Hi there, my name is Tez, I have just completed EZ-Robotifying my G15 KS. Not a technical term but sounds good anyway. All the servos are now EZ and are controlled by the EZ-B v4 controller. The motors that allow the G15 KS to move around are now powered separately by a Sabertooth 2x12 which in turn is also controlled by the EZ-B v4 controller. A camera is present a shown in the images below. In addition to the camera is a Sharp HC-SR04 that is being used to help the ex-meccanoid now know as Jeeves to avoid objects. The meccabrain still remains within the frame as it may be useful later on in drone mode. I am awaiting my EZ grippers to replace the original plastic static hands. I also have a Revolution JD. Kitted out in a similar fashion to Jeeves (ex-meccanoid). Both robots are being used in conjunction with Emotiv EEG headsets. As my aim is to control them using just thought. I can get both robots to carry out actions by facial movements and eye blinking and winking. Pure thought is proving to be a bit difficult. If it was easy it probably wouldn't be worth while. I hope that the images below will show clearly what I have done so far. There is a long way to go yet.
This is Jeeves.
This close up shows my modifications to install a camera and distance sensor. I have also changed the arrangement of the neck and head servos to allow Jeeves to nod vertically for yes and horizontally for no.
Here is a rear view showing the EZ controller and connections and the bracket holding the Meccano battery and the Sabertooth 2x12. The meccano battery means the motors have a separate power supply.-635975794375180196.jpg)
A close up of the battery and Sabertooth 2x12.
A close up of the EZ controller and head and neck servo arrangement.
I have also changed the rear wheel castors for for metal ball bearing castors. These give less resistance than the plastic ones from meccanno
Finally, the best little robot a programmer like myself could own. My Revolution JD.
This is the first time I have used the forum. I hope I have used your forum correctly.
Other robots from Synthiam community
Fxrtst's Quantum Lift- Model CR-99
Jstarne1's Meet " Squeegee" , The Flooring Mopping Robot ,...
It's nice that the chassis has places to mount those shelves - as it really makes it easy to mount additional components on the back.
Really clean install - I'm impressed! Thank you for sharing.
It will be exciting to see a video one you've taught him a few ez-tricks!
I'd love to see further details on your mod, and a video when you can! I'm assuming you replaced the servo's for more torque? My preference would be to use the standard servo's to allow selectable control via the EZB4 or the meccabrain, as my daughter still likes playing with him in LIM mode, but I'm more after autonomous behavior.
I cant wait to see some how to videos.
Im so glad you posted.
This is my mecanoid now know as Jeeves.
My reason for purchasing G15 KS is simple I wanted to build a much larger robot than my Revolution JD. My Revolution JD as I have stated in the post is a fantastic robot. The Revoluton JD is used 50% of the time to test algorithms which I then try out on Jeeves (ex-meccanoid).
Let's take a look at how the meccanoid became Jeeves.
Step 1: I purchased two developer kits from EZ-Robot through a firm in the UK. I knew this would be more than I needed but I was pretty sure I would make use of most of the components in the kit.
Step 2: I needed to fit a controller onto Jeeves some how. This was accomplished using to small plastic bracket fitted on the back of Jeeves. Another bracket was fitted to hold the lipo batteries. 7.4 volt 1300mah 25C. I then fixed the EZ controller and the batteries to the brackets. The robot is also powered using a Manson EP-925 DC power supply. I cannot keep charging batteries because when testing algorithms I may need him to run for hours. At this point I had decided to remove the meccabrain.
Step 3: This was the step that made me quite nervous. Could I change the meccano servos for EZ. I tried to change one of the lower arm servos. The servo casings were very easy to pull apart. The EZ servo slotted straight in. However, there was one small problem. One of the bolts that hold the servo in the bracket has a nut on the other side that the meccano servo holds in place and the EZ does not. The meccano servo is slightly wider. I overcame this by placing a small piece of blu-tac to hold the nut in place. I then continued to change all the servos. First the three on the left arm. Then the right arm. Then finally the neck and the head. Then using servo extension cables I connected the eight servos to the controllers. Please make sure that each servo can rotate through its complete movement without pulling on the cables. You do not want the movement to pull cables out of the controller. I then fired up ARC and using the Auto Position plug-in and the animator. I tested all the servo movements. Success.
Step 4: While testing I noticed that I could get Jeeves to gesture no, but not yes. So I rearranged the head and neck servos as shown in my original photos. Jeeves can now gesture yes and no. Not really sure why meccano arranged them the way they did but it doesn't matter now. I also changed the orientation of the elbow servos. This allows the arms to be brought in front of the Jeeves. One small point when using the animator or direct programming make the servo move slowly. If you don't it will cause Jeeves (ex-meccanoid) to rock quite a bit. Slowing movement slightly, cured the problem.
Step 5: With all the servos working. Let's look at the motors that make it move. As these motors require quite a bit of power I decided to use the battery setup provided by meccano. All I needed now was a way to control the motors from the EZ controller. This is achieved by installing a Sabertooth 2X12 motor driver. I fixed a bracket like the one shown in the video that was big enough to hold the meccano battery and the Sabertooth. Please remember to place some washers under the sabertooth to raise it up from the plastic surface. This will ensure that heat dispurses better. When this is complete you are ready to wire up. For a step by step guide go to the forum and there you will find a brilliant guide that will take you through all the steps required to wire the sabertooth. The title of the guide is "Sabertooth 2x25 And Ez-b V4 Simply Serial Connection" and was created by Steve G from the UK. Work your way through this. It is exactly what I did, to the letter. The link to his tutorial is shown below.
https://www.ez-robot.com/Community/Forum/Thread?threadId=8899
The only addtion I made was to include a switch on the power supply and a connector to allow me to disconnect the power to the battery and connect the charger to the meccano battery.
Well that's all I did and as you can see in the video it works.
What's next?
I think by running a strip of aluminum across the center and mounting the hip servo to it might work well. Heres a pic.
What do you think?
Have you done anymore with meccanoid and ez-robot since your last posting? If so, can you give any updates?
I have a G15KS crying out for an EZ make over so any further info would be eagerly awaited.
Geoff.
https://www.ez-robot.com/Community/Forum/Thread?threadId=9320&page=2
and this:
https://www.ez-robot.com/Community/Forum/posts.aspx?threadId=7359&page=6
should get you started
Its a very nice build base for EZB. I am not shure if i keep the meccanoid servos or use HDD servos. Will do some testing.
I am also testing EZ servo's.
Big advantage I can see so far is metal gears over meccanoid plastic ones.
Be interested in your thoughts.
i got one too .xl model.original servo are not good ,you cant pic up a little nut.
am changing into HDD.they are quit and stay stil when power on.
does any one know if the horn of original servo mecanoid fit to HDD ? ez servo.
It was driving me nuts, and so i had to pull my project down and install a new servo to replace it..doesn't move when powered on now thankfully.
I am also converting a 4 ft meccanoid to ez control.
The meccanoid servo horns will fit Hdd and most other servo's.
I would be interested to hear about your progress.
They loose position and are not smooth.
I am waiting for 8 HDD servos to arrive.
the horns of mecano are in two pieces.when you screw them on a HDD,
only the back will be tight.you have to use wacher to bolt them together,
on a servo.
Thanks for that.
I am trying to devise a walking system using the wheels to do a sort of shuffle.
I think the weight will be to great to have servo's moving hinged legs.
The idea comes from Mindstorms Ev3 robots.
Great video, great robots, well done!
can i use them with ezbv4 ?they dont seems to work.
Most ordinary servo's will fit in place of meccano ones.
i used the HDD ones from ez robot.
thanks
hey any progress on your meccanoid tez?
and idd slow down the motions is best,even with HDD servo.
what i also did,is remove the plate from upper arm.it makes the arm chorter,
but stronger.more surprizes later .is it ok that i use your topic for maccanoid?
I am rather poorly at moment but still trying to convert mine to the Ez platform.
All ideas wellcome.
what do you need to do then.
Hi.
I have converted one arm and trying to make a gripper but so far it works in reverse ie open when it should be closed.
If I sort this out will convert other arm.
Regards.
open the gripper then reposition the gripper.
BTW -toys r us has the dev 6 servos on clearance for 4.99 ea.
Don't you think Tezsmith's Meccano robot looks a lot like ROBERTO from Futurama!? @tezsmith where did you say you got his brain from?
Just don't go so far as to make ROBERTO 2.0! Then we will have some trouble!
Hi tezsmith, have not seen any up to date information on your Meccano Project.I want to take this time to say thank you for your tutorial and video which has help me very much with my Meccano Project.
I noticed that the forearms and their servos in your pictures were mounted/connect differently than in your demo video, any reason?
How did you mount/connect the sensor and camera to the black board? I was thinking of using BLU TACK.
Can you provide a copy of the EZ-B script used in your demo video?
Here are some changes I'm working on:
1. All shelves and boards are clear plastic
2. Using EZ-Robot 2.5 Amp HBRidge instead of a Sabertooth (per DJ recommendation)
3. Adding on/off switches
4. Alternative hands - made with gloves and foam/paper inserts
5. Salvage the LED Eyes module.
6. Use voice recognition/Alexa to get Meccano to perform
You help will be greatly appreciated, thank you.
I will provide my conversion process and a demo video when I have finished my first version..
Lets keep in touch, thanks again.
1. Updated all servos to EZ servos
2. Reconfigure the head & neck servos to make yes/no gestures
3. Mounted a camera & sonar sensor
4. Reconfigured the Meccanoid LED assembly for eyes
5. Using EZ-Robot 2.5 Amp HBRidge instead of a Sabertooth (per DJ recommendation) with existing wheels, battery & charger
6. All shelves and boards are clear plastic
7. Added on/off switches
8. Have done very limited testing
Once the final testing is completed successful, I will be investigating how to use voice recognition/Alexa to get Talos to perform.
I found these suggestions to incorporate Alexa to control the robot https://synthiam.com/Search/using%20amazon%20Echo.
I would appreciate comments & suggestions, thank you.
bolt are great meccanoid robots . i made some wristblock to give the meccanoid a turneble wrist .
meccaSend.zip