Asked
— Edited
Is it possible to use AX-12A Professional Robot servos with the EZ-Robot kit? I'm making a are out to test some ideas and the servos that came with my bot kit are not strong enough. I want to use AX-12A Servos form http://www.trossenrobotics.com/dynamixel-ax-12-robot-actuator.aspx
Is this Possible?
Hello rashad , welcome to EZ Robot! Yes you can use dynamixel servos but honestly unless you really need 1024 position resolution instead of rc servos 255 positions then its not worth your trouble. I imagine you still want to know how they work.
Dynamixel is considered Ferrari of servos so they don't mind making things difficult. Take in mind im not suggesting they are right for you. They use a TTL serial connection. You need to have have a ttl controller for each servo. Each servo will use two digital ports on ezb. Here is a high tech drawing..... (not hardly lol) you need this chip called a tri state buffer.74LS241N http://html.alldatasheet.com/html-pdf/28082/TI/SN74LS241N3/25/1/SN74LS241N3.html
Personally given the complications most cases a nice digital servo will do the job for much less work. For cheap servos that are also strong I use 1501mg power hd 26 usd 240oz in torque or ezrobot store high torque servos 133 oz in torque 13 usd. Servos that come with the kit are not heavy duty but I assure you we have plenty of simple solutions to suggest over the complexity of the dynamixel serial drop setups.
Wow thanks for the great Ideas. This is what I'm making and trying to accomplish using potentiometers from some joystick guts I have. They will allow me to add up to eight pots and 16 buttons. It just seems like my batteries run out fast or my servos do not deliver enough power to run longer than 5 minutes. I want an arm that cost $25 to build insted of $250 by some other company.
Are you using the 6 AA cells shown in your photo? That could be why battery life isn't great...
That's exactly what I'm using @RichMR2. What should I use instead?
I want to do the same thing they are doing but with my EZ-Robot board and software. I also want to take there products and make lighter versions of them using foam. But more importantly the ability to use Dynamical servos. I wish some body make shield for the EZ-B so we don't have to change the hardware an it fits right in existing pin configuration. I love what EZ B is doing but if we can make it program like Arboitix Controller using the same software or something like it,OMG. Check Out what they are doing.
Projects Using the ArbotiX Controller
just awesome.
There are a lot of options for powering the EZB. The FAQ states a 7.2v battery from an RC is ideal, many use 6v or 12v SLA and parallel them to increase the capacity. LiIon cells are another good choice, as are LiFe cells. I personally use a 5000mAh 7.4v LiPo cell but may throw more in to increase time needed between charges.
Basically, you want something with high capacity and between 6v and 12v, or better yet a fixed power supply from an old appliance which can supply between 6v and 17v, I use an old DVD 12v power supply for bench testing which works great. Josh recently posted about using an ATX PSU which would be another good option for bench testing.
Are you say saying just grab an ATX and plug it right in? That would make sense. My makerbot use one and all of its connections. Also I need something stronger maybe a servo that can turn like 1lb with no issues.
https://synthiam.com/Community/Questions/2602 for the ATX PSU info.
As for the servos, I have little idea on that front but I'm sure someone else will come along and chip in.