A Roy's Life

Parallax ELEV-8 Quadcopter

2011-12-16T00:57:00.000-08:00

I recently visited Parallax in Rocklin, CA, and while there I was given an ELEV-8 quadcopter to build (thanks Ken!). Here's a neat picture of the completed ELEV-8 at night with the LEDs on:

And here is a video I put together of my build pictures and video clips of it flying:

Walking

2011-08-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

I started doing regular walks in early May. Since May 9th (when I started using Runkeeper to track them), I have done 54 walks with a total distance of 82 miles. My longest single walk was 2.34 miles on the trail behind my house. Most of the time I walk on the path at Miramar Lake which is between work and home.

Below are some photos from the lake:

Next are some photos from the trail behind my house:

And here's one showing the solar panels on my house (that I can see from part of the trail behind my house):

Star Wars Legos & Stuff

2011-03-26T00:06:00.000-07:00

Someone wanted to see my Star Wars Lego stuff. So here's a few pics:

555 Contest Entry (fixed)

2011-03-02T03:13:00.000-08:00

I rearranged the wiring a little, and added caps at every score trigger circuit input. That fixed the noise problem enough that I was able to re-enable the drop target reset feature and the pop bumper scoring.

I made a new video (I hope it's acceptable to update this and it counts.):

555 Contest Entry

2011-03-01T20:34:00.000-08:00

For the 555 contest, I have made a pinball machine. Sadly I ran out of time before I could get everything in and working. I do have the SiniScore 555 and several elements on the playfield work. Previous blog entries detail the build. Here is a picture of the playfield as it is right now:

Also, here are the latest schematic images:

Here's a picture of the breadboards with the above circuits:

It uses 13 555s in that configuration. The final version if I had gotten everything in and working would have used about 25 of them for the main functionality, and a dozen or so more for the LED lighting (flashers and such) and sound effects.

Here is a short video showing what I have working:

Progress?

2011-03-01T05:32:00.000-08:00

I decided to stop putting more stuff on the playfield until I got what I had on there actually working with the proper power supply, and hooked up to SiniScore 555.

I've wired up the roll-over switches, the stand-up targets, the drop targets, and the one pop bumper. I've done basic test with each, and I have the stand-ups and roll-overs going through the merger board into SiniScore 555 and working with the proper PSUs. I still need to build the trigger circuits for the drop targets and hook up a drop target reset trigger. Also need to connect everything together so I can actually try playing it.

I am determined to enter something. It won't be what I had hoped, but hey, it's something.

SiniScore 555 Schematic

2011-02-28T05:50:00.000-08:00

Above is the schematic of the main portion of SiniScore 555. The reset circuit is just a 555 circuit to debounce a button press. The merger circuit is just a series of 74HC32 (quad or gates) that merges the outputs of all the solenoid trigger circuits down to one signal to feed the first 4017 CLK line.

Almost there...

2011-02-27T23:58:00.000-08:00

Just need to install 4 more pop bumpers and 2 stand-up targets. Routing the slot for the drop target bank was difficult, but it works.

Playfield In Progress shots.

2011-02-27T15:52:00.000-08:00

Below are a couple of shots of the Playfield in Progress. I spent a bunch of time figuring out how I wanted it laid out, and then placed all the pieces approximately where they go. Now I am attaching them. I've got the left side stuff mostly done.

SiniScore 555 is Alive!

2011-02-26T02:30:00.000-08:00

New Tools & Solenoid Trigger Circuit

2011-02-23T23:24:00.000-08:00

Got some new tools:

Also, worked out the solenoid trigger circuit. This circuit will let me trigger a solenoid with a short burst when a switch is closed, and it will let me signal the score unit with a 5v level signal at the same time. It doesn't matter how long the switch stays closed, there will always only be one short pulse per switch close event. I can use this with the Pop Bumpers, Slingshots, and to reset the drop targets. I can use the same thing minus the TIP120 and high power side for the drop targets, stand up targets, and rollover switches. Needless to say I am going to have a lot of these in the machine (8 with the TIP120s and around 20 with just the score pulse). Here's my test setup for it (the pcb on the left there is just providing regulated 5v, the 24v supply is off to right out of the picture):

And here is the schematic. It's done with ExpressSCH, so I can share that file if anyone wants it.

Slower progress today...

2011-02-23T03:04:00.000-08:00

Since I had to work, I only had a few hours to work on the pinball today. I did some work on figuring out the circuit I need at each solenoid, it's close. Using a 555 in monostable mode to drive a TIP120 that drives the solenoid. I need this so that I can direct a low power signal to the score circuit at the same time (e.g. when you hit a pop bumper) and also for when I need to drive a solenoid for other reasons like the drop target reset.

Once this circuit is worked out, I need to make a whole bunch of them.

5x 555s, 4x 4017s, 6x 4066s, and 4 Servos = SiniScore 555

2011-02-21T21:39:00.000-08:00

Each servo is driven by a 555 circuit, but with a twist. Instead of a POT controlling the servo position, I have 5 resisters that position the servo appropriately. The resisters are "selected" via a 4066 and 4017 circuit. The 4017 outputs drive the 4066 switches to feed power through one of the resisters going into the 555 circuit.
Each 4017 is setup to reset itself on the 5th count, that count also clocks the next 4017. The first 4017's clock is driven from a series of 74HC32 (quad or gates) which has all the switches feeding them.

The 5th 555 circuit is setup as a simple monostable circuit that when triggered goes through a 4066 to reset all of the 4017s. This allows me to reset the score at the start of a new game or at power up.

If I have time this will all go onto a proto board PCB (or maybe a couple). Hopefully, it's okay if some of my circuits are still on breadboards for the 555 contest.

Flippers & Slingshots

2011-02-21T00:17:00.001-08:00

Shooter Lane Test

2011-02-19T22:58:00.000-08:00

I made a little progress on the play field. There's a shooter lane now, and an arch at the top/back, plus side walls to the play area.

Here's a video of the shooter lane test.

And we have flippers!

2011-02-19T02:19:00.000-08:00

I have started mounting parts to my pinball play field. Below you can see that I have the flippers on there and the in-lane guides. There's also a view of the bottom showing the flipper solenoids and such. Next, I'll be putting the outside walls and the shooter lane wall on, and then the slingshots and ball trough.

I also have been working on my scoring circuit. This is only 1 stage of it plus the beginning of the second stage. The first small chip is a 555, the next two are 4017s (decade counters), and the last one is a 74HC32 (quad or gate). The switch inputs from the play field will go through the or gates and trigger the clock line of one of the 4017s. Then the output of the 4017 is going through some "glue" then into the 555 which will control a display element. I'll have a 555 and 4017 for each display stage, and as many 74HC32s as I need to get all play field switches connected. Once I have this working as intended, I'll post the schematic.

What am I doing?

2011-02-02T22:58:00.000-08:00

What on earth could I be making with this stuff? :)

First test run of R2-D2

2010-11-03T00:22:00.000-07:00

We got the base frame setup with the Parallax 12v motor and wheel kit, HB-25s, a Propellor Proto board, and an R/C receiver. The legs are not very sturdy yet, so we could only run it very slowly (about 5-10% of max speed).

New Robot Project!

2010-10-28T23:55:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine at work has had an R2-D2 full sized robot that he has been working on for years. He's got the frame and a bunch of parts including a nice dome. However he's not really a programmer or electronics type, more of a mechanical and artist type. So we decided to work together to finally complete R2-D2. I'll be working on the electronics together with him, and doing all the programming. Here's a couple pictures of the "prototype phase" where it's got temporary wood feet and most of the outer "skin" is not in place.

The main body is made mostly of wood, the legs are aluminum, and there is a metal pipe going through the middle connecting the two side legs together. There are a whole bunch more parts that will eventually go onto this frame and make it look like the real deal, but those are in boxes waiting until we get all the mechanical and electrical stuff worked out.

The center leg has a mechanism to allow it to be retracted up into the body using a power window motor. However, that is not functional yet, so it's just locked in place. Long term we want to make it so that it can transition from 3 foot mode to two foot mode and back, but that will require a lot of work and before then we want to get it driving around in 3 foot mode, and get the dome working (able to rotate around and with all the lights/displays).

Below is a close up of one of the prototype feet showing the motor and wheels.

We're using a Parallax 12v motor kit with a different tire mounted to the hub along with a Parallax HB-25 motor controller. This is the same drive mechanism I have on my Wood Platform Robot (mentioned in my blog a while ago). We're also using an omni wheel (the same one that's on the Stingray robot) to stabilize the foot and allow for a differential drive system. We'll be running power and signal wires up through the legs into the main body where we'll have some 12v SLA batteries, and a Propeller Proto board that I am putting together with connections to an R/C receiver. This will let us drive it around easily while we work out any issues/details with the feet and drive wheels.

Random stuff from the last few months.

2010-07-20T23:06:00.000-07:00

So, first off, I moved and expanded my workbench. As you can see here, it's already covered with stuff. I really need to finish sorting out my tools and parts so this is less messy and easier to work on.

Next up, I went to UPEW (Unofficial Propeller Expo West) at Parallax's offices in Rocklin, CA. I got to see lots of cool stuff like the gas powered bot on the left.

I, also, met and talked with Chip Gracey. He invented the Propeller chip that I use in a couple of my bots, and he's busy working on the next version that is being called Propeller 2 or TurboProp for now. It was really awesome to sit down and talk with him about the stuff he is doing and all sorts of things.

I Also met and talked with several other really cool people at UPEW, like Ken Gracey (he "runs" Parallax and is a really nice and generous guy. He also designed the wood platform bot.), Jeff Ledger (who is the primary organizer of the UPEs), Beau Schwabe (who does IC layout, and took the time to explain some of that to me at 2am), Peter (pjv, he shared some really neat scheduler code for running multiple "threads/tasks" in one cog on a Propeller) and others. I hope I get to see you all again next year.

This is the new addition to my robot collection. It's called a Penguin Robot, because it looks and walks kindof like one.

Most recently, I visited my Mom and friends for my birthday last week. This is mom's cute dog "Diva".

New Workbench

2010-04-18T00:21:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting a proper workbench for doing all of my electronics and robotics stuff. I have a workbench down in the garage, but that is not really convenient for soldering and working with my robots. It's more for doing woodwork and working on messy garage stuff. So anyway, recently I discovered Harbor Freight, and this pretty cool workbench was on sale for $99.99. I bought two. :)

Today I spent most of the day clearing out the area where they are going and building one of them. As soon as it was done I loaded it up with stuff and took a picture. The second one will go right next to it on the left side. I'll be putting a computer setup on the that one so I can hook up my PropScope, and also use it to download code into my robots.

When I first opened the box and inspected the parts I was a little worried because the metal parts didn't seem very sturdy, but once I got the thing built it was surprisingly sturdy. The drawers also work nicely too. This thing is pretty cool for the price.

First CNC cut

2010-03-21T22:16:00.000-07:00

I recently got my Zen Toolworks CNC machine built and hooked up using stepper drivers and breakout board from Probotix. Today I did my first cut! I used EMC2 and cut a spiral into a small piece of plastic.

I still need to add limit switches and figure out how to make my own designs to cut, but at least it works.

Assembling my Parallax Digital I/O Board

2010-03-14T01:06:00.000-08:00

I recently got a Parallax Digital I/O Board. It comes in kit form. So you have to solder all of the parts into place, but it is all through-hole. Here's most of the parts before I started. I have 8 relays not shown in this picture.

And here's the finished product. Sorry, no pictures of it during assembly.

Top view. I think this is a really cool looking board.

Bottom view. You can see that I am not an expert at soldering, but I got the job done. I've done some basic testing and it all appears to be working fine.

More Parallax wood platform robot fun

2010-03-08T02:11:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update to point you at another video I just uploaded.

More Parallax wood platform robot fun

I added a IR detector and an XBee module. They're on a breadboard for now. Just so I could get it functioning. I coded it so I could drive the robot around using a tv remote and it reports move and turn commands back to my PC via XBee. I have another XBee module hooked up to the PC via USB.

The wood platform robot is alive!

2010-03-06T22:42:00.000-08:00

I finally got the wood platform robot running today. This is an picture of the top of it. You can see the 10 PING))) sensors, the 20x4 LCD display, and I have a 7.2v R/C car battery powering the MSR1 board.

Here's the bottom. You can see the 2 HB-25 motor controllers and the 12v battery that is powering the motors. I'm currently holding the 12v battery in place with a large zip-tie, but I want to figure out something better.

I put a video of the first run of this robot on youtube here.

So, I have been slacking a bit on updates here. Part of it is because it's rained the last 2 weekends so I couldn't work on the backyard project, and I haven't done as much on the chainmail as I would like so I didn't want to do an update with only a little more on it. I have also been working on a new project (CNC machine) that I will post an update on tomorrow.