top of page

FABRICATION

IMG_0665(1)%20(1)_edited.jpg

You're about to fabricate a electronic-based product, just as a technologist may in a manufacturing company.  The quality of your product is directly dependent on the time and care you take with the product assembly!

​

It's exciting to start, but take your time, and enjoy the creation process and READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.   If you have any questions of comments to improve them, please feel free to connect with me with your idea's

​

Once complete, you will not only have a competition ready sumo-bot, but also a very flexible platform for electronics and programming experimentation which have boundless applications!    Enhancements are encouraged!

​

I hope you enjoy the build and HAVE FUN!!

​

-Craig

SAMrI build instructions: Text

TOOLS

You will need these tools to assemble your kit:

Needle-nose pliers

Safety Glasses

Quality Soldering Iron

Side-cutters

Solder

Ruler or Vernier Caliper

SAMrI build instructions: Text

SOLDERING

How do you solder??  Here's a great video to get you up to speed on making a workable solderjoint.

Here's a couple notes not mentioned in this video:
​
  • When pulling your iron away from the solderjoint, drag it up the shaft of the wire.  This will stop the solder from "spiking" toward your iron.
​
  • To clean the flux off after you've finished soldering, scrub the board with a toothbrush and 90% isopropyl alcohol.  This will remove the flux from the board.
​
  • Professionals prefer to "snip" the excess wire off  BEFORE soldering, leaving just a couple mm above the board.   Snipping AFTER soldering can cause micro-fractures in the solder joint which can cause degradation of the joint after a  while.
​
  • Avoid breathing solder fumes, and wash your hands well afterwards to remove the solder and flux residue.
​
  • If you do burn your finger, place it quickly on your wet sponge to cool it down.  ( Not your mouth! )
​
  • Hold the wires as you clip them to avoid them shooting across the room.
​
  • ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!!
​
​
safety glasses
SAMrI build instructions: Text
SAMrI build instructions: Text

PARTS LIST

Check your parts!
Resistors_edited.png

Four 100 ohm ( Brown Black Brown Gold )

Four 4700 ohm ( Yellow Purple Red Gold )

One 330 ohm ( Orange Orange Brown Gold )

9V%20clip_edited.png
L298_edited.png

Three QRD1114 Optical Reflectance Sensors

qrd1114_edited.png
IMG_0550_edited.jpg
LED%20Green_edited.png
IMG_1163_edited_edited.png
Vregulator 1
2x3%20header_edited.png
1x5%20header_edited.png
Brass%20Wire%201_edited.png
1x14%20Header_edited.png
Pushbutton_edited.jpg
IMG_0585_edited_edited.png
PCB Samri
batterypack_edited.png
IMG_1162_edited.png
slide%20switch_edited.jpg
IMG_0481_edited_edited.jpg
IMG_0481_edited_edited.jpg
IMG_1164_edited.png

As you remove your parts and check inventory, you should place them in a suitable storage device such as egg-tray or muffin-tin.   Most parts are small and can easily roll away!  Feel free to check the checkboxes as you locate them.

_edited.jpg

Step 1:  RESISTORS

Install the resistors

100 ohm

SAFETY WARNING: To avoid eye injury when you clip off excess leads, wear safety glasses and hold end of wire when clipping!

​

NOTE: No lead should extend more than 1/8” above the circuit board after it has been soldered and cut off.

Resistors all

Step 1-1

Bend Resistors

Carefully remove the resistors from the tape, and bend the leads downward to fit the circuit board pads

Step 1-2

Install R1, R2, and R3

Place

R1   ( Orange, Orange, Brown, Gold ) 330 ohms

R2   ( Yellow, Purple, Red, Gold ) 4700 ohms

R3   ( Brown, Black, Brown, Gold ) 100 ohms

​

Polarity does not matter.  Place them flush with board solder and clip excess lead.

_edited.jpg
IMG_1166_edited.jpg

Step 1-3

Install R9 R10 & R14

​

R9 ( Yellow Purple Red Gold ) 4700 ohms

R10  ( Brown Black Brown Gold ) 100 ohms

R14 ( Brown Black Brown Gold ) 100 ohms

​

Place them flush to board, solder and clip excess leads.  Polarity not important

​

​

RR7 ( Yellow Purple Red Gold ) 4700 ohms

R8  ( Brown Black Brown Gold ) 100 ohms

R13 ( Yellow Purple Red Gold ) 4700 ohms

​

Place them flush to board and solder and clip.  Polarity not important

​

Step 1-4

Install R7 R8 & R13

IMG_1165_edited.jpg
SAMrI build instructions: Text

Step 2:

CAPACITORS

Install the capacitors

IMG_0549(1)_edited_edited.png
IMG_0550_edited.jpg
8 monocaps.png
SAMrI build instructions: Text

Step 3:

SEMICONDUCTORS

Voltage Regulator and LED

LED%20Green_edited.png
IMG_0583_edited_edited.jpg
Flat side UP

Step 3-1

Mount Voltage Regulator

Place the 78L05 Voltage Regulator in position U1.

​

Caution:  Make sure flat side is UP ( as shown ) and there body should be about 3mm off the PCB surface

​

More Information
SAMrI build instructions: Text
Vregulator 1

Install the capacitors

Step 2:

CAPACITORS

IMG_0549(1)_edited_edited.png
IMG_0550_edited.jpg
8 monocaps.png
Do these 6 Steps...
IMG_0553_edited.jpg

Step 2-1

Prepare Capacitors

Carefully remove monolythic (104 pf ) capacitors from tape. 

​

Two capacitors need to have long leads! 

Step 2-2

Install C1 and C2

Place

C1  104pF Monolythic Cap

C2  104pF Monolythic Cap

​

Polarity does not matter.  Place them flush with board solder and clip excess lead.

IMG_0558_edited.jpg
IMG_0558_edited.jpg

Step 2-3

Install C8 and C9

Place

C8  104pF Monolythic Cap

C9  104pF Monolythic Cap

​

Polarity does not matter.  Place them flush with board solder and clip excess lead.

Step 2-4

Install C12 and C13

Place

C12  104pF Monolythic Cap

C13  104pF Monolythic Cap

​

Polarity does not matter.  Place them flush with board solder and clip excess lead.

IMG_0558_edited.jpg
2021-01-14 13-31-54.095 (2).jpg

Step 2-5

Place

C5  104pF Monolythic Cap

GND  104pF Monolythic Cap

​

Polarity does not matter.  Place them flush with board solder and clip excess lead.

Step 2-6

Install C3

Place

C3  1000uF Electrolytic Capacitor

​

Caution:  Polarity matters!  Negative lead ( with white stripe on case ) towards top!

 

Place flush with board, solder and clip excess lead.

IMG_0557(1)_edited.jpg
2021-01-14 13-31-54.095 (2).jpg

Step 4:

SWITCHES

slide%2520switch_edited_edited.png
Do these 2 Steps...
Pushbutton_edited_edited.png
IMG_0583_edited.jpg

Step 4-1

install Slide Switch

Place Slideswitch in location S1

​

  • There is no polarity

  • Component should be flush with board

  • Solder, and clip excess leads

More Information
SAMrI build instructions: Text

Step 5:

EDGE DETECTORS

Photo-reflective sensors

qrd1114_edited.png
Do these 4 Steps...
IMG_0596_edited_edited.jpg

Step 5-1

Trim Detector Leads

Trim leads on each of the TWO edge detectors to 6mm in length.

​

Leave ONE edge detector leads FULL LENGTH!  This will be the centre sensor.

More Information
SAMrI build instructions: Text

Step 6:

ISP CONNECTOR

Do this Step...
2x3%20header_edited.png
IMG_0665(1)_edited.jpg

Step 6-1

Mount ISP plug

Install the 6-pin IDC male header to location ISP on the circuit boards upper right corner.

​

Make certain it is flush to circuit board.

​

Solder component to PCB

More Information
Read More
SAMrI build instructions: Text

Step 7:

MICROCONTROLLER

IMG_0664(1)_edited.jpg
Do these 5 Steps...
Read More

Step 7-1

Install Sockets

Install two 14-pin sockets in location U2 as shown.  Note location of dimples.

​

  • sSolder to PCB

SAMrI build instructions: Text

Step 8:

MOTOR CONTROLLER

L298_edited.png
Do this Step...
IMG_0664(1)_edited.jpg

Step 8-1

Install L298 Motor Controller

Install the L298 motor controller into location U3 as shown.

​

Solder component to PCB

More Information
Read More
SAMrI build instructions: Text

Step 9:

BRASS WIRE CONNECTORS

IMG_0664(1)_edited.jpg
Do these 7 Steps...
IMG_0599_edited.jpg

Step 9-1

Brass Wire

Locate the brass wire and unroll it carefully.

More Information
Read More
SAMrI build instructions: Text

Step 10:

BATTERY PACK

Do these 2 Steps...
IMG_0613(1)_edited_edited.jpg

Step 10-1

Connect Battery Pack

Without trimming the battery leads, pass the RED wire through the upper large circular pad, and solder to the large square pad.

​

Pass the BLACK wire through the lower large circular pad and solder to the large round pad as shown.

Since your soldering is largely complete, this would be a good time to (optionally) bring out the isopropyl Alcohol and toothbrush and scrub the flux residue off of your circuit boards!

IMG_0617(1)_edited.jpg
SAMrI build instructions: Text

Step 11:

GEARBOX FABRICATION

With the TAMIYA gearbox, you can decide to build several different gear ratio's.   The highest ratio gives you the most torque ( pushing power ) and the quickest stopping, but is the slowest.

​

The lower gear ratio's give you more speed, but less torque.    

​

Note:  Different gear ratio's may reverse the direction of the FORWARD drive, so you may have to modify your program to compensate.

​

Here is a video explanation of building the 114.7:1 version of the gearbox.

​

GB%20Page%201_edited.jpg
114.7 : 1 Gear ratio (Recommended)
114.7 TO 1
344.2 : 1 Gear ratio
344.2 TO 1
Installing Motor
Gearbox_edited.jpg
114.7 : 1 Shown
SAMrI build instructions: Text

Step 12:

MOUNTING GEARBOX TO PCB

Do these 4 Steps...
IMG_0631(1)_edited.jpg

Step 12-1

Solder Cap to Motor Terminal

Pass the  long leaded monolythic capacitor through the motor terminal on each motor with leads extending forward. ( Both Motors )

​

Solder to the terminals

More Information
Read More
SAMrI build instructions: Text

Step 13:

BASEPLATE AND BATTERY

Using two screws from your Gearbox kit, attach the baseplate onto the bottom of the gearbox using the tabs of the gearbox as shown. 

 

Next, insert the O-rings onto each wheel and push them onto the gearbox shafts

IMG_1169_edited.png
IMG_1175_edited.png

Apply the foam tape ( if not already applied ) to the top front of the battery holder as shown.

IMG_1180_edited.png
IMG_1173_edited.png
IMG_1171_edited_edited.png

Use the two mounting pins to install the battery holder as shown. 

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press the 6AA battery back to the sticky foam as shown here

​

​

To change the batteries, remove the pins and pull out the holder and pack together.

IMG_1174_edited.png

Put your allen key, used for tightening up your gearbox, in this little hole on the left side of your chassis.  This will come in handy if your gearbox grub-screw comes loose!

IMG_1189_edited.png

FINAL CHECK:

​

Have a close look to make sure your kit looks similar to these!

IMG_1182_edited.png
IMG_1181_edited.png
IMG_1187_edited_edited.png
SAMrI build instructions: Text

Construction Complete!   

bottom of page