Jessica Tavares
Tools · Parts · Assembly · Troubleshooting · Conclusion
Tools needed for soldering
Tools needed for Mechanical Assembly
Circuit Board parts
Mechanical Parts
To begin with soldering the PCB find a workspace large enough, and with proper ventalation. Next you need to make sure you have all the tools listed at hand. Then plug in your soldering iron, and get your sponge moist. Now you are ready to begin soldering. The instruction manuel that comes with the kit will have you solder the resistors first. Then the Diode, IC, and Phototransistor. Remember to watch for the polarity on the parts when you solder them. From here you will add the Variable resistor which will adjust "the sensitivity of the sensors". The Slide switch to turn the robot on and off, and the Terminal pins for the battery, motors, and LED are next to be soldered. Transistors are next, just remember polarity is very important espesially when installing the Ceramic and Electrolytic capacitors after the transistors. Finally Youare done with the PCB. The only thing left to solder is the LED to the wires.
When you are done test the board by appling all the wires, motors, batteries, and LED to the Terminal Pins. Check if the Phototransistor works. If this works then check the motors. If the motors work than you have a working PCB board.
To begin with find a workspace large enough for all of the parts and tools you will need. Then you need to make sure you have all the tools you need to assemble the spider. To begin you will assemble the base of the legs. Then the motor housing, which includes the gears. Next you will include the battery housing. Finally you will attach the legs, and wire all the wires through the dome. Retest the connections and incert the motors in their housing. Add batteries, and you have a complete robot.
If any of the parts do not work double check everything you have done. Then if everything is correct use the Troubleshooting guide provided with your kit. If this still dose not fix the problem email the OWI Inc. customer service (or whoever sold you the kit) and request assistance with your problem. Remember test your circuit board after soldering. Then test the completely assembled robot to avoid any overlooked issues ASAP. This is the best plan of action when building anything.
I personally have only one problem with my spider. The left legs were not made properly, and in effect my robot walks slow and not quite strait. I have disassembled, and reassembled it 3 times. Each time I get the same effect. So, in my case it is a manufacture defect. My suggestion is to contact the company and order a replacement part. I have not recieved the part yet. So, I can not fix it.
In conclusion I have learned alot about assembly, and I was able to enhance my skills in soldering. Troublshooting for this project was very light. I only had one problem and it was with the walking assembly on the left side. I have completely enjoyed this project, and hope to find a job in the industry that will cater to my creativity, and need to design. I see the future of robotics a facinating and endless journey to places we have never been before.
Thank you for looking at my project. May it inspire those of minds like mine, and intrigue those who may have never considered robotic before.
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