Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: dsheller on May 18, 2008, 11:07:19 PM

Title: Parts List... beginner in robotics
Post by: dsheller on May 18, 2008, 11:07:19 PM
I haven't built a robot, but am very interested, and I would like to know about quality parts that would be beneficial to keep on hand. I'm an electrical engineering student, so I already have a lot of the major devices necessary to build and analyze circuits... breadboard, oscilloscope, resistors, capacitors, etcetera. The only problem I have is that I don't know what I should be buying for building robots, I would like to order as much of it as possible from one place and minimize shipping costs. From research and some help from friends I have settled on an ATMega168 for my microcontroller, so I know that is one part I will definitely be buying. Along with that I am interested in the Sharp IR sensor, but not sure how many of those would be good to get, as I obviously haven't built a robot yet =/. If anyone has good suggestions for servos, motors, hbridge(s) / materials, along with the materials to build a programmer that would be great!

Thanks!
Title: Re: Parts List... beginner in robotics
Post by: Admin on May 24, 2008, 08:17:51 AM
I think you should just starting building a robot, and then just buy what you need for it. It seems like you are going into robotics for the long term, so buy quality stuff that will last a very long time.

Over time you will collect a lot of stuff. By your 3rd robot, you wouldn't need to buy a lot of stuff, just scrap the old bots . . .
Title: Re: Parts List... beginner in robotics
Post by: paulstreats on May 25, 2008, 01:59:01 PM
Something that I am definately going to suggest is to find a good drive system. Modified servos for smaller robot are fine but when you decide to build a largish robot this is what you will need complete with encoders etc...

Also a good stock of hdpe sheet. Theres nothing worse then wanting to start a new robot and finding that you have the electronics but nothing to build it with.

Also a good amount of servos (you can never have enough).

I like to have a few different value ranges of potentiometers too.(why calculate when you can just test  things out there and then. Not always an option but I prefer to adjust a pot then measure the value with a multimeter and then install a fixed resistor if necessarry)

a good voltage regulator is a must aswell
Title: Re: Parts List... beginner in robotics
Post by: Admin on May 25, 2008, 06:57:48 PM
Quote
a good voltage regulator is a must aswell
you mean multimeter? :P