Tools

Robodave Robots Projects Controllers Circuits Sensors Motors Tools Links

Tools

Last Modified: March 17, 2001

Tools
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What do you need to build a robot? That depends on how complex you want your robot to be. If you build something with Lego Mindstorms, very little besides your computer is needed. But if you want to dig in the guts, splatter solder everywhere, have a huge supply of parts you may never use, then it might be a good idea to stock up with a few choice implements of construction.

Multi-drawer storage cabinets can be your friend. Handy for holding resistors, capacitors, screws, all sorts of little bitty parts that would just be cluttering up your work area. (Mine do anyway, but at least I've got some stuff stored.) Larger containers or tool boxs hold, well, tools and even your robot! Shelves can be a great asset too.

Several different types of hand tools can be very helpful in both circuit making and robot mechanics work. Needle nose pliers, to reach and hold small parts, utility knives to trim and shape, small screwdrivers to put together and take apart things, and of course wire strippers. One pair that I've enjoyed the most resemble the picture to the left.

You know, it's amazing how small and faint those numbers on ICs can be. Or markings on other components. Or if something is binding a small gear set. That's why I have several little magnifiers around the work table, to really check out what I should be seeing anyway. Go ahead and laugh, sonny, you'll need 'em too someday.

Just what you need to keep from tieing up every component you have into a mass of soldered circuits, a solderless breadboard. Seriously, these can be a big help to troubleshoot a circuit if you're having problems. Just plug stuff in. And see what happens if you switch a value somewhere. And then solder it together, after you've got a good working circuit. I use a couple of small ones to try out circuits.

Getting tired of buying batteries to run your project? Get a power supply! A 12 volt 3 amp supply is about $20 and can power most any small robot project, and your car stereo too. Just remember to have another regulation circuit for a 5 volt supply for logic, controllers etcetra. I've got 2 but don't use them too often as my bots usually run off rechargeable NiCads.

A multitester is one of those "must haves" for a simple checkout of your circuits. Volt range, current range, and ohms are the basics for about $20. Some have transistor testers, a high current (10A+) range, and a diode checker. Fancy ones can even check out capacitors or hook up to your computer. Different leads are helpful as well, whether points or clips or terminal leads. It's all good.

Soldering irons can be a debatable subject. Some do well with a cheap iron, others only want the best. I've got a little 15 watt Hakko iron that has worked very well. It's not the cheapy general irons, but was only $20 when I got it. It's a little underpowered and maybe a 30 watt would be better with a home dimmer switch to cut power for lighter jobs. Add a holder and a sponge to wipe on and you're set! Full blown Weller stations can be $100 or more and are probably overkill. All you need is to get the joint hot quickly to get the solder to stick to the lead and board and not heat up the parts too much. Your solder should be a nice rosin core (not acid!). Solder wicks are very helpful in desoldering and cleaning up excess. Vacuum pumps are ok, but a wick will really do well for you. If desoldering boards for parts, a small butane torch can work well or possibly a heat gun.

One thing that I've thought would be really helpful is a circuit board holder or just general vise for parts. These ain't cheap, but it looks like it could be a real asset to hold your board while soldering or a robot together while the glue (yes glue) dries. Maybe I just like weird toys.

One other method of prototyping besides solderless breadboards is wire wrapping. It uses kind of expensive 24 to 32 guage wire, and makes some pretty decent connections. Again good for a test circuit before you commit to making a PCB and soldering everything in. It could even be used as your fnal circuit if you didn't want to make a PCB.

A programmer for various MCUs is a necessity if you want to make small subcircuit interfaces to your main controller. Or even for programming one of the various PICs and AVRs as a main controller! There are so many, from really cheap to a few $100. So look careful for what you may want to develop.

Sooner or later you may like to have a final circuit. Many etching kits exist, from Press-n-peel to photoresist. But to get the board design to print out of something, you may just need a PCB drawing program. One of the best cheapies I've started using is Eagle from Cadsoft, for free even! If you don't want to etch, then perhaps one of the ciruit board houses can take your art and make a few boards for around $50 to $100.

One of the most helpful tools in robot contruction is a Mototool. You can cut out parts, smooth them out, drill a few connecting holes, and you got a frame. Or drill out wheels for fitting on an odd shaft. Or just anything, it speeds your construction up. Ya gotta be careful though, it is a power tool. There are other similar tools out, that probably work well, but Dremel has the extras, like a drill press attachment, and a right angle head I've been looking at. And you don't have to use it only for your robot.

One good diagnostic tool for circuits is a logic probe. It tells you if a signal is occuring and to an extent, the rate. Good for checking clock signals, expected triggering, or if a logic state is present or not. About $20, but mine that I've occasionally used came from Peter Anderson in the form of a kit.

Sometimes it helps to visualize what you want to build. Many CAD programs exist out there, and any could be helpful. One that does read AutoCAD files and is free, is IntelliCAD. I've only started experimenting with it, but it does seem like a very capable program, and will be very helpful to allow me to "see" better what I want to make.

It's always fun to take your robot somewhere to "show it off" a little. But what if your program goofs? What if the sensors work differently where you're at? Time to reprogram a little, and a laptop provides a good portable workstation for that. Plus you can show off your development for the robot too. These things can be expensive, but many controllers can be programmed by an old cheapie laptop like a 486. I'm using an old Toshiba T4800. Works for me.

An oscilloscope is another toy on my wish list. Sometimes it's helpful to see just what kind of signal is crossing the wires and this is what you need to see it. Voltage levels, timing of signals, what triggers what, this can help. And hopefully for around $200, though new scopes are much higher.

One final item on my wish list is a metalworking lathe. I had thought for metalworking that a mill would be the one machine to buy to do most of my parts building, but a few users have mostly convinced me that a lathe would be a better start. It would do many things, from turning a properly sized shaft, to making screw threads or wheels and a platform. Many possibilities exist here and the small hobby lathes can be around $500.