Category: LEARN ROBOTICS

Basic Stamp Review

What is the BASIC STAMP ? 51060

The BASIC Stamp is a microcontroller with a small, specialized BASIC interpreter (PBASIC) built into ROM. It is made by Parallax, Inc. and has been popular with electronics hobbyists, robotic designers since the early 1990’s because of its low threshold of learning and ease of use due to its simple to understand BASIC language and excellent documentation. It is called a “Stamp” simply because it is close to the size of an average postage  stamp.

What is a Microcontroller?

What is a Microcontroller ? 51059

Anywhere you would like to add intelligence you use a Microcontroller…

microcontroller (sometimes abbreviated µCuC or MCU) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a typically small amount of RAM. Microcontrollers are designed for embedded applications, in contrast to the microprocessors used in personal computers or other general purpose applications.

What is Handy Board ? 51058

The Handy Board is a 6811-based microcontroller system that lets you build mobile robots for educational, hobbyist, and industrial purposes. People use the Handy Board to run robot design courses and competitions at the university and high school level, build robots for fun, and control industrial devices.

What is a Servo Motor?

Servo Motors 51057

Servo motors have been around for a long time and are utilized in many applications. They are small in size but pack a big punch and are very energy-efficient. Because of these features, they can be used to operate remote-controlled or radio-controlled toy carsrobots and airplanes.

SparkFun 10-21-11 Product Showcase

Stepper Motors 51056

What is a Stepper Motor ?

stepper motor (or step motor) is a brushless DC electric motor that divides a full rotation into a number of equal steps. The motor’s position can then be commanded to move and hold at one of these steps without any feedback sensor (an open-loop controller), as long as the motor is carefully sized to the application.

What is a Gearmotor?

Gear Motors – GEARBOXES – 51055

Geared motors are used in robotics where high torque is needed. A geared DC Motor has a gear assembly attached to the motor. The speed of motor is counted in terms of rotations of the shaft per minute and is termed as RPM .The gear assembly helps in increasing the torque and reducing the speed.

What is a Brushless DC Motor?

Brushless DC Electric Motors 51054

Short Answer: With the advent of cheap computers and power transistors, it became possible to “turn the motor inside out” and eliminate the brushes. In a brushless DC motor (BLDC), you put the permanent magnets on the rotor and you move the electromagnets to the stator.

Brushed DC Motor Basics Part 1 of 2

Brushed DC Electric Motors 51053

A brushed DC motor is an electric motor designed to be run from a direct current power source. Brushed motors were the first commercially important application of electric power to driving mechanical loads, and DC distribution systems were used for more than 100 years to operate motors in commercial and industrial buildings.