Insectronic
The first Insectronic was constructed at Churchill by Tarek Rahim in 2003.
Student interest in this programmable robot surged in 2007, when thirteen
were built. Twenty insectronics are currently well underway (2010-2011).
The robot is fun to build but demands good layout and machining skills.
We use a Nomex professional mitre saw with a 32 TPI blade to cut the
aluminum parts (Lee Valley Tools Ltd.), and a drill press for the holes.
The Hobbico Command CS-60 servos cost about twelve dollars each.
A final note: each student builds his or her own insectronic from scratch.
Karl Williams. 2003. Insectronic: Build Your Own Walking Robot. Toronto: McGraw-Hill, TAB Robotics. ISBN 0-07-141241-7
We are converting the controller for the Insectronic to Arduino. A printed circuit board design for this Arduino controller and supporting details will be uploaded before July 2013.
Arduino Controller
Click the image to view the .pdf file or the text below it for the .DSN file.
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Cameron Tully (Grad 2013), Sean Dao, and Jingjie Lim contributed the schematics.
Insectronic Arduino Controller Mask
Click the image to view the .pdf file or the text below it for the .pdsprj and .lyt file respectively.
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Construction Drawings (Metric)
Click the image to view the .pdf file or the text below it for the .dwg file.
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Construction Drawings (Imperial)
Click the image to view the .pdf file or the text below it for the .dwg file.
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Arduino Printed Circuit Boards
1. Arduino Controller
Students are investigating and testing infrared sensor circuits (January, 2013).
2. Arduino IR Sensor
Students are investigating and testing infrared sensor circuits (January, 2013). A promising design has been submitted by Henry Liu.
Arduino Sketches
Clicking each subtitle produces the source code, and the thumbnail a pdf. REM statements offer operational information.
Bob Yang and Jimmy Hung wrote the code. Michael Margolis, Arduino Cookbook (2011) was their main resource.
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Standalone Arduino on a Breadboard
Pulse Width Modulation
IR Sensor Board Calibration Instructions
Click the image to view the calibration instructions.

PCB Designs
Click the image to view the .pdf file or the text below it for the Proteus Ares layout file.
Produced by Henry Liu, 2010, with permission of Karl Williams, 2005.
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Revised IR Sensors Schematics
Produced by Henry Liu, 2013
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PIC-BASIC Pro Program for PING))) Ultrasonic Sensor
This program works well with the PING))) ultrasonic sensor.
Kenneth Wong adapted Karl Willliams' original code for the Devantech SRF04 Ranger in 2006.
Hobbico CS-60 Servo Specifications
