Prarthana

Micro Robots

Introductory class

Day 1

14.09.15

Building my own Robot on the very first day kick- started my interest in electronics. Not only did we learn how to build a basic circuit but also how to solder. Soldering makes your work look much neater and also adds the basic strength required within the different components of a circuit. What boosted my learning was the fact that we did all of this practically with minimal theory. I believe that what you learn practically by experimenting is far more effective and deeper than what you learn merely through theory.

This robot had a simple logic behind it; the battery and the switch were connected to a small motor, whose vibration caused the PCB to move. Something that I wouldn’t have thought of, despite the knowledge about how to make these connections to run a motor. While making the robot one of the major difficulties I faced was when one of the motor legs broke after the entire circuit was soldered onto the PCB. In which case I learned how you could de-solder the excess solder on the leg using a de- soldering pump and solder the wire directly to the metal connection on the motor’s body. The other difficulty that I faced was while making the legs of the robot using U-pins. While making the connections on the PCB and securing them using glue gun and soldering, I didn’t think about the holes through which the legs could pass. Due to which I wasn’t able to attach four legs on four corners which would balance the structure. After experimenting a little I attached three legs to the structure in a triangular manner followed by two pseudo legs on the front to maintain balance.

One thing I think I really need to work on is neatness and securing connections. I believe that my robot, to an extent, is still fragile. Also my soldering tends to get messy, which I would get better at as I practice more.

Intro to Components

Transistors

Transistor touch switch

555 oscillator

making oscillator, changing inputs