On Saturday April 26 between 10 AM and 2 PM, DPRG will hold a “Gathering of Robots” in conjunction with Dallas Maker Space’s open house. The event will display member robots, with several demonstrations of the various competition contests that the club holds. It will also be the coming out of “Big Robie” after his refurbishment by a team of members.
This event is a great opportunity to learn about hobby robot building and consider joining DPRG.
All members are encouraged to bring their projects. This is a time to play with your robots!
Join DPRG on March 22, 2025, 10:00AM CT, at the Dallas Makerspace for a presentation “ROS2 Navigation and Linorobot2” by DPRG member Paul Bouchier.
Presentation overview
Why ROS2 navigation? ROS2 is the most widely used robot SW platform, and it has a powerful map-based navigation system.
Why Linorobot2? Linorobot2 is a very flexible, open SW configuration built on top of ROS2 which enables hobby-level mobile robots (< $150) to use ROS' map-based navigation stack with zero to just a little programming depending on what you want to do.
Paul will explain ROS’ navigation concepts and how to configure your robot as a Linorobot and demonstrate how to use ROS’ navigation system.
Note: Featured image generated with help from AI – ChatGPT.
Join DPRG on February 22, 2025, 10:00AM CT, at the Dallas Maker Space for a presentation “KiCad for Robots” by DPRG member Doug Paradis.
Presentation overview
KiCad Overview and Setup
KiCad is a suite with a schematic editor, PCB editor, symbol editor, and footprint editor
It was recommended to install the “Freerouting” plugin
Create a new project directory with subdirectories for footprints, symbols, and 3D models
The schematic screen includes a title block that can be edited. Page size can be changed in page settings
Schematic Editor
The schematic editor has tools for adding symbols, power symbols, wires, and “no connect” flags
Unconnected pins must be marked as such to avoid errors during the electrical rules check (ERC)
Wires should be labeled for grouping into net classes
Different types of labels include individual wire labels, net class directives, and global labels
Creating Custom Symbols
A tool was presented for generating symbols for modules or ICs: http://kicad.rohrbacher.net/quicklib.php
Key steps include specifying the component name, number of pins, and pin configuration (e.g., dual in-line (DIL))
Pin types (input, output, power, etc.) should be set to make the ERC as useful as possible
Ground pins are always considered power inputs
A project symbol library can be created to store custom symbols
The symbol editor is used to create a new library, and the generated symbol file is placed in the project symbol directory
The new library can then be added to KiCad
ERC and Net Classes
The ERC icon is used to check for errors in the schematic
A common error is a missing power flag on a power trace [23]. Power flags tell the ERC that power nets are connected to a power source
A net is a group of connected components, such as VCC or ground
Net classes allow design rules to be changed for specific nets
Each net can only be part of one net class
Net Class Setup
Net classes can be set up via Schematic Setup
Net classes can be assigned to nets using the net class directive too
Footprint Assignment
The footprint assignment tool is used to assign a physical footprint to each schematic symbol
Parts are mostly standard parts like connectors, resistors, LEDs, and capacitors
Modules may require finding or building a footprint
The internet is a good source for finding footprints
It is important to verify the accuracy of downloaded footprints
A project footprint library can be created
PCB Editor
The PCB editor has tools for selecting items, showing the rat’s nest, adding footprints, and defining rule areas
The edge cut layer defines the shape of the board and any holes through the board
Auto Routing
After assigning footprints, the “magic autorouting button” can be used
It was mentioned that Java may be required for the auto-router
Board borders need to be added
Board Shape and Design
Custom board shapes can be created in inkscape and imported
It was recommended to set the copper to edge clearance to one millimeter to prevent clipping during board fabrication
Fill zones can be added to the board
Gerber Files and Manufacturing
Gerber files are generated for manufacturing
It was recommended to use a Gerber viewer to inspect the generated files
JLC’s PCB site has instructions for generating Gerber files
A DFM (Design for Manufacturability) check can be performed on the JLC PCB site
Additional Tips
Printing a 1:1 copy of the PCB layout and placing the parts on it can help verify the design
Mounting holes can be added as components in the schematic
note: Featured Image generated with help of AI – Microsoft Designer.
The annual meeting is where DPRG handles important business, and members have a chance to share their views concerning club direction. It is important that members try to attend.
There will be no DPRG December meeting at the Dallas MakerSpace. Also, the RBNV meetings for December 24 and 31 have been cancelled. DPRG wishes everyone a good holiday season and New Year. The next meeting is RBNV on January 7, 2025.
In place of the December meeting we will have a robot power holiday lunch at Kelly’s Craft Tavern on Preston just north of highway 121 on December 30. It will begin at 11am and you can arrive anytime before noon, when lunch will be served. We will have a private area to socialize in, capable of holding up to 20 people, and we will have waiter service for food and beverages.
Please RSVP here if you haven’t already done so. We’ve got about a dozen RSVPs so far. Reservations
Everyone is responsible for their own tab.
Location:
3191 Preston Road, Frisco, TX 75034
Join DPRG on October 26, 2024, 10:00AM CDT, at the Dallas Maker Space for a group meeting. The Canadian RoboColumbus Plus Competition to be held in the Stoney Creek, Onterio area has been rescheduled to coincide with the local competition in Farmersville on November 23rd.
At this month’s meeting, Dallas area competitors in next month’s local RoboColumbus-Plus competition, are encouraged to show-and-tell the current progress of their robots.
Pizza will be served at Noon. The meeting is open to all.
note: The featured image of this article is part of an inside DPRG running joke with our Canadian members.
Join DPRG on September 28, 2024, 10:00AM CDT, at the Dallas Maker Space for two presentations made by DPRG’s own Scott Gibson and Mike Williamson.
GitHub Link: ROS2 on Rpi Zero 2W
Mike presents his “ROS2 on Raspberry Pi Zero 2W” project – the cheapest way to experiment with ROS2. ROS2 is a set of open-source robotic middleware and tools.
Scott shows us “How to Debug with JTAG” for microcontrollers and even the Raspberry Pi. JTAG is an industry standard for testing, debugging, and programming electronic devices. This presentation will introduce you to true debugging, versus beginner methods such as adding print statements.
These presentations are a great opportunity to be introduced to both of these powerful techniques, which will improve your robot building skills. Pizza will be served at the meeting.
More Details about Presentations:
Debugging using JTAG – Scott Gibson
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“I will be using visual studio (code , community, or the full version will work) I will be using it with visualGDB plugin. VisualGDB has a trial period but is a package that is purchased. I will be reviewing two different arm families. The LPC series from NXP and the stm32 platform from ST. I will mostly cover C code from my robots. And show some coding bugs I have run into.” Scott previewed his talk at the Robot Builder’s Night Virtual; video clip of his preview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQRFLpQ_vis&t=60s
Scott provided this document that shows what you should install in order to debug with a JTAG interface:
This project installs the Robot Operating System, ROS2, on about the cheapest ($15) platform that can run it, and connects an LED and an SR04 Ultrasonic range sensor and makes them work. If you’ve got $20 to spend on self-improvement, this is good value. If you have an old Raspberry Pi 3 lying around, or a 4, they will work too (and run faster).
Per suggestion at a monthly meeting, we will likely have a few sessions on ROS2 that will each be shorter in length than usual, possibly presented by different speakers, which will build up from the basics. This is the first one (and the first time we’ve tried this). The intent is to eventually aggregate them into a composite video that covers the topic.
Slide Deck (DesignSpark Mechanical / 3D Printers): Slide Deck (PDF)
Join DPRG on August 24, 2024, 10:00AM CDT, at the Dallas Maker Space for dual presentations highlighting two perspectives on how to get kickstarted into learning computer aided design, CAD. Learning CAD can be daunting, and beginners are often overwhelmed. Presenters Jon Hylands and Doug Paradis will show two approaches using different CAD programs: onshape, an excellent web-based CAD program, and DesignSpark Mechanical, a simplified version of SpaceClaim Engineer.
Both presenters will be stressing “How do you get started?”.
The presentations will use a simple pendulum example proposed by Paul Bouchier and follow up with a slightly more complex bumper design. Again, overcoming the hurdle of getting started and the mindset used versus the mechanics of the programs will be the emphasis of the talks.
This is a great opportunity to finally figure out how to get started in CAD and meet others with similar interests. Pizza will be served at the meeting.
Join DPRG on July 27, 2024, 10:00AM CDT at the Dallas Maker Space for a Swap Meet and social gathering. There will be no presentation this month, however there will be pizza. Members are encouraged to use this opportunity to socialize with other members and guests, and to dig deep into their hoard of robotic parts and offer them for swapping. This is a great opportunity to get to know other members better, prove that you aren’t really a hoarder (you just like shiny), and maybe pick up something interesting.
Join DPRG in a virtual meeting held on June 22, 2024, at 10:00AM CDT for a presentation by Bob Cook, winner of the 2023 SRS RoboMagellan, on how to use AI to detect traffic cones. Bob will cover everything from data collection to building a model and loading it onto a small board computer. This is a great opportunity to see in a practical manner how a model is built.
