Sainsmart/lynxmotion 17+DOF Humanoid

jemartel · April 13, 2016, 6:43pm

I am a newbie who decided to build one of these 17 DOF Robots only to find that my MEGA wasn’t gonna cut-it…after research I found the SSC-32U and sequencer. I reviewed your content available and bought the SSC-32U, BotBoardDuino, the PS2 controller and module and Downloaded the Sequencer package. I am running Windows 7 64bit Ultimate via a laptop. What steps are necessary, required to get things working safely and correctly. Are their any DEMOS or completed “*.pat’s” available to get going with? or must I still buy another “upsell” software package “FlowBotics Studio (Download)Product Code : RB-Dsp-06” for $39.99 to be confused further?
after a Lynxmotion/Robotshop connectivity issue last night…which was resolved much later in my evening… I only began to experiment with the sequencer and SSC-32U and a simple 2 servo “Pan-n-tilt” camera…below is my email to the company last evening…
Thanks for the reply, I was patient and anxious to get going with my ssc-32U last night. When I couldn’t connect to the board and the site…I knew their was something amiss with your servers’ and Robotshop’s as well. It wasn’t clear that I needed to connect +VS to the board so that “communications” would be established… also the documentation for the ssc-32u wasn’t linked on your site, I found it on someone else’s site…I also tried to use a EZ-Robot package instead of the “Sequencer” when it wouldn’t connect…Needless to say, it fumbled into making the BAUD rates the same in control panel and the sequencer and got connected. I connected an available “Pan-n-tilt” USB camera from a WiFi Robot platform under construction to test the sequencer functions… ultimately I have a 17DOF Robot built that I’m anxious to connect to the SSC-32U and get “doing something”…BTW I also bought the “BOTDUINO II and Ps2 keypad/dongle as well” …why do I need these? I have a XBee that can go on the SSC-32U but I don’t see how the sequencer will utilize it. I also wish their was a “DEMO” of a 17DOF with an example *.pat besides the “BRAT”. This software will be a challenge to use, because being a NEWBIE, I don’t know what is needed to be done and in what order to safely or for that matter “make an meaningful sequence of movement”.

Thanks,

JMartel

scharette · April 14, 2016, 3:08pm

Hi JMartel,

Here are answers to your questions/comments:

That sounds pretty cool! We recommend that you post some pictures and a description of your project on our forum here and on our project-based website, Let’s Make Robots. We are certain the RobotShop community would be interested in your project.

The first step would be to ensure you have all power sources properly wired (and usually with a switch to cut-off power easily). Also, make sure you are providing enough power for all of your servomotors. You should also read the SSC-32U manual, especially the part concerning power (pages 15-18 ).

The only examples available officially are bundled with the applications. You can search the forum for other users who have published their pattern files.

The FlowBotics Studio (RB-Dsp-06) is the software platform used to create the sequencer app, FlowArm PLTW and many other software on our app store. It can be used to modify the free sequencer to add new features or create completely new software from scratch (or using the existing code as a starting point)!

Concerning the power connections, please see the answer above. The manual is linked on the product page of the SSC-32U (RB-Lyn-850) under Useful Links.

The default baud rate of the SSC-32U is 9600. It can be changed using the BAUD button on the board (near the USB port/XBee socket). You can also change the baud rate using commands. You can read more about the baud rate options on pages 34-35 of the SSC-32U manual.

What kind of robot is it? You can attach pictures to your reply using the Attachments bar (available in Full editor mode). See the attached image for details.

The PS2 kit is meant to be used with kits where you wish to remotely control your robot or send commands to it but do not want to implement a complex/custom interface. Most of the Lynxmotion kits combine a PS2 controller/receiver, a BotBoarduino and a SSC-32U to create remote-controlled robotic kits. In those cases, the BotBoarduino is used to convert the PS2 events into SSC-32U compatible commands. It can also be used to create complex gaits, such as seen with some of the Lynxmotion hexapod kits.

The SSC-32U can be controlled using 3 interfaces: USB, UART TLL and XBee (check pages 19-22 of the SSC-32U manual for details). By placing an XBee-compatible module in the socket and pairing it with your control interface, you can control the SSC-32U remotely. You can learn more about the serial commands on pages 24-26.

The creation of a movement sequence is a complex problem. We recommend that you first determine what kind of motion you would like to produce. Then, break it down into smaller motions and determine the movements and timings required for it to look proper. Then, encode it one frame at a time and modify it as needed until you get the desired result. You should start with simpler motions first until you get more experience and then move on to more complex ones.

Sincerely,

jemartel · April 14, 2016, 9:53pm

Thanks for all the advice and recommendations. As noted in original email and forum post. I did manage “without current and complete documents” to fumble around the sequencer and the ssc-32u itself to change the baud rate once I determined that I did need power/battery connected to the VS port. Once the website came back online and was accessible I downloaded updated doc’s and investigated relative info on setup via forum posts. I still could not find info on the programming of the “BOTBOARDDUINO” and its use with the SSC-32U. I understand now, that the SSC-32U does not store anything, it is just the interface between the servos and the stored sequences on the PC. Still a lot to learn behind the scenes

jemartel · April 14, 2016, 11:39pm

You asked for pictures of my 17DOF and various “Bots”…as you can see in 2 1/2 yrs I have built many… Each one was a learning experience and helped develop the next one

jemartel · May 1, 2016, 7:33pm

I am just providing an additional update on my Sainsmart/Lynxmotion 17+ DOF Humanoid Robot build. I have just received all hardware required from Lynxmotion to reconfigure my Sainsmart 17 DOF Robot. I am using MG995 servos(17+ too many) and an Amazon Kit Sainsmart kit (less the servos and controller and all other stuff that I learned later I needed) and additional Lynxmotion SSC-32U, BotBoarduino controller, Ps2 game controller kit, Lynxmotion Torso, 6v battery, etc… today was frustrating because I found that my MG995 servos were 8mm taller than the “S5485HB”'s and I needed to find Nylon standoffs to extend the RH-01 assembly… Both hardware builds are Not totally combined yet…

Well,

day 3 of the build…and two months waiting for parts… of my Sainsmart 17+DOF Humanoid/Robotic combined with Lynxmotion/Robotshop hardware/joints/bearings and controllers…has become frustrating and has stopped again. This time it appears that the Lynxmotion/Robotshop hardware/joints are designed for HS-5485HB servos with a 49mm spread, whereas the Sainsmart assembly is 53mm and can use the Tower Pro MG995 servo. Another $130 lost and 3 days for additional Sainsmart 17 DOF kit to be delivered…well I’ll have hardware left over to build a BRAT afterall to work out the walking code. I wish all these companies would indicate incapatibilities, definitely descriptions need more information. Time to redesign and define and research … at least I’ll have extra hardware to build a BRAT to work out walking…even the RH-01 hands with the flimsy bearing mount on the plastic hub and the Lynxmotion/Torso gave me issues with this build…