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Difference between revisions of "Vorpal Grab Box Info"

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(GRAB BOX INFO)
(C Channel Metal)
 
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* Light blocking: a photointerupter, detects when something passes through the small slit. Can be used to tell when a lid is closed, for example.
 
* Light blocking: a photointerupter, detects when something passes through the small slit. Can be used to tell when a lid is closed, for example.
  
===C Channel Metal===
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===VORPCHANNEL: C Channel Metal===
The Grab Box includes at least 20 pieces of C channel with holes punched every 1/2 inch. This is great for prototyping robotics projects since all the holes give you lots of mount points.
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The Grab Box includes at least 20 pieces of VorpChannel C channel with holes punched every 1/2 inch. This is great for prototyping robotics projects since all the holes give you lots of mount points.
 
They are made of anodized aluminum and may be natural color (aluminum, silvery) or several other colors (red, blue, orange, green).
 
They are made of anodized aluminum and may be natural color (aluminum, silvery) or several other colors (red, blue, orange, green).
  
These parts work well with a set of 3d printed brackets we have created. These brackets are 3d printable and free for printing. Just go to Thingiverse.com and search for "Vorpal Brackets". There are things like corner brackets, gussets, servo mounts, battery holders, and even Arduino mounts. By sliding these into the channel and using one or two screws (M3 or #6-32 are good sizes for the holes) you can quickly put together robotic or other structures for prototyping.
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These parts work well with a set of 3d printed brackets we have created. These brackets are 3d printable and free for printing.  
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You can obtain the STL files for the brackets by going to [htto://tinyurl.com/VORPALFILES Vorpal File Public Archive] and go to the STL folder then the DD-VORPCHANNEL folder.
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There are things like corner brackets, T-brackets, servo mounts, wheels that interface to common servo horns, an Arduino mount, etc. By sliding these into the channel and using one or two screws (M3 or #6-32 are good sizes for the holes) you can quickly put together robotic or other structures for prototyping.

Latest revision as of 14:32, 8 March 2021

GRAB BOX INFO

The 2021 Vorpal Grab Box contains an assortment of sensors, servos, power electronics, and other parts generally useful for Arduino based robotics. This article gives information about how to use it.

The Grab Box contains a variety of components that are generally useful for making Arduino based robotics or electronics projects. It's a great way to learn about sensors and motors, or to create a fun project.

Identifying Servos

Most of the servos have labels that give their model number.

Most servos are of the 180 degree variety. A few will be 360 degree, those are marked "360" somewhere on the package. Please consult the Internet for instructions on how to use 360 degree servos.

Identifying Sensors and Components

Some components have labels on the bag that identify them. Some will be generally available Arduino sensors that you can look up on the chart here: (Click on the chart to see a full size version).

Arduino Sensors CLICK FOR FULL SIZE DIAGRAM

After identifying a sensor or other component, you can easily find information about how to use it by doing a web search or two. Sometimes you can even find a full blown tutorial on how to use the sensor. NOTE: You will have a subset of about 10 of these (or other) sensors in your grab box, not all of them.

A few notes about the names given on that diagram:

  • Flame: detects fire (light in the thermal infrared range)
  • RGB LED: an LED that can display any color by using the R, G, B inputs at various levels (for example using PWM)
  • Heartbrat: This is a typo, it's supposed to say "heartbeat". It's a sensor you can use to measure heart rate by detecting light differences in a finger or thumb.
  • Light Cup: You won't get one of these in your Grab Box because it contains mercury.
  • Hall Magnetic: Detects magnetic fields using a Hall sensor.
  • Relay: allows an Arduino output to switch on higher power or voltage using a relay.
  • Linear Hall: Another magnetic field sensor
  • SMD RGB: similar to RGB LED but uses a surface mount chip.
  • 7 Color Flash: flashes colors.
  • Tilt switch: contains mercury so you won't be getting one of these.
  • Temp: Analog temperature sensor.
  • Big sound/Small sound: Sound detectors, trigger on threshold which is adjustable using the potentiometer and a tiny screw driver
  • Two color LED: the signal(s) line determines the color.
  • Laser emit: Be careful with the laser module. Don't look at it directly.
  • Ball switch: tilts cause the signal to change. This has no mercury so it's safe. A little ball rolls inside the sensor to make contact.
  • Analog temp: another temperature sensor
  • Digital temp: and yet another, this time digital.
  • Two color: an LED that can be one of two colors.
  • Button: a simple push button module
  • Photoresistor: analog light level detector
  • IR Emission: output infrared light, can be used with an IR detector
  • Tracking: a simple infrared line tracker, can also be used as a short range proximity sensor
  • Buzzer: an active buzzer.
  • Reed switch: a magnetic field sensor that detects by using two very thin ferrous rods that touch when a magnet pulls them.
  • Shock: A bump or shake detector
  • Temp and Humidity: digital temperature and humidity sensor
  • IR Receiver: to be used with IR transmitter. We'll try to make sure you have both if you have either.
  • Avoid: a proximity detector that uses infrared
  • Passive buzzer: another buzzer, this time passive (you can look up what that means on the internet)
  • Mini reed: another reed switch, magnetic field detector
  • Rotary encoder: a dial that spins around and uses an encoder output.
  • Tap module: another bump detector, detects when it gets tapped
  • Light blocking: a photointerupter, detects when something passes through the small slit. Can be used to tell when a lid is closed, for example.

VORPCHANNEL: C Channel Metal

The Grab Box includes at least 20 pieces of VorpChannel C channel with holes punched every 1/2 inch. This is great for prototyping robotics projects since all the holes give you lots of mount points. They are made of anodized aluminum and may be natural color (aluminum, silvery) or several other colors (red, blue, orange, green).

These parts work well with a set of 3d printed brackets we have created. These brackets are 3d printable and free for printing.

You can obtain the STL files for the brackets by going to [htto://tinyurl.com/VORPALFILES Vorpal File Public Archive] and go to the STL folder then the DD-VORPCHANNEL folder.

There are things like corner brackets, T-brackets, servo mounts, wheels that interface to common servo horns, an Arduino mount, etc. By sliding these into the channel and using one or two screws (M3 or #6-32 are good sizes for the holes) you can quickly put together robotic or other structures for prototyping.