aluminumwelder
HI I'm a newbie and appreciate any help I can get. I already did a search for photographer and sony party shot and did not see any previous discussion. Here is what I want to make.
Basically it is an Irobot Create with a light 4.75 ft tall aluminum pole on which a sony party shot module is mounted on top of. If there is a better robot base to use let me know. I would like to keep the total project cost under $600. I already have $100 invested in the sony partyshot+digital camera. the sony party shot is basically an automatic camera system that has facial detection that will automatic scan and rotate the surroundings looking for people to take photos of. I envision using it at corporate parties, weddings and just random stuff for fun.
I have never done any robotics work, but I am very techy. My programming experience is very small. I took a BASIC class about 12 years ago in college.
I may add a R2D2 Skin over the unit to give it a starwars theme, but I'm worried about weight and balance. It maybe too top heavy. It needs to be around 4.5 to 5 feet tall total so the photos look like they were taken at a normal angle. I will probably add some kind of bumper system at the top, because it's bound to get knocked over. I may also weld up some aluminum tube anti tip extentions so the unit is harder to knock over.
OK, that's the background here is my questions. I want to program it to randomly go around a room and pause for say 40 seconds , scan and take shots, then move around 10 to 15 feet in any random direction and start all over. I think the Create base will need to stop or the camera will get too confused and not do a good job. I have never used either device so perhaps this hypothesis is incorrect. I looked at the Create Module's instructions and see that it has some demo modes
"MODE 0 Cover Create attempts to cover an entire room using a combination of behaviors, such as random bounce, wall following, and spiraling."
I like mode zero, but I think I would only want random bounce, not spiraling. Can anyone recommend a programmer to do this?
I also want some kind of sensor so that it does not run into objects and people. I've seen the roomba hit things before they change direction. I'd prefer the sensor be used to avoid hitting things; i was thinking a 2' proximity would be fine.
Should I jsut buy the $235 ez robot kit with the Create module from irobot? Has someone already made a robot that does this sort of thing I can just buy? Seems like a pretty basic function set, but I've never built a robot.
Any other suggestions will be appreciated. thanks for your time.
PS originally posted this at the robotreviews.com forum, but someone suggested this set.
yes thats the one and JUNUN is where i get mine too,cheapest i found is there
sonars AT EZ-ROBOT has wide cones,and you would need a tube plus foam material to have a narrow cone
at the same time they are 5 ma current draw ,compare to sonars like the ones robot store sells at 35 ma current draw,plus higher accuracy second you need 2 in the back in case a person walks in back of the robot or the robot bumps into something.
When you get them its little different pins to hook it up.but still works the same as EZ-ROBOT types
On IR if you want narrow detection you set it on top of sonar vertical laying it flat or horizontal you get wide detection or wide cone pattern
thanks, I guess I'll spend the extra money and get the narrow cone ones even if they are 3x the price, looks like I need a total of 7! 3 in front 2 on the sides 2 in the back.
I guess building robots is an expensive hobby! $300 bucks in sensors right off the bat. Not sure my $600 budget is going to take this abuse.
as far as welding 1/4" aluminum, you're gonna have a tough time getting full penetration at only 175 amps, aluminum is a great heat sink, and you need around/over 200amps to do 1/4 aluminum well. And you'll also need a 220v power source so hopefully you know how to do residential wiring. http://www.longevity-inc.com/productcategory_38/TIG-Welders.php the 200dx might work for you @ $900.00
can buy a 5 pack for $124.75 and add 2 more at about $30 each or buy 10 at $219.50
yeah I'll probably just get the 10 pack, but by the time you add S&H and buy 7 IR sensors, i'm up to $300 easily.
last time shipping was very cheap,i always buy 10 at a time i think i am up to $10,000 easy on my robot designs and machine shop
second what i see about TIG welder there are a lot of controls ,compare to a MIG WELDER with only 2 controls,looking for a cheap welder since very little use of it
ALSO dont need it for strengh .only it doesnt go side to side with one rivet in the center
it is 1/2 inch wide angle aluminium most are 1/8 thick ,but some 1/4inch with 1/8 inch made into a frame design,like aluminium 4 sided box shape
I kinda made a big mistake ,i am not using 1/4 inch aluminium as much its 1/8 inch to 1/8 inch and some 1/8 inch to 1/16 inch angle aluminium 1/2 inch wide,and just a few spot welds to help it from moving instead of using 2 rivets.
need my frame as very light as possible
the 160sx will do that easily then, it is a harder learning curve than mig from what I have read, but also makes a very nice weld.
not too much worried about a nice weld since it wont be seen,problem with me is learning curve.i think is way over my head and looks very hard to use.
so need to ask around for cheapest way,easy to setup and still do a fair job ,only a tack weld is what i really need
So far what i found is a $400 mig welder 175 amps with spool gun and gas regulator,plus free shipping and says it does welds up to 3/8 inch thick aluminium( lotos MIG175)