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This initial phase of the project will focus exclusively on achieving movement. By starting with movement, students will immediately see the results of their programming efforts, fostering engagement and enthusiasm.
This step-by-step guide will cover adding motors to the chassis, installing the Arduino and L298 motor driver, completing the wiring as per the wiring diagram, and testing motor functionality. Students will test one motor at a time, ensuring it moves forward and backward, then proceed to test both motors together, verifying forward, backward, left, right, and rotational movements.
Mastering these basics will lay a solid foundation for more complex functionalities in subsequent stages.
Components/Parts for Movement
Components/Parts for Movement
You need the following components and parts to complete movement of the Robot.
Chassis
Chassis
This is a standard laser-cut chassis intended for mounting motors and other components.
Students have the option to drill holes for screws or use double-sided tape for assembly. The chassis material can be either cardboard or acrylic.
They will receive the Fusion 360 model if they wish to make modifications.
Alternatively, it may be included as part of a kit provided to them.
DC Motors
DC Motors
DC motors work by taking electrical power through direct current, and it converts that into mechanical rotation through the motor. You will use geared DC motors to move the robot's wheels at different speeds around a corner and at the same speed in a straight line so that the robot can travel on the line to a station.
The operating voltage is 3 to 6VDC. The load current is 70mA (250mA maximum). The gearing ratio may be 1:48 or 1:120.
Note: When using standard Arduino DC motors, it is imperative to ensure that wires are meticulously soldered onto the motor's thin tabs. Additionally, employing heat shrink tubing is recommended to reinforce these connections.
Arduino
Arduino
Arduino Uno is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P (datasheet). It has 14 digital input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator (CSTCE16M0V53-R0), a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header and a reset button.
The DC Motor draws 70 to 250mA. The Arduino PWM output can only provide 20mA. Therefore, use the following motor driver.
L298 Motor Driver
L298 Motor Driver
The L298 is a dual full-bridge driver integrated circuit (IC) primarily designed to control DC motors.
It's commonly used in robotics, motor control applications, and other projects where controlling the speed and direction of DC motors is necessary.
The L298 IC can drive two DC motors simultaneously, with bidirectional control, meaning it can control the rotation direction as well as the speed of the motors. See How to Use a L298 Motor Driver for more information.
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
When assembling an Arduino robot, various miscellaneous items are crucial for a successful build. These include Dupont wires for flexible connections, screws and spacers to secure components, different gauges of wire for power and signal distribution, and heat shrink tubing for reinforcing and insulating connections, especially around motors and sensitive electronic components.
These components collectively ensure the reliability, efficiency, and durability of the robot's construction and functionality.
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