HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: fredm@media.mit.edu (Fred G Martin)
Subject: Re: miniboard parts
Keywords: miniboard
Organization: MIT Media Laboratory
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 15:18:47 GMT

> In article <1992Sep11.132703.17100@bmerh85.bnr.ca>
> carrasco@bmers217.bnr.ca (Sylvano Carrasco) writes: 

> 1)	P6203 	(330 uF, 6.3V elect cap)
>
> 	I was told this part was on back-order.  The girl at the order
> desk said they had a 10V 330uF but I'm pretty sure the can size is
> different (8mm as opposed to 6.5mm).  They did have a axial version
> but I figured it would be too difficult to mount.  The next closest
> value was 220 uF (part #P6202).  Is it okay to lower this cap value?

Yes, it would be okay to substitute P6202.  You are also correct in
noting that the 10V model would be too large and the axial model would
be a bitch to mount.

> 2)	Q3102	(1K x 3 isolated RPACK)
> 
>	I was told this was an 'invalid' part.  I asked the girl to
> check the catalogue.  She said there was a Q2102( 1K x 2 isolated),
> Q4102 (1K x 4 isolated) and Q5102 (1K x 5 isolated) but the 1K value
> didn't come in a x3 format.  Can someone check this?

This is a typo in the parts list.  The part number should be Q2102,
which, in fact, is a 1K x 3 isolated part, not 1K x 2 as the sales rep
thought (weird numbering at work here).

I'll fix the typo now.

> 3)	EG1603-ND	(SPDT miniature slide switch)

Another typo, which I was notified of and fixed a couple weeks ago
(i.e., if you had retrieved the doc's in the last two weeks this would
have been fixed already).

The correct number, as you deduced, is "EG1903-ND".  


> Also I'm looking for the L293D and LM2931Z-5.0.  Does DIGIKEY carry
> it?  I know Active has it but they've screwed around twice in two
> weeks in a big way and I really don't want to be a three time loser.

Digikey carries the LM2931Z-5.0 part, as indicated in the parts list.

Digikey *does not* carry the L293D.  What's wrong with Active?  I've
never had any problems with them, at least the Massachusetts office.
Also try calling Arrow for this part.

Sorry for the typo's, thanks for reporting them.

	- Fred Martin
				   
-- 
Fred Martin | fredm@media.mit.edu | (617) 253-7143 | 20 Ames St. Rm. E15-301
Epistemology and Learning Group, MIT Media Lab     | Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
From: meyer@dbsun.uucp (Don Meyer)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: Stepper motor programs wanted
Date: 10 Sep 92 12:26:30 GMT
Organization: BioMerieux-Vitek, St. Louis Mo.

Re: the Breshenham stepper algorithm -- I'm interested.  Always
curious to see beter ways to run a stepper! :-)

Don


-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
meyer%dbsun.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu        |||     I am at two with nature.
Opinions expressed are personal.         |||       -- Woody Allen
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: hattori@convex.com (Mato Hattori)
Subject: Re: Robot Sumo on TV
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 16:45:46 GMT
Organization: Engineering, CONVEX Computer Corp., Richardson, Tx., USA
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

If you interested in Robot Sumo Competition in Japan,
I can tell you what is it.  Please e-mail me.

Actually, I'm one of contestantof that.
--
Mato Hattori
Convex Computer, U.S.A.       email: hattori@convex.com
3000 Waterview Parkway        office: 1+214-497-4304
Richardson, Texas 75083       home:   1+214-424-4655
From: pvr@wang.com (Peter Reilley)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: Stepper motor programs wanted
Date: 9 Sep 92 18:15:42 GMT
Organization: Wang Labs, Lowell MA, USA

nacs4160@Oswego.EDU ( Marc F. Houde) writes:

>I'm looking for programs to run a stepper motor accurately at high speeds. It 
>is to be used for a project in holography. Please send any info to:

	Is there an archive for such things?   I would find it usefull.
-- 
>>>>>>>>>>>> Peter Reilley ..... pvr@wiis.wang.com ..... KA1LAT <<<<<<<<<<<<<
                     Well, that about says it.
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: sje@xylos.ma30.bull.com (Steven J. Edwards)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: The Springwalker machine
Date: 10 Sep 92 16:09:45 GMT
Reply-To: sje@xylos.ma30.bull.com
Distribution: comp
Organization: Bull HN, Worldwide Information Systems, Billerica, Mass., USA

Yesterday (1992.09.09) I saw a brief piece on CNN about a rather
interesting new apparatus that provides mechanical assistance for
human locomotion.  Called the "Springwalker", the machine consists of
a metal frame worn on the user's back with springs and pulleys that
connect to a part of articulated "legs".  The two mechanical legs are
driven by the user's legs and form the only contact with the ground.
Invented by a physicist, the newly patented device promises to allow
walking speeds of from ten to fifteen meters per second (20-30 MPH).
The idea is that springs connected to the machine legs absorb and
store recoil energy instead of having it be dissipated as heat.

I was interesting to watch.  The springs and pulleys were a bit noisy,
however.  Perhaps the biggest problems were the apparent need for
assistance in mounting and unmounting the machine.

The inventor was hoping for mass production of the devices to bring
the per unit cost down to US$1500 or so.

This definitely looks like something that experimental roboticists
should look at as an alternative to wheel or track based locomotion.

 [The above opinions expressed are my own; not necessarily held by others.]
      == Steven J. Edwards           Bull HN Information Systems Inc. ==
      == (508) 294-3484              300 Concord Road         MS 820A ==
      == sje@xylos.ma30.bull.com     Billerica, MA 01821          USA ==
"That Government which Governs the Least, Governs Best." -- Thomas Jefferson
From: sinster@cse.ucsc.edu (Darren Senn)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: miniboard parts
Keywords: miniboard
Date: 12 Sep 92 17:27:17 GMT
Organization: University of California, Santa Cruz (CE/CIS Boards)
NNTP-Posting-Host: banner.ucsc.edu

In article <1992Sep11.132703.17100@bmerh85.bnr.ca> carrasco@bmers217.bnr.ca (Sylvano Carrasco) writes:
>1)	P6203 	(330 uF, 6.3V elect cap)
>
> I was told this part was on back-order.  The girl at the order desk said they
> had a 10V 330uF but I'm pretty sure the can size is different (8mm as
> opposed to 6.5mm).  They did have a axial version but I figured it would be
> too difficult to mount.  The next closest value was 220 uF (part #P6202).
> Is it okay to lower this cap value?

Actually, the replacement part that my rep. recommended was P5205.  That's
a 330uF 6.3V electrolytic radial cap. which was specifically designed to "meet
the requirements of use over wide temperature range... with the same case size
as the SU series".  P6203 is part of the SU series.  Checking Digikey's
measurements, you can see this:
		P6203			P5205
can height	.441" = 11.2mm		11.2mm
can diameter	.248" =  6.3mm		 6.3mm
leg spacing	.098" =  2.5mm		 2.5mm
leg diameter	.020" =   .5mm		  .5mm
This is the one thing I hate about Digikey: sometimes they give dimensions in
inches, and sometimes in mm.  Grrrr.  I wish they'd keep to one unit.

The one problem with the P5205 is that it's more expensive than the P6203
($.1487 vs. $.0863 are the prices for my mass buy).
-- 
Darren Senn                                            Phone:    (408) 479-1521
sinster@scintilla.capitola.ca.us                       Snail: 1785 Halterman #1
Wasurenaide -- doko e itte mo soko ni anata wa iru yo.     Santa Cruz, Ca 95062
From: sinster@cse.ucsc.edu (Darren Senn)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Miniboard parts kit: rubber mail?
Date: 15 Sep 1992 18:14:42 GMT
Organization: University of California, Santa Cruz (CE/CIS Boards)
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: tioga.ucsc.edu

Well, I got another bounce, this time from Murray Strome.  Just to be
sure I don't get any more, I'm going to solve this in one swell foop.

Following is a list of all names that I have on my order list.  All of
these should have received at least three mailings from me: a schedule,
pricing and ordering information, and clarifications to the ordering
information.  If you didn't receive any of these, please email me.

People on my order list (alphabetical order):
	Karl Altenburg
	Petri M Aukia
	Mark A Battisti
	James Beyer
	Tom Brusehaver
	Brian O Bush
	Mike Butts
	Kaihu Chen
	Clare Bates Congdon
	Eric Conger
	Brent Coursey
	Guido J Deboeck
	Scott L Dodson
	Peter Dunster
	CDR Charles A Floyd
	Erann Gat
	Neil Getz
	Jeffrey J Griglack
	Pat S Harmon
	Holger Himborg
	Lee Hounshell
	Robert E Irie
	Randy Just
	Jonas Karlsson
	Adam Katz
	Alan Kilian
	Kevin Krauel
	Greg A Kulosa
	Mark C Langston
	Clint Laskowski
	Dan Latenser
	Reginald Lee
	Wan-Yik Lee
	Tim Lindholm
	Bob Maccione
	Doug MacKenzie
	Tommi Makelainen
	Toby Martin
	Chuck McManis
	Dhiraj Pathak
	Alex Peck
	Pratap Pereira
	Leslie Picardo
	Gopinath Prabha
	Carlos Puchol
	R Charath Ram
	David Ransier
	Somesh Rao
	Brian Reynolds
	Diego C Ruspini
	John Schafer
	Alan E Scrivner
	Darren Senn
	Monte Seyer
	Bakul Shah
	Pushpinder Singh
	Diana Smetters
	John Stachniewicz
	Murray Strome
	Brian Sullivan
	Steve Talent
	Dennis Venable
	Sjur Vestli
	Neil Viljoen
	Rodney L Weaver
	Richard V Welch
	Gregory Werner
	David A Williams
	Rob Wynden
	Jon Yeargers
-- 
Darren Senn                                            Phone:    (408) 479-1521
sinster@scintilla.capitola.ca.us                       Snail: 1785 Halterman #1
Wasurenaide -- doko e itte mo soko ni anata wa iru yo.     Santa Cruz, Ca 95062
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: pdunster@cc.uow.edu.au (peter dunster)
Subject: miniboard pcb's
Organization: University Of Wollongong
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 92 10:00:41 GMT

We are about to get some PCB's made for the 'miniboard' motor controller.
As with all things, the more we order the cheaper they become. For a
quantity of 100 the price will be aprox. A$6 (US$4-5). If anybody is 
interested in buying any at this price please email me.

Overseas orders OK.

Pete

p.dunster@uow.edu.au

Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: fredm@media.mit.edu (Fred G Martin)
Subject: Re: Sensors Documentation
Organization: MIT Media Laboratory
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1992 13:41:18 GMT

In article <1992Sep5.020440.19866@unixg.ubc.ca> pdivine@unixg.ubc.ca
(Patrick Devine) writes:
>I downloaded and printed out the sensor.PS file at cher.media.mit.edu for
>sensor information on the miniboard (I beleive).  Is this a continuation
>of another document?  I noticed it says "Chapter 2.8" .. I've printed out
>the rest of the miniboard documentation and it's not the same document.

From my original posting announcing the sensor documentation:

>I have re-formatted and placed in the "pub/miniboard/docs" directory
>two excerpts from the "6.270 Robot Builder's Guide" that are relevant
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>to Mini Board projects:
>
>* The file "sensors.PS" illustrates how to build a variety of common
>  robotics sensors which are compatible with the Mini Board.
>
>* The file "chapter6.PS.Z" is a link to the Chapter 6 from the Builder's
>  Guide, which describes the theory of operation of the sensors
>  illustrated in the previous pages.  (Note that this file is stored in
>  binary compressed form, using Unix compress, so it must be transferred
>  using FTP binary mode.)

The document mentioned, the "6.270 Robot Builder's Guide", is the
course notebook I wrote for MIT's LEGO Robot Design Competition.  Some
of you comp.robotics readers may find it interesting.  It's on-line
our server in "pub/6270/docs".  You will need a fair bit of time on
your PostScript printer to print it out (it's 250 pages long).

	- Fred
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: Herman.Woltring@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Herman Woltring)
Subject: Re: Sensing Small Head Movements
Summary: Electromagnetic sensors for rigid-body movement
Keywords: The Bird, Ascension Inc
Organization: Extended Bulletin Board Service
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 22:24:01 GMT

In article <1992Sep11.160621.23893@mail.cornell.edu>
Richard Zimmerman <rsz1@cornell.edu> writes:

>I need a way to sense both head rotation and head tilt.  I would like to
>do it as inexpensively and as unobtrousively as possible (I don't want to
>build some huge cage to place on your head)  It also needs to be pretty
>accurate.  I using the device to sense head movements in a stereo-vision
>application.  Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated...
>
>---- Richard Zimmerman (rsz1@cornell.edu)

Look into the FAQ for sci.vr-worlds (if I recall the newsgroup name
correctly).  A relatively low-cost device is The Bird from Ascension
Inc. in Burlington, VT, USA.  It is an electromagnetic device that
provides real-time position and attitude (attitude matrix, Cardan
angles, and/or quaternions) of a sensor w.r.t. a source.  Each con-
tains three mutually perpendicular coils which are pulse-driven at
the source whence position and attitude of the sensor w.r.t. the
source can be assessed.
 
There are various opto-electronic and ultrasonic systems, but they
are much more expensive.
 

Herman J. Woltring <woltring@nici.kun.nl>
Moderator, Biomch-L@nic.surfnet.nl
 
Biomch-L is a ListServ-operated email forum in the field of Biomechanics
and Movement Science under the Patronage of the International Society of
Biomechanics, currently with more than 600 subscribers world-wide.
Subscription is possible by sending the one-line request
     SUBSCRIBE BIOMCH-L first_name last_name
in the main body of an email note (Subj: line irrelevant) to
ListServ@nic.surfnet.nl.
--
   The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University of
     North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Campus Office for Information
        Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service.
           internet:  bbs.oit.unc.edu or 152.2.22.80
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: monty@sagpd1 ()
Subject: Nedd Help finding a manufacturer
Reply-To: monty@sagpd1.UUCP (Monty Saine)
Organization: Scientific Atlanta, Government Products Div, San Diego, CA
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 14:55:00 GMT


	I apologize if this is the wrong group to ask for help, but it seemed
    like a likely canidate for people with a hacker heart.

	I recently came into possesion of a portable graphic workstation by
    the name of MNEMOS-I made by a company called ISR Systems, Inc. in
    Trenton, New Jersey. 08628.

	What I would like to find is any information related to the internals
    of this beast. I want to program an application for it. The unit has a 
    80c88, TMS34010 and a 6845 graphics display chip in it. It also has a 
    built in scsi port and came with a sony cd-rom drive. I know (or at
    least strongly beleive) that it has drivers in rom for the touch screen
    that covers the lcd display and any information such as memory maps,
    schematics or any other information as to it's workings would be greatly 
    appreciated. The phone company has no listing for ISR Systems in Trenton
    so any info about the where abouts or history of the company would be
    also appreciated.

    Thanks in advance,

    Monty Saine

    (619) 679-6256	days (8-5 PST) work
    (619) 272-7468	eves - home
    (619) 272-1403	Fax on shared voice line


Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: hbg6@phx.mcd.mot.com (John Schuch)
Subject: Re: defn. "slip ring"
Keywords: slip ring(s)
Organization: Motorola Computer Group, Tempe, Az.
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 13:11:01 GMT

In article <.59@ccs.carleton.ca> @ccs.carleton.ca writes:
>In article <1992Sep13.064605.18798@rti.rti.org> jb@rti.rti.org writes:
>
>>"slip ring [ELEC] A conductive rotating ring which, in combination with
>>a stationary brush, provides a continuous electrical connection between

>If that's the case, would the following work ...
>
>Using printed circit boards, as described elsewhere, etch the a series
>of circles on the boards. Use small ball bearings as brushes and the

I have built one that worked fairly well but it was a little complicated.

Last chance to bail out before the long-winded explanation.


First obtain a short length of copper tubing and a phenolic/plastic/com-
posite or otherwise non-conductive rod. The non-conductive rod should
fit inside the tubing snuggly but you should be able to slide the tubing
over the rod with little dificulty. I used 1/4" I.D. tubing and a
phenolic rod. I turned the rod to the appropriate size on a small
bench-top lathe.

Obviously the rod/tubing combination will be the rotating member.
The assembly I made had 4 conductors but this method could be used to
make much larger assemblys.

Carve four channels in the side of the rod displaced 90 degrees from
each other. These channels should be slightly larger than the wire
you are going to use.

Cut off four 1/4" lengths of tubing. These pieces should not be deformed
and should still slide over the rod. make sure the edges are smooth
and free of burrs.

Cut 4 pieces of wire, each about 6 inches long. Strip about 1/16"
of insulation from one end. Solder that end to the INSIDE of one
of the pieces of copper tubing. Make the solder joint as small as
possible.

At this time you should have the rod with four channels in it,
and four little pieces of tubing each with a piece of wire soldered
to the INSIDE.

Mix up a small amount of two-part non-conductive epoxy. Slide one
of the rings ( copper tube piece with wire ), with its wire in one
of the channels about 1 inch up the rod. Apply a coat of epoxy to
the rod NEXT TO the ring, then slide the ring into the epoxy.

Slide the next ring onto the rod with its wire in the next channel,
and over the previous rings wire. Move it to within a half inch
of the previous ring, apply epoxy, slide ring into place.
Repeat this step for remaining rings.

After the epoxy cures, place the rod assembly in a small lathe and
and place a VERY SMALL 'V' groove in the center of each ring. Then
polish the assembly taking care not to harm the wires.

I dismantled several small electric motors and took their brush
assemblies, which are actually spring-steel wires, and used them
for the wipers.

This worked very well for my application, hope it helps with yours.

NOTICE: Granted, this method is not for everybody. I is best suited
        to someone who has a lot more time than money. Unfortunatly
        I seem to be a life member in that club.

John Schuch
From: sinster@cse.ucsc.edu (Darren Senn)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: Miniboard Kit: email problems
Date: 5 Sep 92 15:46:13 GMT
Organization: University of California, Santa Cruz (CE/CIS Boards)
NNTP-Posting-Host: banner.ucsc.edu


Would these people please contact me via email?  I tried to send parts kit
information to them, but my email addresses for them don't work.
	Murray Strome
	Petri M Aukia
-- 
Darren Senn                                            Phone:    (408) 479-1521
sinster@scintilla.capitola.ca.us                       Snail: 1785 Halterman #1
Wasurenaide -- doko e itte mo soko ni anata wa iru yo.     Santa Cruz, Ca 95062
Newsgroups: comp.robotics,sci.electronics
From: kilian@cray.com (Alan Kilian)
Subject: Neural net chip from Micro Devices
Organization: Cray Research, Inc.
Date: 9 Sep 92 15:05:57 CDT

Occasionally someone asks about a chip that does Neural nets.
Here is a chip from Micro Devices (Not Advanced Micro Devices)
From EDN November 22 1990 PP 26

Micro Devices' MD1220 Neural Bit Slice (NBS) can propel you into
tomorrow's real-time neural network systems today.
Each device contains eight neurons with fifteen "hard-wired" synaptic
inputs per neuron. For designs that require more synaptic inputs per
neuron, expansion through "virtual" synapses is easily accomplished
with modest additional hardware. MD1220s can be cascaded or paralleled 
to provide a neural network of practically unlimited size, with more
than 256 synapses per neuron.

An evaluation kit is available with an XT/AT board and two MD1220s, 
software and a "Broom balancing" fixture for $395.00

Contact:
Micro Devices
30 Skyline Drive
Lake Mary, FL 32746-6201 USA
Tel (407) 333-4379
FAX (407) 333-4479
-- 
 -Alan Kilian           kilian@cray.com 612.683.5499 (Work) 612.729.1652 (Home)
  Cray Research, Inc.   655 F Lone Oak Drive, Eagan  MN, 55121 
                        "It's based on actual math". -Dilbert
From: Richard Zimmerman <rsz1@cornell.edu>
Subject: Sensing Small Head Movements
X-Xxdate: Fri, 11 Sep 92 12: 11:05 GMT
Nntp-Posting-User: rsz1@cornell.edu
Organization: Cornell University
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d7
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 16:06:21 GMT

I need a way to sense both head rotation and head tilt.  I would like to
do it as inexpensively and as unobtrousively as possible (I don't want to
build some huge cage to place on your head)  It also needs to be pretty
accurate.  I using the device to sense head movements in a stereo-vision
application.  Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated...

---- Richard Zimmerman (rsz1@cornell.edu)
From: nivek@cs.cmu.edu (Kevin Dowling)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: slip rings
Date: 10 Sep 92 15:39:33 GMT
Reply-To: nivek@cs.cmu.edu
Organization: Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon

An inexpensive and working slip ring can be obtained in the Fischertechnik
construction system. Fischertechnik is kind of superadvanced Lego or Meccano
set. They're from West Germany but are sold by some toys stores in this country.

				nivek



---

aka: Kevin Dowling			Carnegie Mellon University
tel: (412) 268-8830			The Robotics Institute
adr: nivek@rover.ri.cmu.edu		Pittsburgh, PA 15213
From: michael@uk.ac.oxford.robots (& Stevens)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: Stepper motor programs wanted
Date: 8 Sep 92 23:25:10 GMT
Organization: Dept. Engineering Science, Oxford University, UK
In-reply-to: nacs4160@Oswego.EDU's message of 8 Sep 92 20:25:00 GMT

In article <1992Sep8.202500.27325@oswego.Oswego.EDU> nacs4160@Oswego.EDU ( Marc F. Houde) writes:
 I'm looking for programs to run a stepper motor accurately at high speeds. It 
 is to be used for a project in holography. Please send any info to:

Three years ago I was also looking to control steppers. At the time I
had varying velocity demands coming in to a drive motor, simple I
thought.  Open loop positioning, so all you have to do is work out from
the velocity demand what the step interval should be.

When implemented things actualy looked harder. The system had a fixed
time quantisation interval (tick). This tick quantisation could be
quite significant compared to the step period.

An addition all this had to be done very quickly, the only time was on
the interupt period of a simple 8 bit microprocessor. This made me
think of Breshenham's line draw algorithem. Fast, integer only,
naturally fitting to a quantisation problem.

The stepper motor problem required that the velocity (gradient) could
be varied on the fly, and could also be +ve, and -ve. Two descision
variables are required to cope with this modified case. The big
advantage of this was the algorithm has no residual error. If the
velocity required doesn't quantise in time exactly the output will
still run at the correct velocity 'on average'. The residual error is
carried over to the next time step and added to whatever the new
velocity is.  Formally: The stepper will be exactly at the same
position as the integral of the velocity demands to get position.

At the time I did a quick literature survey to see if others had
applied a Breshenham like method, but nothing came up. Has anyone else
done something similar? Anyone interested in the algorithm?


--
Michael Stevens, Robotics Research Group,Dept of Engineering Science,Oxford,UK
INTERNET: michael@robots.oxford.ac.uk