Robot Builder's Bonanza, Fourth Edition
by: Gordon McComb
Abstract: The bestselling robotics book—now with new projects and online tools! "Amazing...should be required reading for any budding robot builder!" —GeekDad, Wired.com Have 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!
Full details
Table of Contents
- A. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
- B. DEDICATION
- C. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- D. PHOTO AND ILLUSTRATION CREDITS
- E. INTRODUCTION
- A. The Art and Science of Robot Building
- 1. Welcome to the Wonderful World of Robotics!
- 2. Anatomy of a Robot
- 3. Getting Parts
- B. Robot Construction
- 4. Safety First (and Always)
- 5. Building Robot Bodies—the Basics
- 6. Mechanical Construction Techniques
- 7. Working with Wood
- 8. Build a Motorized Wooden Platform
- 9. Working with Plastic
- 10. Build a Motorized Plastic Platform
- 11. Working with Metal
- 12. Build a Motorized Metal Platform
- 13. Assembly Techniques
- 14. Rapid Prototyping Methods
- 15. Drafting Bots with Computer-Aided Design
- 16. Constructing High-Tech Robots from Toys
- 17. Building Bots from Found Parts
- C. Power, Motors, and Locomotion
- 18. All about Batteries
- 19. Robot Power Systems
- 20. Moving Your Robot
- 21. Choosing the Right Motor
- 22. Using DC Motors
- 23. Using Servo Motors
- 24. Mounting Motors and Wheels
- 25. Robot Movement with Shape Memory Alloy
- D. Hands-On Robotic Projects
- 26. Build Robots with Wheels and Tracks
- 27. Build Robots with Legs
- 28. Experimenting with Robotic Arms
- 29. Experimenting with Robotic Grippers
- E. Robot Electronics
- 30. Building Robot Electronics—the Basics
- 31. Common Electronic Components for Robotics
- 32. Using Solderless Breadboards
- 33. Making Circuit Boards
- F. Computers and Electronic Control
- 34. An Overview of Robot "Brains"
- 35. Understanding Microcontrollers
- 36. Programming Concepts: The Fundamentals
- G. Microcontroller Brains
- 37. Using the Arduino
- 38. Using the PICAXE
- 39. Using the BASIC Stamp
- 40. Interfacing Hardware with Your Microcontroller or Computer
- 41. Remote Control Systems
- H. Sensors, Navigation, and Feedback
- 42. Adding the Sense of Touch
- 43. Proximity and Distance Sensing
- 44. Robotic Eyes
- 45. Navigating Your Robot
- 46. Making and Listening to Sound
- 47. Interacting with Your Creation
- 48. Danger, Will Robinson!
- I. RBB Online Support
- J. Internet Parts Sources
- K. Mechanical Reference
- L. Electronic Reference
Tools & Media
Expanded Table of Contents
- A. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
- B. DEDICATION
- C. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- D. PHOTO AND ILLUSTRATION CREDITS
- E. INTRODUCTION
- A. The Art and Science of Robot Building
- 1. Welcome to the Wonderful World of Robotics!
- 2. Anatomy of a Robot
- 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
- B. Robot Construction
- 4. Safety First (and Always)
- 5. Building Robot Bodies—the Basics
- 6. Mechanical Construction Techniques
- 7. Working with Wood
- 8. Build a Motorized Wooden Platform
- 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
- 10. Build a Motorized Plastic Platform
- 11. Working with Metal
- 12. Build a Motorized Metal Platform
- 13. Assembly Techniques
- 14. Rapid Prototyping Methods
- 15. Drafting Bots with Computer-Aided Design
- 16. Constructing High-Tech Robots from Toys
- 17. Building Bots from Found Parts
- C. Power, Motors, and Locomotion
- 18. All about Batteries
- 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
- 20. Moving Your Robot
- 21. Choosing the Right Motor
- 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
- 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
- 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 and Flexible Couplers
- Working with Different Shaft Types
- Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Gears
- 25. Robot Movement with Shape Memory Alloy
- D. Hands-On Robotic Projects
- 26. Build Robots with Wheels and Tracks
- 27. Build Robots with Legs
- 28. Experimenting with Robotic Arms
- 29. Experimenting with Robotic Grippers
- E. Robot Electronics
- 30. Building Robot Electronics—the Basics
- 31. Common Electronic Components for Robotics
- 32. Using Solderless Breadboards
- 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
- F. Computers and Electronic Control
- 34. An Overview of Robot "Brains"
- 35. Understanding Microcontrollers
- 36. Programming Concepts: The Fundamentals
- G. Microcontroller Brains
- 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
- 38. Using the PICAXE
- 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
- 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
- 41. Remote Control Systems
- H. Sensors, Navigation, and Feedback
- 42. Adding the Sense of Touch
- 43. Proximity and Distance Sensing
- 44. Robotic Eyes
- 45. Navigating Your Robot
- 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
- 47. Interacting with Your Creation
- 48. Danger, Will Robinson!
- I. RBB Online Support
- J. Internet Parts Sources
- K. Mechanical Reference
- L. Electronic Reference
Book Details
Title: Robot Builder's Bonanza, Fourth Edition
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education: New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Athens, London, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, New Delhi, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto
Copyright / Pub. Date: 2011, 2001, 1987 Gordon McComb
ISBN: 9780071750363
Authors:
Gordon McComb
has written 65 books and thousands of magazine articles—more than a million copies of his books are in print, in more than a dozen languages. He has been called "the father of hobby robotics" by Make Magazine. For 13 years, Gordon wrote a weekly syndicated newspaper column on computers, which reached several million readers worldwide. He is a regular contributor to SERVO Magazine, and most recently completed seven years as writer of their popular Robotics Resources column.
Description: The bestselling robotics book—now with new projects and online tools! "Amazing...should be required reading for any budding robot builder!" —GeekDad, Wired.com Have 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!
