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Arduino programming + motor control (Stepper robots, for robotics - toy, not industrial) cobbled with 3D printing. I've always been fascinated with robotics, a

by ericol 4y ago

Arduino programming + motor control (Stepper robots, for robotics - toy, not industrial) cobbled with 3D printing. I've always been fascinated with robotics, and the barrier to entry is getting lower by the second. But I want to know all the details, so I'm going slow and steady at it (Like, instead of using libraries - at least when learning - I'm coding 100% of the stepper motor control routines). I plan on making my own designs, and make my own versions of known ones: The first thing I want to try my hand at is either (my own version of) a PolarGraph or an AxiDraw. Then I'll move to other things, also in the early stages of designing a chess playing (arm) robot.

29athrowaway 4y ago
Make sure you have proper ventilation and air filtering for that 3d printer. https://3dinsider.com/3d-printer-fumes/ https://3dinsider.com/3d-printer-fumes/
- ericol 4y ago
  Thanks for the info. I'm not printing much yet (Few grams of filament a day) but 3D printing doesn't smell good, in any sense. Luckily I'm using PLA for printing, but I do plan to take the printer out to the balcony once I start printing "big" pieces.
  - 29athrowaway 4y ago
    Then wait until you have proper ventilation to start printing.
steve_adams_86 4y ago
I’m on a similar page, using 3d printing and arduino/pi/motors for basic toy automation. My first project was not robotic, but an automated hydroponic system. The automation is dead simple but I’ve been really pleased with it. It’s one tent divided into a nutrient film technique section and a flood and drain section. Just timers, fans, and pumps, and a lot of 3d printed parts to pull it together. Now I’m really interested in automation of my nutrient reservoir. I suspect it’s a terrible idea, but I’m happy to learn from failures. The gist of it is a system that occasionally reads the total dissolved solids and pH of the reservoir, then automatically adds the correct amount of nutrient, pH balancing solution, and water to balance the system again. No where near as interesting or challenging as a robotic arm that moves chess pieces, but, baby steps!

by ericol 4y ago

29athrowaway 4y ago

Make sure you have proper ventilation and air filtering for that 3d printer. https://3dinsider.com/3d-printer-fumes/ https://3dinsider.com/3d-printer-fumes/

ericol 4y ago
Thanks for the info. I'm not printing much yet (Few grams of filament a day) but 3D printing doesn't smell good, in any sense. Luckily I'm using PLA for printing, but I do plan to take the printer out to the balcony once I start printing "big" pieces.
- 29athrowaway 4y ago
  Then wait until you have proper ventilation to start printing.

steve_adams_86 4y ago

I’m on a similar page, using 3d printing and arduino/pi/motors for basic toy automation. My first project was not robotic, but an automated hydroponic system. The automation is dead simple but I’ve been really pleased with it. It’s one tent divided into a nutrient film technique section and a flood and drain section. Just timers, fans, and pumps, and a lot of 3d printed parts to pull it together. Now I’m really interested in automation of my nutrient reservoir. I suspect it’s a terrible idea, but I’m happy to learn from failures. The gist of it is a system that occasionally reads the total dissolved solids and pH of the reservoir, then automatically adds the correct amount of nutrient, pH balancing solution, and water to balance the system again. No where near as interesting or challenging as a robotic arm that moves chess pieces, but, baby steps!