The Part List
Here is a list of all the parts i needed to build the robot (excluding basic tools).
| Part Description | Quantity | How much I paid | Where I got it | Extra Info |
| Nema 17 size stepper motor | 2 | £14 each | Rapid Components | |
| Sharp IR GP2D120 | 2 | £12 each | Active Robots | Make sure you get the cable with the JST connector. Some companies ship the sensors without. |
| Microchip PIC18F4525 microcontroller | 1 | Free Sample | Microchip Samples |
You'll need an obscure email address to register. I used one from tranceaddict.net. This is a great source of chips, but don't abuse it. Only get what you need. |
| Connectors Sockets |
4x3-way 1x5-way crimp terminals |
~£2 | CPC Farnell | You can buy crimping tools to make the cable making process easier. I managed with just pliers but it was sometimes quite unreliable. Check out the connector tutorial. |
| Connector Pins |
1x5-way 4x3-way 2x6-way |
~£2 | CPC Farnell | |
| ULN2803 chip | 1 | £1 | CPC Farnell | Array of 8 transistors for driving the motors. |
| 7-segment LED Display |
1 |
£1 |
CPC Farnell |
A tutorial for these is here. |
| 7805 5V Voltage Regulator |
1 |
50p |
CPC Farnell |
|
| Resistors |
1 x 10K 2 x 100R |
Nearly nothing |
I had them allready. |
If you don't already have resistors and capacitors, you can find them at any hobby electronics store. |
| Capacitor |
1 x 1mF10V 1 x 470uF16V 2 x 22pF |
Nearly nothing |
I allready had them. |
|
| 10MHz Crystal |
£1 |
CPC Farnell |
||
| Stripboard (Veroboard) |
117x368mm |
£5 |
CPC Farnell |
|
| 5mm thick acrylic |
about 25x35 cm |
Not sure |
School |
If you can't find acrylic, there are many other types of material you can use. HDPE, plexiglass, maybe even MDF. |
Making the main microcontroller board
UNFINISHED******************************