I’ve just started building the Mini DFRobotShop Rover Kit with two of my kids - today we assembled the Tamiya Twin Motor Gearbox in configuration A.
However, the gears in the assembled gearbox are configured so that both the left and right axles turn together in sync which suggests that the motors won’t be able to operate independently. If this is the case then the robot won’t be able to turn, so I think I must have done something wrong.
Has anyone else had this problem and if so, what’s the solution?
@pbos Welcome to the RobotShop Community. When assembled correctly, the two motors do turn independently. Note that in step 14, there is no set screw used, which would cause the two to rotate together. If you did insert a set screw there, it can be removed without completely disassembling the gearbox.
Got it - that’s a great help, thank-you very much!
I was using the Tamiya assembly instructions that came with the kit and did not spot that you weren’t supposed to use grub screw to secure the second nut. The Robotshop instructions you provided are much clearer.
Are there instructions for assembling the rest of the robot? If so, could you provide links to them?
Excellent. Not sure which version of the kit you purchased, but if you go to the Useful Links section of this page, there are additional files and links, for example a guide on how to use the shield (and sample code):
It’s up to you as to what you’d like to do with it and what accessories (if any) you’d like to add. Without any additional purchases, you can create code to use the IR receiver and a standard IR remote (for remote controlled movement), or program an automated motion routine, learn about and upload sketches in Arduino etc.
Hopefully you also have the 3.7V LiPo battery to make use of the onboard charger?
Yes, I bought the Rover Kit (including the 3.7V LiPo battery) as well as a Sharp IR range sensor and mounting bracket. My plan is to start with simple collision avoidance and go from there. Years ago I built a super basic two wheel version based on a “Let’s make robots” design and that worked pretty well, so this is an upgrade! Now the kids are old enough to get involved too
If you have a single Sharp IR distance sensor, you can angle it downwards (roughly 30 degrees down) to get both forward obstacle detection and edge detection. On a flat surface, the output should not change, though when encountering an obstacle, the distance will go down. When encountering an edge, the distance will go up (or infinite).
