Society of Robots - Robot Forum

General Misc => Misc => Topic started by: h3ro on September 04, 2007, 01:11:03 PM

Title: Parts for the 50$ robot!
Post by: h3ro on September 04, 2007, 01:11:03 PM
I am planning to start the 50$ robot tutorial, but im having trouble with finding some of the parts.

I have found shops where I can get everything for a ok price (A bit more expensive then the links given on this page.) But I cant find the serial port programmer.
Is there anything magical about it, or is it just a serial cable with a different contact at one of the ends? If thats the case I can just get a normal on and "make" the programmer myself.

EDIT:
Its kind of expensive to order it in Norway, so I think I will try to order everything from US instead.

I also need some help with finding some parts. As shipment cost a lot (USA to Norway) I would very much like to order everything from one place.
Digi-key seams like the best place, but I cant find any photoresistors. I would also like to order a few "SHARP IR RANGE FINDER" as well for future project.
Could anyone help me find them on the digi-key.com page?

Thank you
Title: Re: Parts for the 50$ robot!
Post by: h3ro on September 05, 2007, 03:43:02 AM
Found the photoresistors and the sharrpIR, but the question about the programmer is still up.
Title: Re: Parts for the 50$ robot!
Post by: Admin on September 05, 2007, 07:06:57 AM
for the programmer, it depends on what features you want . . . but for a good programmer its not worth making.

the SparkFun.com AVR-PG1 is only $12, but it kinda sucks . . .
Title: Re: Parts for the 50$ robot!
Post by: h3ro on September 05, 2007, 07:59:58 AM
I think I will go for the cheap on. Not only because its cheap, but it looks dead easy to use. (At least it looks like that in the tutorial you have made.)

Here are all the parts I am going to order. Found out its better to order a bit extra stuff, as shipment is the most expensive. Also, the dollars is very low right now =D


Digi-key
------------------------------------------------------------------
1     2     ATMEGA8-16PU-ND     IC AVR MCU 8K 16MHZ 5V 28DIP            0     3.66000     $7.32
2    3    KA7805ETU-ND       IC REG POS 5V 1.0A 4% TOL TO-220    0    0.49000    $1.47
3    3    ED3128-ND       IC SOCKETS 28PIN MS TIN/TIN .300    0    1.58000    $4.74
4    10    565-1038-ND       CAP 220UF 16V ELECT SMG RAD         0    0.17500    $1.75
5    10    399-4454-1-ND       CAP .1UF 50V 20% CER AXIAL         0    0.11900    $1.19
6    3    WM6436-ND       CONN HEADER 36POS .100 VERT TIN    0    1.68000    $5.04
7    15    PPC340YCT-ND       RES 340 OHM METAL FILM .40W 1%         0    0.19000    $2.85
8    10    1.62KXBK-ND       RES 1.62K OHM 1/4W 1% METAL FILM    0    0.09800    $0.98
9    15    160-1034-ND       LED 3MM ALGAAS RED CLEAR         0    0.15500    $2.33
10    1    ATMEGA168-20PU-ND    IC AVR MCU 16K 20MHZ 28DIP         0    4.11000    $4.11
11    2    425-2046-ND       SENSOR DIST MEASUR 80CM ANLG         0    12.18000    $24.36
12    3    PDV-P5001       PHOTOCELL 8K-16K OHM 11MM         0    2.96000    $8.88

Total: 130$ (65$ shipping)

SparkFun!:
------------------------------------------------------------------
Perf Board - Small
                $2.95                 $5.90
Screws 4-40 Thread
                $1.95                 $1.95
Standoffs Metal Short
                $1.95                 $1.95
Standoffs Metal Long
                $2.95                 $2.95
2x5 AVR ICSP Male Header
                $1.50                 $3.00
Crystal 20MHz
                $1.50                 $3.00
Break Away Headers - Straight
                $2.50                 $2.50
Break Away Female Headers
                $1.50                 $3.00
Mini Push Button Switch
                $0.35                 $1.40
AVR STK Serial Port Dongle Programmer
                $12.95                 $12.95
Total:45$

--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
TOTAL:ca 175$


Hope to have a few fun weeks :)
Title: Re: Parts for the 50$ robot!
Post by: Admin on September 05, 2007, 09:13:29 AM
enough parts to make several robots :P

dont forget batteries, a soldering iron, and a multimeter!
Title: Re: Parts for the 50$ robot!
Post by: h3ro on September 05, 2007, 10:25:33 AM
Yeah, I decided to order a bit now so that I have something to play with for a while. Shipping cost like hell, so I hope i dont have to order anything more for a while.

I already have 4-5 servos, a few small motors, some RC battery packs (with a kick ass charger) and a lot of wheels. All I need now is best of luck :P
Title: Re: Parts for the 50$ robot!
Post by: Admin on September 05, 2007, 10:54:04 AM
You should make two robots work as a team (after you get the first to work). :P

Something few people have ever done, especially hobbyists . . .
Title: Re: Parts for the 50$ robot!
Post by: h3ro on September 05, 2007, 12:22:43 PM
Haha, assuming I get anything to work at all:P
Title: Re: Parts for the 50$ robot!
Post by: h3ro on September 05, 2007, 01:45:31 PM
Admin, do you know of any links which describes two or more robots working together? Some kind of tutorial or paper? I know its way over my head, but your comment made me interested.
Title: Re: Parts for the 50$ robot!
Post by: Admin on September 05, 2007, 01:52:01 PM
This is the colony project from the CMU Robotics Club
http://www.roboticsclub.org/Colony/HomePage

I figure its more towards the beginner level for robots working together . . . check out the links at the top.

This is a video that I took of them when I visited CMU in April:

[youtube=425,350]Dna1FzTPoJs[/youtube]
Title: Re: Parts for the 50$ robot!
Post by: h3ro on September 05, 2007, 02:07:23 PM
Cool.

I wish there was a robotics club in my hometown or in the town I'm starting university. But guess I'm out of luck. But at least I have SoR to bug :P
Title: Re: Parts for the 50$ robot!
Post by: Admin on September 05, 2007, 02:13:22 PM
You should start one. Just create a post on SoR that you want to start one, and when someone googles for it, they will find you. Give it a few months and you might get lucky.

One just started in DC like 3 months ago (Ive been trying for 2 years with no luck). Im supporting the monkey out of it to keep it alive.

I had to go straight to one of the deans at University of Maryland just to get a room to hold a meeting . . .
Title: Re: Parts for the 50$ robot!
Post by: h3ro on September 05, 2007, 02:15:54 PM
Thank you for the idea, I sure will.

Kind of feels like this is a replacement for MSN or something :P