WorkshopMotorControl
Note: This Page is Still Under Construction
Motors are one of the most common ways we move things with electricity in the physical world. You can scavenge them from optical disc readers, printers, or toys and use them for your own projects. The most common reusable types are brushed DC motors (found in most smaller items) and stepper motors (in more industrial places, or really old printers).
This workshop is going to focus on brushed DC motor because those are the cheapest and found in the sorts of toys you'll find in thrift stores for less than the original cost of the motors themselves. The added bonus here is that the motors are still attached to something interesting! A neat example is a toy car that can be re-purposed as a robotics platform. Many already even have the circuits needed for controlling the motors, and all that's needed is to send the right signals.
We'll be working from the ground up though, so make sure you've got the supplies you need and come by to work with us.
Contents
Required Supplies
- Laptop (for following along)
- Arduino (optional)
- A good attitude :D
Kit Contents ($20)
- 10 transistors (PN2907ABU, 40V @ 800mA)
- 10 diodes (Almost any will do, they're for shunting)
- 4 resistors
- A toy containing motors to control (mostly cars)
Pre-class Preparation
There's actually very little needed before coming in for this one. If you're interested in trying to run your project from your own Arduino, feel free to bring one. We'll have one pre-programmed to show off speed control.
In-class work
The meat of the workshop. What people will be doing in the class
Troubleshooting
Make sure the transistors are the right way! This could be a challenge. They have a little D shape to them, so make sure they're all facing the same direction.
