Analog Robotics Part 1

Analog Robotics Part 1: How to Control a Servo with a 555 Timer Chip.

This is the first part in a series of tutorials on building analog robots. Future tutorials will include the oscillating infinite state machine, various neural networks, chaos theory and how it relates to robotics, PID control systems, analog flight control, novel analog communications and other geeky stuff.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• analog
• robot
• servo
• chaos
• BEAM
• 555
• continuously

[Whisper6911]

there are several ways to modify a servo, what kind of modification are you referring too?

since you didn't mention it in the video, is only mechanical?

like do i just remove the stopper from the gear and leave the electronics intact?

[roboanalogtom]

@Whisper6911 google "modify servo" and you'll find hundreds of links on this subject. For brevity, I like to keep my vids short and to the point and I'm sure you'll figure it out.

[nuetronandelectrons]

Thank you for the feed back and help. How do i set the input to 2.5volts? How do i setup a resistor/capacitor network from the signal source(?) to the input(pin5)exactly?

at the moment i got it to where the servo moves acording to the light thank to you but how can i move on it own and then go in the direction of the light when it sees it?Im trying to master part1 before Igo to part2 Can you show a complete schematic of your finished 555robot?Thanks foryour help and i hope im not bothering u

[roboanalogtom]

It's no bother, your questions are good feedback for future vids.

What I'm going to do in the next week is make a new vid that will address these problems. I'll post it as a video response and let you know when it's up. In the mean time, if you could in the next few days post any other questions that you have so that I can make the new video as thorough as possible.

[tstorm881989]

what do you mean by "modified servo" how do i get the servo rotate continuosly? when the potentiometer is at maximum value and rotate in the other direction when P is minimum? thanks!

[Theokondak]

very nice!Thank you!

[roboanalogtom]

The 1000 uF capacitor helps with power spikes. If you use a separate power supply for the servo then you don't need it. If you use a single power supply then you need to use it.

You MUST use the diode for the proper waveform.

Enable Servo turns the 555 timer chip on and off. Take it to ground to tun the circuit off.

"A" is a signal input. It can be a sensor input, a potentiometer, a sine wave etc.

[nuetronandelectrons]

I will do my best.

Thanks

[roboanalogtom]

D'oh! "devider" should be "divider"

[roboanalogtom]

Take one photoresistor and connect it from +power to the input of the 555 timer resistor (10K from pin 5). Take another photoresistor and connect it from the input resistor of the 555 timer and ground. What you're making is a voltage devider with the photoresistors.

You can replace the photoresistors with a 10K potentiometer to move the servo horn around.

Let me know if you have any other questions or if you don't understand the exlanation.