11–20 of 104 posts
Software I'm comfortable with, but I'm not really familiar with all of the physical components or how to put them together, when you might use each, etc...
I would suggest to add an affiliate tag to the Amazon link. I once heard that authors make more from the affiliate program than from the book itself. Maybe a modern anecdote but yeah... costs you nothing. As you don't get rich by the book itself, atleast you get some few dollars through the link!
The second Google result for this book is a chapter preview from the publisher: https://ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com/images/9780134032832/samplep... The first result is entire PDF though. I remember back in the old days being a poor student trying to save money spending hours trying to find scans of texts (or making scans in the library). Now it’s the first result in Google! Here’s hoping none of us need to make money thr…
i'd assume pretty soon hardly anybody can still make money through writing as it's easy to ask chatgpt "write me a book titled Motors for makers: A Guide to Steppers, Servos, and Other Electrical Machines".
or maybe i lack vision, maybe soon chatgpt can answer "should i use a stepper or a servo for my robot arm", or "how do i wire up stepper xyz on CNC machine ABC", or even "design a 3d printer with parts <$100 on ali express".
The second Google result for this book is a chapter preview from the publisher: https://ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com/images/9780134032832/samplep... The first result is entire PDF though. I remember back in the old days being a poor student trying to save money spending hours trying to find scans of texts (or making scans in the library). Now it’s the first result in Google! Here’s hoping none of us need to make money thr…
> Here’s hoping none of us need to make money through writing… i'd assume pretty soon hardly anybody can still make money through writing as it's easy to ask chatgpt "write me a book titled Motors for makers: A Guide to Steppers, Servos, and Other Electrical Machines". or maybe i lack vision, maybe soon chatgpt can answer "should i use a stepper or a servo for my robot arm", or "how do i wire up stepper xyz on CNC ma…
should i use a stepper or a servo for the robot arm i'm designing ?
Stepper motors are best for precise, open-loop control applications where position and speed can be accurately controlled. They are also a good choice for low-speed, high-torque applications. However, they tend to be less efficient than servo motors and can generate more heat.
Servo motors are best for closed-loop control applications where precise position, speed, and torque control are required. They are also more efficient than stepper motors and generate less heat. However, they tend to be more expensive and less precise than stepper motors.
Therefore, if precise control and speed of the arm are the most important factors, a stepper motor may be the better choice. But if overall efficiency and cost are more important, a servo motor may be a better option.
Another good resource is Jeremy Fielding's YT channel.
For someone wanting to get into "making",is there a good set of starter resources like this? Software I'm comfortable with, but I'm not really familiar with all of the physical components or how to put them together, when you might use each, etc...
For someone wanting to get into "making",is there a good set of starter resources like this? Software I'm comfortable with, but I'm not really familiar with all of the physical components or how to put them together, when you might use each, etc...
Sparkfun, Adafruit, etc have some good stuff to get you off the ground and building projects almost right away. I think they're great "taster" in how circuits work and what some of the components are for.
Khan Academy has a course for EE, I haven't used it but I've used the site for other stuff like brushing up of my math.
Manufacturers actually make some really nice training materials, if you like analogue stuff, TI's Precision Labs series is a great resource for that. Analog Devices has an intro to electronics wiki series too. https://wiki.analog.com/university/courses/electronics/text/...
For a deeper look, an undergraduate electronics textbook will hold your hand from the very basics through to more advanced concepts. You can ignore some of the more advanced stuff like AC analysis and non-linear components for the most part (Unless they interest you!)
I learned from this book (https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/subject-catalog/p/electronics-...) and found it quite approachable in how it laid out the basics before contextualising them as systems.
Theres also the famous Art of Electronics which is a good book but personally feels a bit dated (even with the new edition) and really analogue heavy. A good reference manual though.
You can interface via UART and CAN and a bunch of other analog/digital options as well
For someone wanting to get into "making",is there a good set of starter resources like this? Software I'm comfortable with, but I'm not really familiar with all of the physical components or how to put them together, when you might use each, etc...
I find the best way to get started is to have an idea of something you want to make, then just buy what is needed for that.
Pick a microcontroller first. Arduino is popular and well documented. Raspberry Pi is overkill in my opinion. I find I like the NodeMCU. The mini D1 specifically as it as an ESP8266 for Wi-Fi support. If you need Bluetooth or whatever look for the ones you need. And use the Arduino IDE to program and code it. From there, most motors need a motor drive and there’s a million of those and it’s typically a separate board (breakout board). You want to stock up on breadboarding supplies.
Openbuilds.com store is great if you have the need and budget for this type of items. You can get anything to build most any type of contraption and generally know it’s going to fit together if you plan correctly.
YouTube is your best resource. I like reading text when it comes to software but reading electrical diagrams is hard for me and it’s so much easier if I can watch someone else. They often tell you the little gotchas too.
Amazon is good for almost everything else. If you’re like me you’ll end up placing 50 orders in the first 2 months. The hardest part is no retail store, even hobby shops, stock these types of items.
I will say I don’t find kits particularly helpful. They can be fun, but at the end of it you’ve just followed the directions and didn’t really learn anything. It’s like putting an ikea dresser together, if you’re trying to learn how to build furniture it’s not very helpful.
I hardly can find something worth looking at outside of ebay.
A lot of websites don't have public price lists but ask you to fill forms and receive quotes, but I don't want to order thousands of these (yet?)...