Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: ikenna on December 03, 2009, 05:24:19 PM

Title: Alternative for servo on the $50 robot
Post by: ikenna on December 03, 2009, 05:24:19 PM

Pls is there anybody out there who knows any alternative for servos cos i can't find any servos around. I am thinking of using DC motors but I have no idea on how to connect it to the MCU and i am not sure of the exact type of DC motor in terms of voltage capacity. I need to know if anybody have tried it before.

Title: Re: Alternative for servo on the $50 robot
Post by: Admin on December 03, 2009, 11:11:22 PM

 ;D

http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_faq.shtml#servo_vs_motor (http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_faq.shtml#servo_vs_motor)
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_faq.shtml#servo_motor (http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_faq.shtml#servo_motor)
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_faq.shtml#motor_control (http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_faq.shtml#motor_control)

Title: Re: Alternative for servo on the $50 robot
Post by: GWER57 on December 07, 2009, 08:56:23 AM

I would highly reccomend using DC motors. They are faster, stronger, cheaper, and more scalable (can be used on large robots as well as small ones).
Just make sure you get a gearhead motor as the gears slow down the motor to a reasonable speed and greatly improve torque.

All you need to control it is an h-bridge which can be made out of a few transistors or you can buy an ic :). You can also buy modules that allow different control methods (serial, analog voltage, pwm) but these tend to cost in the 20 to 50 dollar range. :P

Title: Re: Alternative for servo on the $50 robot
Post by: chelmi on December 07, 2009, 10:34:15 AM

http://dealextreme.com/ (http://dealextreme.com/) has some servos, shipping is free !