Electronics explained in a simple way
This week we got a new member. So we revised what we’ve done so far with our new member:
The first week we looked at different robot platforms. We wanted to be able to go forward, backward, and make turns. And we wanted it as cheap as possible. We looked at different platforms at the local store, then settled for one with three wheels, three levels and two motors.
[Read more…] about Club de Arduino – Week 4:
An H-bridge is a simple circuit that lets you control a DC motor to go backward or forward.
You normally use it with a microcontroller, such as an Arduino, to control motors.
When you can control two motors to go either forward or backward – you can build yourself a robot!
We made progress on our robot this week! Check out the video at the end of this post.
This is what happened:
During this week I figured out that our H-bridge circuit did not work as intended.
The problem was the TIP12x transistors. They have a huge voltage drop from collector to emitter of 2V. With two of them in the H-bridge design, there was only 1V left for the motor.
I thought the problem was the design. That we needed to increase the current or something to reduce the voltage, but I was unable to do it.
[Read more…] about Club de Arduino – Week 3: H-bridge and the Bluetooth
Today we tried to build an H-bridge to control the motors.
An H-bridge is a circuit that makes it easy to control a motor to go backward or forward, for example from an Arduino.
We used TIP120 and TIP127 transistors and built the following circuit using 5V as VCC:
[Read more…] about Club de Arduino – Week 2: Building an H-Bridge
We started out as a group of three people.
Eduardo, Jefferson, and me.
Today, we discussed what to build.
We wanted to build something that would be fun, and that we could finish within the time frame I’m going to stay here (~2 months).
And it should be based on an Arduino.
Jefferson wanted to build a CNC mill.
But such a machine is a bit complex, so we decided to discard that for now.
Then Eduardo suggested building a sumo robot.
[Read more…] about Club de Arduino – Week 1: Initial meeting and planning
It was sunny and hot.
I was wearing a backpack and I could feel the sweat building up on my back.
But I had to walk fast.
Because I was late.
And because the locals had told me to be careful in the center.
I had emailed with Thomas, the founder of the makerspace Göra, before coming here.
We had discussed electronics workshops but decided that it would be better to meet in person to figure out the details.
I did not know what to expect.
Across the street, I saw it.
