Book description
The Bestselling Robotics Book--Now with New Projects and Online Tools!
"Amazing...should be required reading for any budding robot builder!" -GeekDad, Wired.comHave 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.
Table of contents
- Cover Page
- Robot Builder’s Bonanza
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Photo and Illustration Credits
- Introduction
-
Part 1—The Art and Science of Robot Building
- Chapter 1—Welcome to the Wonderful World of Robotics!
- Chapter 2—Anatomy of a Robot
-
Chapter 3—Getting Parts
- Local Electronics Stores
- Online Electronics Outlets
- Using FindChips.com to Locate Parts
- Specialty Online Robotics Retailers
- Hobby and Model Stores
- Craft Stores
- Hardware and Home Improvement Stores
- Samples from Electronics Manufacturers
- Finding What You Need on the Internet
- Shop Once, Shop Smart
- Haunting the Surplus Store
- Getting Parts from Specialty Stores
- Scavenging: Making Do with What You Already Have
- Getting Organized
-
Part 2—Robot Construction
- Chapter 4—Safety First (and Always)
- Chapter 5—Building Robot Bodies—the Basics
- Chapter 6—Mechanical Construction Techniques
- Chapter 7—Working with Wood
- Chapter 8—Build a Motorized Wooden Platform
-
Chapter 9—Working with Plastic
- Main Kinds of Plastics for Bots
- Best Plastics for Robotics
- Where to Buy Plastic
- The Ins and Outs of Rigid Expanded PVC
- How to Cut Plastic
- How to Drill Plastic
- Making Plastic Bases
- Making Plastic Frames
- How to Bend and Form Plastic
- How to Smooth the Edges of Plastic
- How to Glue Plastic
- Using Hot Glue with Plastics
- How to Paint Plastics
- Household Plastics for Bot Constructions
- Chapter 10—Build a Motorized Plastic Platform
- Chapter 11—Working with Metal
- Chapter 12—Build a Motorized Metal Platform
- Chapter 13—Assembly Techniques
- Chapter 14—Rapid Prototyping Methods
- Chapter 15—Drafting Bots with Computer-Aided Design
- Chapter 16—Constructing High-Tech Robots from Toys
- Chapter 17—Building Bots from Found Parts
-
Part 3—Power, Motors, and Locomotion
- Chapter 18—All about Batteries
-
Chapter 19—Robot Power Systems
- Power and Battery Circuit Symbols
- Using a Premade Battery Pack
- Making Your Own Rechargeable Battery Pack
- Using Battery Cells in a Battery Holder
- Best Battery Placement Practices
- Wiring Batteries to Your Robot
- Preventing Reverse Battery Polarity
- On the Web: How to Solder a Barrel Plug onto a Battery Holder or DC Wall Transformer
- Adding Fuse Protection
- Providing Multiple Voltages
- Regulating Voltage
- Dealing with Power Brownouts
- Battery Voltage Monitors
- Chapter 20—Moving Your Robot
- Chapter 21—Choosing the Right Motor
-
Chapter 22—Using DC Motors
- The Fundamentals of DC Motors
- Reviewing DC Motor Ratings
- Controlling a DC Motor
- Motor Control by Switch
- Motor Control by Relay
- Motor Control by Bipolar Transistor
- Motor Control by Power MOSFET Transistor
- Motor Control by Bridge Module
- Controlling the Speed of a DC Motor
- Bonus Projects: Interfacing to Motor Bridge Modules
-
Chapter 23—Using Servo Motors
- How R/C Servos Work
- Control Signals for R/C Servos
- The Role of the Potentiometer
- Special-Purpose Servo Types and Sizes
- Gear Trains and Power Drives
- Output Shaft Bushings and Bearings
- Typical Servo Specs
- Connector Styles and Wiring
- Analog Versus Digital Servos
- Electronics for Controlling a Servo
- Using Continuously Rotating Servos
- Modifying a Standard Servo for Continuous Rotation
- Using Servo Motors for Sensor Turrets
-
Chapter 24—Mounting Motors and Wheels
- Mounting DC Motors
- Mounting and Aligning Motors with Aluminum Channel
- Mounting R/C Servos
- Mounting Drivetrain Components to Shafts
- Mounting Wheels to DC Gear Motors
- Mounting Wheels to R/C Servos
- Attaching Mechanical Linkages to Servos
- Drivetrain Components for Robotics
- Using Rigid Flexible Couplers
- Working with Different Shaft Types
- Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Gears
- Chapter 25—Robot Movement with Shape Memory Alloy
- Part 4—Hands-on Robotic Projects
-
Part 5—Robot Electronics
- Chapter 30—Building Robot Electronics—the Basics
- Chapter 31—Common Electronic Components for Robotics
- Chapter 32—Using Solderless Breadboards
-
Chapter 33—Making Circuit Boards
- Overview of Your Primary Circuit Board Options
- Clean It First!
- Making Permanent Circuits on Solder Breadboards
- Using Point-to-Point Perforated Board Construction
- Using Predrilled Stripboards
- Creating Electronic Circuit Boards with PCB CAD
- Producing Arduino-Specific Boards with Fritzing
- On the Web: Etching Your Own Printed Circuit Board
- Using Custom Prototyping Boards
- Making Semipermanent Circuits with Wire Wrapping
- Effective Use of Plug-in Headers
- Part 6—Computers and Electronic Control
-
Part 7—Microcontroller Brains
-
Chapter 37—Using the Arduino
- Arduino under the Hood
- Many Variations on a Theme
- Ready Expansion via Shields
- USB Connection and Power
- Arduino Pin Mapping
- Programming the Arduino
- Programming for Robots
- Using Servos
- Creating Your Own Functions
- On the Web: Operating Two Servos
- Flow Control Structures
- Using the Serial Monitor Window
- Some Common Robotic Functions
- Using Switches and Other Digital Inputs
- Interfacing to DC Motors
- Chapter 38—Using the PICAXE
-
Chapter 39—Using the BASIC Stamp
- Inside the BASIC Stamp
- Stamp Alone or Developer’s Kit
- Physical Layout of the BS2
- Hooking Up: Connecting the BASIC Stamp to a PC
- Understanding and Using PBasic
- Interfacing Switches and Other Digital Inputs
- Interfacing DC Motors to the BASIC Stamp
- Interfacing RC Servo Motors to the BASIC Stamp
- Additions in PBasic 2.5
-
Chapter 40—Interfacing Hardware with Your Microcontroller or Computer
- Sensors as Inputs
- Motors and Other Outputs
- Input and Output Architectures
- Interfacing Outputs
- Interfacing Digital Inputs
- Interfacing Analog Input
- Connecting with USB
- Using Analog-to-Digital Conversion
- Using Digital-to-Analog Conversion
- Expanding Available I/O Lines
- Understanding Port Changing
- On the Web: Understanding Bitwise Port Programming
- Chapter 41—Remote Control Systems
-
Chapter 37—Using the Arduino
-
Part 8—Sensors, Navigation, and Feedback
-
Chapter 42—Adding the Sense of Touch
- Understanding Touch
- Mechanical Switch
- Using a Button Debounce Circuit
- Debouncing Switches in Software
- Programming for Bumper Contacts
- Mechanical Pressure Sensors
- Experimenting with Piezoelectric Touch Sensors
- Experimenting with Piezo Film
- On the Web: Build a Piezo Bumper Bar
- Other Types of “Touch” Sensors
- Chapter 43—Proximity and Distance Sensing
- Chapter 44—Robotic Eyes
- Chapter 45—Navigating Your Robot
-
Chapter 46—Making and Listening to Sound
- Preprogrammed Sound Modules
- Commercial Electronic Sound Effects Kits
- Making Sirens and Other Warning Sounds
- Using a Microcontroller to Produce Sound and Music
- Using Audio Amplifiers
- Sound and Music Playback with a Microcontroller
- Speech Synthesis: Getting Your Robot to Talk
- Listening for Sound
- On the Web: More Sound Projects
- Chapter 47—Interacting with Your Creation
- Chapter 48—Danger, Will Robinson!
-
Chapter 42—Adding the Sense of Touch
- Appendix A—RBB Online Support
- Appendix B—Internet Parts Sources
- Appendix C—Mechanical Reference
- Appendix D—Electronic Reference
- Index
Product information
- Title: Robot Builder's Bonanza, 4th Edition, 4th Edition
- Author(s):
- Release date: April 2011
- Publisher(s): McGraw-Hill Education TAB
- ISBN: 9780071750356
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