Introduction: UTRA for GLEE: Assembling the MBot Robot <3

Here's the instructions for assembling the parts of the MBot that we'll use for the line follower in the UTRA Robotics workshop at GLEE. This is also where we're uploading the code to program the robot. In addition to reading this tutorial and the official handbook included in your kit, feel free to ask questions to any of us UTRA folks--about your robot and U of T Engineering in general!

Step 1: Add Velcro to the Chassis and Battery Pack

First, let's acquaint ourselves with the blue aluminum chassis. The end with smiley face we'll refer to as the front, and the end with the M is the back.

From your kit, find:

  • the black battery holder (it should be able to hold 4 AA batteries)
  • the chassis
  • the Velcro pieces.

Unstick a piece of Velcro and attach one side to the top of the chassis, toward the BACK (the side with the M). Stick the other side to the battery pack, closer to the cord. This first step may have been done for some of you.

Step 2: Attach Main Circuit Board to Chassis

For this step, you'll need:

  • the main circuit board
  • 4 brass hexagonal screws,
  • 4 short hex screws
  • the screwdriver with the hexagonal head facing out (not the Phillips head)

First, screw the brass hexagonal screws into the holes at the four corners of the chassis.

Next, place the circuit board on top of the chassis, so that the light sensor (labelled on the board) is towards the front. Secure the board using the four short hex screws using the screwdriver. Don't over-tighten! :(

Step 3: Attach the Light Sensor and Front Bearing

The light sensor we're attaching here is for determining whether or not our robot is correctly following the line. At the same time, we're attaching a bearing which acts as a front wheel.

Here you'll need:

  • the light sensor, which looks like a small chip with four small bulbs on one side
  • the bearing, which is a metal ball held in white plastic
  • 2 short hex screws

  • the screwdriver with the hexagonal head facing out (not the Phillips head)

Attach the light sensor and bearing to the bottom front of the chassis, so that the sensors are towards the front and facing down when the chassis is right-side up. Again, don't over-tighten the screws!

Step 4: Attach Motors to Chassis

These motors will be turning the main wheels of the robot.

For this step, we'll need:

  • 2 motors (in yellow plastic)
  • 4 long Phillips screws
  • 4 hex nuts
  • the screwdriver with the Phillips head facing out

Stick the shaft of one motor through the large in the sides of the chassis. Using the screwdriver, screw two long screws through the smaller holes in the chassis to attach the motor. Keep the screws in place by putting a hex nut on the end of both screws. Do the same thing with the other motor.

Step 5: Attach the Wheels

Here you'll need:

  • 2 wheels (attach the black rubber ring to each wheel if it hasn't been done so already)
  • 2 self-tapping (meaning: pointy :O) screws
  • the screwdriver with the Phillips head facing out

Slide each wheel onto the motor shaft sticking out of the chassis, then carefully screw them into place using the self-tapping screws.

Step 6: Attach All of the Cords!

Here we're going to attach the different parts of the robot together so they can communicate.

You'll need:

  • 1 short "clicky" cord
  • 1 USB cable
  • the battery pack from before (put the 4 AA batteries into the pack)

First, slide the battery pack under the main circuit board, so that it's held in place by the Velcro we added in Step 1. Then, plug it into the piece on the main circuit board labelled "DC3, 6 - 7 V".

Next, put one end of the clicky cord into the back of the light sensor we attached earlier at the front of the chassis. Attach the other end into the port on the main circuit board labelled "2".

Next, plug the cord from the left circuit board into port "M1" on the main circuit board, and the cord from the right circuit board into port "M2".

Finally, attach one end of the USB cable into the big, shiny port on the main circuit board. Attach the other end into the laptop. Your MBot is ready to program!

Step 7: Bonus Round: Attaching the Ultrasound Sensor

You think you're a keener eh?? This last step, if you have extra time in the workshop, is for attaching the ultrasound sensor, used to detect obstacles in front of the robot.

You'll need:

  • 1 "clicky" cable
  • the ultrasound sensor
  • 2 short hex screws
  • the screwdriver with the hexagonal head facing out

First, plug one end of the clicky cable into the back of the ultrasound sensor. (It's easier to plug in this way.)

Then, use the hex screws and screwdriver to attach the ultrasound sensor to the front of the chassis, so it looks like the smiley face is wearing a cute pair of sunglasses. 8)

Lastly, plug the other end of the clicky cable into the port labelled "3" on the main circuit board. You're done the assembly!

Step 8: Adding Your Code!

Attachments