Building Robot Drive Trains (Tab Electronics) [Paperback]

Dennis Clark (Author), Michael Owings (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071408509 | ISBN-13: 978-0071408509 | Publication Date: September 11, 2002 | Edition: 1

This essential title in "McGraw-Hill's Robot DNA" series is just what robotics hobbyists need to build an effective drive train using inexpensive, off-the-shelf parts. Leaving heavy-duty "tech speak" behind, the authors focus on the actual concepts and applications necessary to build - and understand - these critical force-conveying systems. If you're hooked on amateur robotics and want a clear, straight-forward guide to the nuts-and-bolts of drive trains, this is the way to go. It includes everything you need to build your own robot drive train: The Basics of Robot Locomotion, Motor Types - An Overview; Using DC Motors; Using RC Servo Motors; Using Stepper Motors; Motor Mounting; Motor Control; Electronics Interfacing; Wheels and Treads; Locomotion for Multipods; and Glossary of Terms/Tables, Formulas.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Addressing all aspects of robot locomotion including wheel selection, motors, power transmission, braking, and control systems, detailed sections of this title cover both theoretical and practical elements. A good source for general-purpose robotics designing, the text outlines the advantages and disadvantages of various options. It is also one of the few resources that discuss the problem of designing a robot for outdoor environments and different terrains. (Library Journal )

From the Back Cover

This essential title in McGraw-Hill’s ROBOT DNA SERIES is just what robotics hobbyists need to build an effective drive train using inexpensive, off-the-shelf parts. Leaving heavy-duty “tech speak” behind, the authors focus on the actual concepts and applications necessary to build – and understand -- these critical force-conveying systems.

If you’re hooked on amateur robotics and want a clear, straight-forward guide to the nuts-and-bolts of drive trains, this is the way to go.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BUILD YOUR OWN ROBOT DRIVE TRAIN:
* The Basics of Robot Locomotion
* Motor Types: An Overview
* Using DC Motors
* Using RC Servo Motors
* Using Stepper Motors
* Motor Mounting
* Motor Control
* Electronics Interfacing
* Wheels and Treads
* Locomotion for Multipods
* Glossary of Terms/Tables, Formulas

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics; 1 edition (September 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071408509
• ISBN-13: 978-0071408509
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #471,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brings robotics construction within reach of every hobbyist, November 12, 2002

By 

Ken A. Delahoussaye (Melbourne, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building Robot Drive Trains (Tab Electronics) (Paperback)

This book proves you don't have to own a machine shop or have lots of experience to build a robot. It shows simple and inexpensive techniques that almost anyone can use. The tough part of building a robot is working out the details. How do you attach a wheel to a motor shaft? Which drive type works best? The book gives the answers in an easy to understand, unintimidating style. The author explains terminology and keeps things simple. If you want to build a robot, but don't know where to begin, this is the book for you.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than everything you need to know, February 17, 2003

By 

n0npr0phet "np" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building Robot Drive Trains (Tab Electronics) (Paperback)

Building a robot from the ground up means that the drive train is first. This book provides everything that you need to know but is also inspiring and fun to read. I built most of the circuits in the book and all worked the first time and exhibited the discussed operation. I also built my first Robot drive train and ran into many of the issues that the authors anticipated and for which they provided excellent solutions. I read the book from front to back and it inspired me to build a robot, then as I was building it, from the ground up, I continued to find helpful information using the book as a reference. If you are even thinking about building robots start by reading this book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very well thought out approach to robotic mobile platforms, October 27, 2002

By 

Kerwin L. Lumpkins (Highlands Ranch, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building Robot Drive Trains (Tab Electronics) (Paperback)

If you're into robotics you have probably read the great general texts on the subject. Mobile Robots, Robot Builder's Bonanza, and others. There are enough books out there that cover the topic in general. It seems that the time has come for more specific texts. Building Robot Drivetrains takes on this task with aplomb and unmasked enthusiasm.

The authors have clearly taken great care not only in selecting the approaches to solving the problems of drivetrains, but they took just as much care in planning their delivery. The text flows nicely, with a touch of humor to bring the topic back down to Earth, where humans live and make mistakes, and sometimes need an "obvious" term or concept explained. It is full of tabular data and quick "rules of thumb" for getting on with a design. The authors also took care to present solutions that anyone can implement with just standard tools like a drill, vise and hacksaw wherever possible.

If you want to build your own mobile robot platform, this is a great book to have both for research and general reference.