Product Description

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. A clear, straight-forward guide to the nuts and bolts of robot drive trains. Softcover.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #315067 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

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

About the Author
Dennis Clark has degrees in electrical engineering technology and computer science and is a graduate student in behavioral robotics at Colorado State University. Mr. Clark has authored a series of articles on behavioral robotics for the European hobbyist magazine Elektor.

Michael Owings is a freelance software developer. He lives and works in southern Louisiana.

Customer Reviews

Brings robotics construction within reach of every hobbyist
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.

More than everything you need to know
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.

Very well thought out approach to robotic mobile platforms
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.