and SizesUnder the Hood of the Typical Microcontroller ChipMicrocontroller ProgrammersAll about Microcontroller Speed
Important Programming ConceptsUnderstanding Data TypesLucky Seven Most Common Programming StatementsVariables, Expressions, and OperatorsOn the Web: More Programming Fundamentals
Arduino under the HoodMany Variations on a ThemeReady Expansion via ShieldsUSB Connection and PowerArduino Pin MappingProgramming the ArduinoProgramming for RobotsUsing ServosCreating Your Own FunctionsOn the Web: Operating Two ServosFlow Control StructuresUsing the Serial Monitor WindowSome Common Robotic FunctionsUsing Switches and Other Digital InputsInterfacing to DC Motors
Understanding the PICAXE FamilyProgramming the PICAXECore Language SyntaxPICAXE Functions for RoboticsExample: Controlling an RC Servo with the PICAXEExample: Reading Buttons and Controlling Outputs
Inside the BASIC StampStamp Alone or Developer’s KitPhysical Layout of the BS2Hooking Up: Connecting the BASIC Stamp to a PCUnderstanding and Using PBasicInterfacing Switches and Other Digital InputsInterfacing DC Motors to the BASIC StampInterfacing RC Servo Motors to the BASIC StampAdditions in PBasic 2.5
Sensors as InputsMotors and Other OutputsInput and Output ArchitecturesInterfacing OutputsInterfacing Digital InputsInterfacing Analog InputConnecting with USBUsing Analog-to-Digital ConversionUsing Digital-to-Analog ConversionExpanding Available I/O LinesUnderstanding Port ChangingOn the Web: Understanding Bitwise Port Programming
Build a Joystick “Teaching Pendant”Commanding a Robot with Infrared Remote ControlOn the Web: Control by Radio SignalBroadcasting Video
Understanding TouchMechanical SwitchUsing a Button Debounce CircuitDebouncing Switches in SoftwareProgramming for Bumper ContactsMechanical Pressure SensorsExperimenting with Piezoelectric Touch SensorsExperimenting with Piezo FilmOn the Web: Build a Piezo Bumper BarOther Types of “Touch” Sensors
Design OverviewSimple Infrared Light Proximity SensorModulated Infrared Proximity DetectorInfrared Distance MeasurementOn the Web: Passive Infrared DetectionUltrasonic Distance Measurement
Simple Sensors for Robotic EyesBuilding a One-Cell Cyclops EyeBuilding a Multiple-Cell Robotic EyeUsing Lenses and Filters with Light-Sensitive SensorsVideo Vision Systems: An Introduction
Tracing a Predefined Path: Line FollowingWall FollowingOdometry: Calculating Your Robot’s Distance of TravelCompass BearingsExperimenting with Tilt and Gravity SensorsMore Navigational Systems for Robots
Preprogrammed Sound ModulesCommercial Electronic Sound Effects KitsMaking Sirens and Other Warning SoundsUsing a Microcontroller to Produce Sound and MusicUsing Audio AmplifiersSound and Music Playback with a MicrocontrollerSpeech Synthesis: Getting Your Robot to TalkListening for SoundOn the Web: More Sound Projects
Using LEDs and LED Displays for FeedbackFeedback via Simple SoundsUsing LCD PanelsRobot-Human Interaction with Lighting Effects
Flame DetectionSmoke DetectionDetecting Dangerous GasHeat SensingRobotic Firefighting ContestsFinally, Go Out and Do!
You’ll Find . . .Backup Support SiteSources for Special Parts, Web Sites
RoboticsElectronicsHobbyForums and BlogsMore on the Web!
Decimal FractionsDrill Bit and Tap Sizes—ImperialDrill Bit and Tap Sizes—MetricNumbered and Fractional Inch Drill Bit ComparisonFasteners: Standard (Imperial) Threads at a GlanceComparison of Decimal Inch, Fractional Inch, Mil, and GaugeMore on the Web!
FormulasAbbreviationsLetter Symbols Used in ElectronicsNumbering Units in ElectronicsThe Six Most Common Units of Measure in ElectronicsResistor Color CodingWire Gauge

Overview

The Bestselling Robotics Book--Now with New Projects and Online Tools!

"Amazing...should be required reading for any budding robot builder!" -GeekDad, Wired.com

Have fun while learning how to design, construct, and use small robots! This richly illustrated guide offers everything you need to know to construct sophisticated, fully autonomous robots that can be programmed from your computer. Fully updated with the latest technologies and techniques, Robot Builder's Bonanza, Fourth Edition includes step-by-step plans that take you from building basic motorized platforms to giving the machine a brain--and teaching it to walk, talk, and obey commands.

This robot builder's paradise is packed with more than 100 affordable projects, including 10 completely new robot designs. The projects are modular and can be combined to create a variety of highly intelligent and workable robots of all shapes and sizes. Mix and match the projects to develop your own unique creations. The only limit is your imagination!

Robot Builder's Bonanza, Fourth Edition covers:

Parts, materials, and tools
Building motorized wooden, plastic, and metal platforms
Rapid prototyping methods
Drafting bots with computer-aided design
Constructing high-tech robots from toys
Building bots from found parts
Power, motors, and locomotion
Robots with wheels, tracks, and legs
Constructing robotic arms and grippers
Robot electronics and circuit making
Computers and electronic control
Microcontrollers--Arduino, PICAXE, and the BASIC stamp
Remote control systems
Sensors, navigation, and visual feedback
Robot vision via proximity, light, and distance

New! FREE online content at:
www.robotoid.com

My First Robot tutorial lessons
Project parts finder
Animated, interactive learning tools
How-to videos, robot e-plans, bonus articles, links, and more

Plus, go to:
www.mhprofessional.com/rbb4 for:

Downloadable programs
RBB app notes
Bonus chapters

Make Great Stuff!
TAB, an imprint of McGraw-Hill Professional, is a leading publisher of DIY technology books for makers, hackers, and electronics hobbyists.