Alt-BEAM Archive

Message #08593



To: beam@sgiblab.sgi.com
From: Nathaniel Martin nat@lumiere.net
Date: Fri, 24 Dec 1999 22:59:44 -0700
Subject: [alt-beam] New to list


Hi Everyone.


Just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Nathaniel Martin, I'm a 17 year
old senior in high school, here in San Francisco, California.

I've just gotten into robotics (both BEAM and conventional). I'm building a
CPU based robot, and I would like to build a BEAM walker. I've breadboarded
a microcore, and I'm waiting to get some small gear motors to start
building (does anyone know where to get some good cheap gear motors?)

I've been looking around the 'net trying to find some good beginning
information. Unfortunately, it looks like the FAQ at beamtek is down. Can
anyone recommend another FAQ, or beginner's site?

Two more questions:

1) How does feedback from the motors affect the microcore? I understand the
basics of the microcore, but I don't see how the microcore "knows" that a
leg is stuck, etc.

2) What is a hextile? I've heard of these and seen pictures of these
several times, but I don't know what they are.


I have been doing a lot of work with electric vehicles lately, so I know a
good amount about (big) motors, batteries, and motor control. Maybe I can
use this knowledge to answer someone else's questions, and I won't be only
asking them!

Sorry for the newbie questions, I look forward to the answers!

Thank you,
Nathaniel Martin
nat@lumiere.net



8594 Sat, 25 Dec 1999 18:20:43 +1100 [alt-beam] Re: New to list "David Perry"
>Hi Everyone.


Hi!


snip!
>building (does anyone know where to get some good cheap gear motors?)


the most reliable source is using servos, but you have to remove the
circuitry (not hard). Other good gear motors are rather hard to find or very
expensive.

>I've been looking around the 'net trying to find some good beginning
>information. Unfortunately, it looks like the FAQ at beamtek is down. Can
>anyone recommend another FAQ, or beginner's site?


BeamTEK is most likely the best, it will be up again soon (it always does
this at the end of the month). Just keep surfing around picking up little
bits of info as you can, there aren't really any other definitive sites.

>Two more questions:
>
>1) How does feedback from the motors affect the microcore? I understand the
>basics of the microcore, but I don't see how the microcore "knows" that a
>leg is stuck, etc.


I'm not sure of the exact mechanics of it but when the motor is being held
back it draws more current which makes the NV neuron stay on longer.

>2) What is a hextile? I've heard of these and seen pictures of these
>several times, but I don't know what they are.


They are these really cool circuit boards shaped like a hexagon, they have
various pads and links and can be joined together. In other words they are
universal circuit boards that can be used on lots of projects. The original
ones by Mark Tilden were gold plated and looked really cool. Other people
have designs for you to make, Dennisons site had some i think.

>I have been doing a lot of work with electric vehicles lately, so I know a
>good amount about (big) motors, batteries, and motor control. Maybe I can
>use this knowledge to answer someone else's questions, and I won't be only
>asking them!
>
>Sorry for the newbie questions, I look forward to the answers!


thats okay, your questions are good!

merry xmas!

David Perry


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