Author Archives: engineerzero

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About engineerzero

Once and future engineer.

DNA modeling in Sketchup

Posted on October 22, 2012 by engineerzero

I’ve been working a series of videos called ‘Modeling Molecules,’ the goal of which is to show how to make a ball and stick model of a strand of DNA helix in Sketchup. The above picture shows my progress so … Continue reading →

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Metrix Robot

Posted on October 17, 2012 by engineerzero

This is the robot that I learned how to make at Metrix Create Space during the robotics class on September 30. It uses an ATTiny microcontroller and Tower Pro microservos. We learned how to convert the servos from fixed to … Continue reading →

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Dual Sensor Mode in Processing

Posted on August 6, 2012 by engineerzero

Here is GRIS in Processing, revised to accommodate dual sensor mode communications between the computer and robot. The square on the left flashes data, while the square on the right flashes the clock signal. Each data bit lasts two frames. … Continue reading →

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dual sensor test rig photos

Posted on August 1, 2012 by engineerzero

That completes the hardware set-up for the dual sensor test. Now onto the software test phase. (Psst — the circuit has one glaring flaw, which I have since corrected. Can you spot it in the photos?)

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Dual sensor test rig

Posted on July 30, 2012 by engineerzero

This week I’ll be testing a new screen-reading protocol for Grisbot, involving two sensors. For that I’ll need a test rig. It will be contained in a box — Pop Tarts is the prime candidate — to be held up … Continue reading →

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Robot Revision

Posted on July 27, 2012 by engineerzero

Grisbot continues to evolve as I learn more about how everything goes together. According to my count, on the right is Grisbot Design #5 in Sketchup. It’s a little bit shorter, and about an inch wider than before. I think … Continue reading →

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Grisbot in Acrylic, Assembled (sort of)

Posted on July 26, 2012 by engineerzero

It looks nice in this picture. But there are big problems. I won’t show the video; it’s way too embarrassing (and I’m wondering how I got the robot to turn so precisely a few months ago!). Even though I trimmed … Continue reading →

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Shortening Servo Wires (aka ‘Cables’)

Posted on July 25, 2012 by engineerzero

My robot looked so nice in Sketchup, but that’s because I omitted the wiring. As you can see from the above photo, the servo wires just don’t fit even though I’ve trimmed them once already. I also had to solder … Continue reading →

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Post Laser Cut Checkfit

Posted on July 18, 2012 by engineerzero

The first laser cutting for Grisbot went smoothly and the blue acrylic is beautiful. Now let’s do a checkfit as the Sketchup design encounters the physical world. Here are the pieces snapped together: No problem here. The pieces come together … Continue reading →

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Grisbot to be laser-cut (a guided tour)

Posted on July 17, 2012 by engineerzero

Finally, the Grisbot’s acrylic casing is being laser-cut, possibly even as we speak. Here is a guided tour in Sketchup of what may actually come to be by the end of this week, starting with the front view: The ruler … Continue reading →

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