Mechanical Devices for the Electronics Experimenter [Paperback]

C. Britton Rorabaugh (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0070535477 | ISBN-13: 978-0070535473 | Publication Date: March 1, 1995 | Edition: 1

At last! The nuts and bolts of building robotics... MECHANICAL DEVICES FOR THE ELECTRONICS EXPERIMENTER Here's the book electronics experimenters have been waiting for... a how-to book for designing and fabricating the mechnical devices for motion and positioning in robotic applications-as well as others. Filled with easy-to-understand illustrations, this unique guide describes in detail how to: design robot propulsion systems; fabricate components for pneumatic systems; design simple hydraulic systems and motor controller circuits; design and fabricate solenoids, gear trains and cams; adapt parts and components for use in electronics experiments. Harness the use of electromechanical forces with plenty of practical advice and applicable theoretical information. Explore the possiblities of ingenious invention...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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Product Details

• Paperback: 237 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics; 1 edition (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070535477
• ISBN-13: 978-0070535473
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #606,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Valuable supplementary resource, July 9, 2001

By 

E. Glenn Anaiscourt "LA" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mechanical Devices for the Electronics Experimenter (Paperback)

As I understand it, Rorabaugh wrote this book as a supplementary resource for robotics hobbyists, rather than as a primary tool meant to stand on its own. It is valuable within this context. If you have a background in basic electronics and robotics, or are reading this book concurrently with others in these areas, Rorabaugh's book will make sense and add to your understanding. Yes, it is true that I have seen clearer discussions of vector math in other books. The examples on pages 25 and 89 are not very clear. Rorabaugh uses terms like 'annulus' (p. 108) without explaining them ('annulus' refers to any ring or ringlike mark), and on p. 109, he refers to planetary gear trains, which are not described and explained until p. 118. All this being said, for those interested in topics such as levers, gears, wheels and pulleys, encoders, solenoids, springs, and linkages, Rorabaugh will provide you with the introductory theory, formulas, and design ideas you are seeking. I thought the section on pneumatics was good, and I found materials in that section that I have not seen duplicated elsewhere. There are plenty of drawings, and the explanations are concise. You can spend your time hunting through various engineering texts and scattered Web sites and numerous other places for the same material, or you can get a concise introduction to these topics in this one book, and use it as the basis for learning more. I opted for the book, and I am pleased with my decision.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nothing practical, July 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mechanical Devices for the Electronics Experimenter (Paperback)

I bought this book, but regretted it. There is nothing practical in this book. Mostly introduces lots and lots of different, unrelated, mechanical things such as gears, pulleys, etc. Has a completely useless chapter on walking robots, mostly about linkabes.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Intro. to Mechanical Design, October 10, 2000

By 

Nathan Delson (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mechanical Devices for the Electronics Experimenter (Hardcover)

The book is a great intro to basic mechanical design needed to make simple devices with DC motors, gears, pullies, and pneumatic pistons. The author covers the theory in an easy to understand fashion in a very practical way. I use it in my freshmen level design class, where students build simple robots.