Mar 11, 2006
Attendance: 24
Class:
Jeff Dunker finished presentation on batteries.
- Battery : Battery types and alternatives.
- Presented several Docking designs to allow robot to recharge and what safety concerns to watch for.
- more detail on DC-DC converters. Passed around a sample "brick" and several samples datasheets one being the Power Trends 3100 (PT3100) 48V to 5/12/15v.
Business:
The business meeting began at 12:30 covering the following topics:
1. Class schedule for the beginning of 2006:
Apr - Hierarchical goal behavior (Jim Ubersetzig),
May - Soldering: Basics through Surface Mount (Tim Lewis),
Jun - H-Bridges (Alex Brown),
Jul - Mechanical part of Drive Train (Jess).
2. Martin La Rocque had papers to sign for non-profit 501c designation. ($12) to get incorporated; filing fee $45.
3. Planned future "Robot's of the Month" are:
Apr - Scott Mummert,
May - Derek Jones,
Jun - Jeff Dunker.
4. Alex shared about the Cal State Fullerton Engineering week events.
5. IEEE Starting robotics chapter. (flyer available if interested).
6. There will be an auction for Ralph's robot stuff. For his HC11 processor, Alex will try to get the compiler CD ($200)
7. Bruce asked what we want to do with the money for incorporating. Some ideas were:
- Promotional events (local fair etc.)
- Sponsor FIRST team. (too much) or some other organiztion or event (Bot Ball, First Lego League)
- Educational materal
- club robot (each memeber given robot (<$100) when pay $12 dues)
- special speaker
8. Upcoming contests for 2006:
Apr - Mini Sumo (Jeff Smith)
Jun - Hall Navigation (Alex Brown)
TBD - Follow On to Line Following (to be developed at the Apr meeting)
The business meeting concluded at 1:20
Show and Tell:
1. Robot of the Month: Shane shared his Robby the Robot. Designing a robot that will be driven from "Laptop" (various pieces of laptop) that runs Windows. Has a very nice mechanical design with arms and head that will pivot (servos not included yet). 30min.
2. Bruce presented a USB Laptop servo driver (~$35) via USB (http://www.phidgetsusa.com/); USB provides power to servo. They provide C source code. Will Allow camera mounted on Leaf to tilt from PC control; camera panning will still be control from Leaf himself turning, but the setup is capable of being modified if panning is desired. Pan/tilt mechanism + high torque servos about $100. 15min.
3. Jim Ubersetzig went to Dorkbot (So Cal.) in echo Park "convention" where they build robots more for artistic design (weird stuff beyond the grasp of us technical folk). Jim currntly working on 3 robots:
A. hall navigation robot
B. Prototype of Robot hand (designed to grab things)
C. Intelligent guided vehicle something (IGVT?) - multi-university effort to build robot to navigate a 80x80 meter field with a chalk-line road with assorted obstacles, potholes and other assorted stuff for making our job difficult. 15min.
4. [Didn't get name] presented two items:
- serial Wireless kit
- persented a fairly elaborate Lego experimental ki t. 2min.
5. Tommy showed his building Lost in Space robot (Robby). Displayed huge industrial stepper motor to be used--comes with several physical limit switches. Will be used to expand the robot accordian arms. 5min.
6. Derek Jones demonstrated work toward RC like control of robot from laptop using eb500 embedded bluetooth module and serial bluetooth dongle. 10min.