Re: A2 Robot Project

[rich12345@my-deja.com]

In article <8hc367$5tv$1@nnrp1.deja.com>,
  Ralph Glatt <mairsil@my-deja.com> wrote:
> I am working on making a robot out of an Apple //+,

Nifty!


>and I could use all the
> help I can get. I "might" be able to get a Focus Hard card for it,
but I'm
> not sure if the Prodos on it will work with the //+.

Maybe earlier versions will.  A focus isn't necessary unless you are
storing alot in your robot.  I use alot of disk space storing knock
knock jokes and map data.  The robots controlling programs (navigation,
etc) are very small in size.  I could probably burn an EPROM and use it
instead.


>I was also thinking of
> building some SCSI cards to handle the motors and such,

That is going a bit too far.  If you want to make a SCSI board, put a
cache on it and make it do DMA, and I'll  but a few from you.

Parallel cards or serial cards do the trick, and you can do I/O with
the gameport.  With a serial board you need extra chips to decode the
signal.  With a parallel board, you can control 8 motors (just
on/off).  With 4 outputs, you can control two motors (2 bits for on/off
2 bits for fwd/rev).

There are some good motor control boards available on the net.  I built
my own.  You can use Relays but they consume more power.


>but I think maybe it
> would be easier and cheaper to use printer cards instead?
>

Yep.

> If anyone can help, or point me in the right direction, I'd
appreciate it.

check mine out:

http://rich12345.tripod.com


I used a parallel card for I/O (with help from the game port to get
more than 8 bits in/out.)

Things to consider:  how will you power it?  battery+switching power
supply.  It is a good place to get started.  Or you could have a cord
running off the back of the bot.


>
> Thanks!!
>
> Ralph Glatt
>

if you'd like to contact me,

aiiadict@hotmail.com

Rich


Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.