Archive for February, 2006

Monthly Archive
Tuesday, February 28th, 2006

BuzzBot - PicAxe Frustrations

Frustrations 
I have to make some decisions on what direction I need to go with my buzzbot project, basically I have been frustrated with some short comings of the PICAXE microcontroller.  The main being lack of any onboard timers and having only one common interrupt available.  Also I think that I’m trying to fit too much onto one of these babies. 
Don’t get [...]

No Comments » - Posted in buzzbot, picaxe by Stephen Eaton
Wednesday, February 15th, 2006

BuzzBot - Initial Testing

I started testing last night after finishing initial motor and wheel sensor hookups to my development board.  Couple of minor issues so far. 
Issues 
I’m using a pic based board from Modtronics. These are great and reasonably priced, along with the prototyping daughterboard.  However I have since found that the onboard RS232 is not on the same [...]

No Comments » - Posted in buzzbot, picaxe by Stephen Eaton
Wednesday, February 8th, 2006

Buzzbot - Circuit Design

Last night I did some brain storming asto what the I/O requirements will be.  During this requirements phase I came across a bit of a delima with the PWM requirements for the motor controller.  The motor controller requires two outputs per motor, so this rules out using the onboard PWMout command of the PICAXE, as [...]

No Comments » - Posted in buzzbot, picaxe by Stephen Eaton
Wednesday, February 8th, 2006

CNC - MK1 Modelling Begins

After lots of research I’ve started to put some ideas to paper for the MK1 CNC Machine.  
Yes I know I could probably jump right in and start putting together bit and pieces, but I really want to learn to use some 3-D Modelling CAD Packages for future Robotics projects and since I will eventually need [...]

No Comments » - Posted in CNC, CNC - MK1 by Stephen Eaton
Thursday, February 2nd, 2006

CNC Bug Bites

Over the past number of years, along with my interest in robotics and software development,  I have also had a keen interest in machining and metal work, I suppose ever since I build my first Stuart Turner stationary engine when I was 15 on my fathers Lathe,  BTW my father is also a very keen model engineer/machinist.  [...]

No Comments » - Posted in CNC by Stephen Eaton
Thursday, February 2nd, 2006

Buzzbot - Motor Controller Tests

Ok encoders are in, although not wired up.  So I quickly re-assembled the wheels and motor controller board for a quick test.  Glad to say that everything tested aok.  Put my logic pulser on the inputs and sure enough forward and reverse is easily attained on both motors, although due to the low frequency pulses of [...]

No Comments » - Posted in buzzbot by Stephen Eaton