Dave Hamm shared his recent project with us, a portable solar tracking mount. The idea stemmed from the realization that people have been building portable solar generators for emergencies, camping trips, boating, etc., but few have any sort of mount for their unit. Similarly, Dave had a portable solar power generator unit, but got tired of positioning it. He wanted a sturdy mount that wouldn’t be knocked over in the wind.
You can see his general design in the diagram above.
...Continue Reading
You can see his general design in the diagram above.
...Continue Reading
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Recently we had the opportunity to share a story in Robot Magazine, about a company we find inspiring and are honored to have worked with on different projects.
INTRODUCING THE “MEAL BUDDY” ROBOT ARM
It’s always encouraging to learn about companies that are harnessing robotic technology to better the lives of others. Richardson Products, Inc. is a medical equipment company that is going above and beyond to serve their customers, and we’ve been honored to work with them over the last several years. The company is a family owned and operated business that manufactures and distributes high quality home medical equipment. The owner, Richard Richardson, is described by his employees as a man of extreme integrity – and their company mission is a reflection of his core values.
Robert Rossi is the head of the electrical engineering department at Richardson Products and he is supported by Chris Daley and John Reinbold. Together they design and build innovative products that have a significant positive impact on the assistive technology field. They manufacture a variety of different robots, trays, seats, electronics, and specialized powered devices.
One of the robots manufactured by Richardson Products is a device called the Meal Buddy – a robotic arm feeding system (pictured above). The base of the system is a ServoCity bottom mount gearbox (SPG785A-BM) with full metal gears and 915 oz-in of torque. This robust base unit provides a panning motion allowing the...Continue Reading
INTRODUCING THE “MEAL BUDDY” ROBOT ARM
It’s always encouraging to learn about companies that are harnessing robotic technology to better the lives of others. Richardson Products, Inc. is a medical equipment company that is going above and beyond to serve their customers, and we’ve been honored to work with them over the last several years. The company is a family owned and operated business that manufactures and distributes high quality home medical equipment. The owner, Richard Richardson, is described by his employees as a man of extreme integrity – and their company mission is a reflection of his core values.
Robert Rossi is the head of the electrical engineering department at Richardson Products and he is supported by Chris Daley and John Reinbold. Together they design and build innovative products that have a significant positive impact on the assistive technology field. They manufacture a variety of different robots, trays, seats, electronics, and specialized powered devices.
One of the robots manufactured by Richardson Products is a device called the Meal Buddy – a robotic arm feeding system (pictured above). The base of the system is a ServoCity bottom mount gearbox (SPG785A-BM) with full metal gears and 915 oz-in of torque. This robust base unit provides a panning motion allowing the...Continue Reading
We recently asked our customer and friend, Mike Mikkleson (http://blog.m2-photo.com/) to guest blog for us. He came up with something really cool, and we wanted to share it with the RCGroups community as well. Check it out!
Building an Actobotics Kite Aerial Photography Suspension Rig
The Kite Aerial Photography community is one of those groups where the members are sort of eclectic, and get tons of enjoyment from capturing unique aerial imagery by hanging a camera from a kite. Anyone who has tried KAP gets not only the satisfaction of flying kites, but the reward of seeing a bird’s eye view in the images. I was hooked from the first session, and have been flying cameras on a string ever since. You’ve decided that you want to be part of “that” group, and want more information on ways to get started. As a KAP nerd, I think I speak for the entire group by saying, “Welcome!”
Click here to view the Kite Aerial Photography flickr group
People have been using Kites to capture aerial photography for over a hundred years. George R. Lawrence made a name for himself using a series of kites to lift a 50 pound camera in 1906 to document post-earth quake San Francisco. Most modern day kite photographers use a suspension rig which was designed by Pierre Picavet way back in 1912. What has changed is the quality of the cameras, the design of the rigs, and even instant gratification in seeing the images through wireless networks. I will focus on the actual rig that...Continue Reading
Building an Actobotics Kite Aerial Photography Suspension Rig
The Kite Aerial Photography community is one of those groups where the members are sort of eclectic, and get tons of enjoyment from capturing unique aerial imagery by hanging a camera from a kite. Anyone who has tried KAP gets not only the satisfaction of flying kites, but the reward of seeing a bird’s eye view in the images. I was hooked from the first session, and have been flying cameras on a string ever since. You’ve decided that you want to be part of “that” group, and want more information on ways to get started. As a KAP nerd, I think I speak for the entire group by saying, “Welcome!”
Click here to view the Kite Aerial Photography flickr group
People have been using Kites to capture aerial photography for over a hundred years. George R. Lawrence made a name for himself using a series of kites to lift a 50 pound camera in 1906 to document post-earth quake San Francisco. Most modern day kite photographers use a suspension rig which was designed by Pierre Picavet way back in 1912. What has changed is the quality of the cameras, the design of the rigs, and even instant gratification in seeing the images through wireless networks. I will focus on the actual rig that...Continue Reading
Instructables Motorized Camera Dolly Project
Last week we sponsored an Instructables Project and we are excited to finally share the finished build with you!
The Instructables team did an awesome job of designing and implementing this project and we hope you enjoy reading about it as well as trying it out for yourself. Our line of Actobotics precision building components are extremely versatile and there are countless ways to build a similar rig - however, this detailed project log from Randy will give you a good overview of how to get started...enjoy!
“Recently I received the opportunity to try out Servo City's Actobotics build system. While I could have used it to build a great many things, I ultimately decided to make a programmable camera dolly system. This device allows me to create time lapse films with complex movements as well as program repeatable automated real-time camera movements. In other words, this rig allows you to smoothly film complex camera movements in time lapse and real-time.”
- Randy, Instructables
For project details as well as step by step building instructions visit: http://www.instructables.com/id/Robo...-Dolly-System/
...Continue Reading
ALERT: Super awesome customer project photos ahead!!
So we've been asking our customers to send in their project photos to receive 10% off their next order (details here if you want to participate: http://www.servocity.com/html/promotions.html) Anyway, we've been blown away by the cool pictures and links that you've been sending us...so we wanted to share.
Enjoy! And if you have a project photo to share, send it our way - marketing@servocity.com.
Another great build for his timelapse fleet from Mike Mikkelson. Here is his recent eMotimo TB3 Hyperlapse Rover. To see more photos visit his blog http://bit.ly/1poz89J.
Stephen S.'s phase two of his solar tracker mount. This supports a full-scale 158W 27” x 56” solar panel.
A recent project from Mike where he built an RC rover utilizing our PT785-S to achieve close up, wide angle wildlife shots.
...Continue Reading
So we've been asking our customers to send in their project photos to receive 10% off their next order (details here if you want to participate: http://www.servocity.com/html/promotions.html) Anyway, we've been blown away by the cool pictures and links that you've been sending us...so we wanted to share.
Enjoy! And if you have a project photo to share, send it our way - marketing@servocity.com.
Another great build for his timelapse fleet from Mike Mikkelson. Here is his recent eMotimo TB3 Hyperlapse Rover. To see more photos visit his blog http://bit.ly/1poz89J.
Stephen S.'s phase two of his solar tracker mount. This supports a full-scale 158W 27” x 56” solar panel.
A recent project from Mike where he built an RC rover utilizing our PT785-S to achieve close up, wide angle wildlife shots.
...Continue Reading
(This article is from our recent blog post, found here: http://www.servocity.com/blog/)
...Continue Reading
Our techs are always working on projects, both at work and at home. They are also constantly interacting with customers and learning about the roadblocks and issues that many RC builders face...and helping them come up with solutions. We try to post a Tech Tip on our social media pages about 1 a week. But we also keep a running archive of them here: http://www.servocity.com/html/tech_tips.html This week, we thought we'd post a few of the most viewed tech tips. Hopefully you will find one or two of them helpful! If you have a topic you'd like to see covered in a tech tip, let us know in the comments!
1-14-2014: Another use for flat snips
As hobbyists, we all have our favorite tools that tend to get used more than others in the toolbox. Some even get used for intentions other than what they were designed for. One of our common misused tools is the flat snips. These snips work just fine cutting wires, zip ties and other small items, however they also work well removing brass pinion gears from servos, and even tightening up ¼” diameter aluminum standoffs. Our brass servo pinion gears have a broached spline that is a very snug fit when going onto the servo. This does mean however that it’s a bit difficult to remove the servo pinion gear from the servo if needed. Using the flat snips, you can grab down in two valleys of the gear and wiggle the gear back and forth to remove it without damaging the gear or the servo. The tool can be used in a similar fashion to hold an...Continue Reading
We are thrilled to have a guest blogger this week - Scott Fitzgerald. We think you will really enjoy his project/story!
I would like to introduce myself to the ServoCity Online Community. My name is Scott Fitzgerald. I am a Commercial Pilot with a background in Aerospace Engineering. Over the past few years, I have been an active parent/volunteer in my local school district promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education.
My work with the school began while participating in my employer’s educational outreach program. This quickly evolved into something much broader and has ultimately inspired our school district to launch a curriculum enhancement initiative to place more emphasis on STEM education. Our projects have received some great media coverage which is fun for the kids and promotes awareness in the community. Projects include three near space balloon launches, a radio controlled airplane design project, an electrical energy demonstrator, converting children’s ride-on vehicles to solar power and our latest endeavor, the Planetary Rover Project.
Here is video footage of the space balloon project.
...Continue Reading
I would like to introduce myself to the ServoCity Online Community. My name is Scott Fitzgerald. I am a Commercial Pilot with a background in Aerospace Engineering. Over the past few years, I have been an active parent/volunteer in my local school district promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education.
My work with the school began while participating in my employer’s educational outreach program. This quickly evolved into something much broader and has ultimately inspired our school district to launch a curriculum enhancement initiative to place more emphasis on STEM education. Our projects have received some great media coverage which is fun for the kids and promotes awareness in the community. Projects include three near space balloon launches, a radio controlled airplane design project, an electrical energy demonstrator, converting children’s ride-on vehicles to solar power and our latest endeavor, the Planetary Rover Project.
Here is video footage of the space balloon project.
| NSB Columbus on NBC Nighty News (0 min 28 sec) |
| Patrick Clark Reports on NSB Columbus (3 min 16 sec) |
We’re excited for 2014 because we have a lot planned! Below we listed the Top 14 happenings we’re enthusiastic about in no particular order.
1. Release of Actobotics™ Kits
2. Awarding the ServoCity Scholarship (http://www.servocity.com/html/servoc...holarship.html)
3. Going to the Bay Area Maker Faire
4. New Actobotics components
5. Launching our Customer Project Center (http://www.servocity.com/html/custom...ct_upload.html)
6. Shipping method improvements
7. Sponsoring more Fly-ins and R/C Events (http://www.servocity.com/html/event_...uest_form.html)
8. Contests, Contests, Contests!
9. Launching the Official ServoCity Blog - we've got some great guest bloggers in the line up
10. More and Bigger Giveaways - like us on Facebook for chances to win (www.facebook.com/ServoCity)
11. Yoda the shop cat turns 7!
12. Big Sales! - be sure to sign up for our newsletter to be notified (http://www.servocity.com/html/customer_page.html)
13. New Video Tutorials
14. ServoCity Forum Launch
Yoda turns 7!
We appreciate the support we received from the R/C community in 2013 and look forward to growing our relationship with you in 2014!! www.servocity.com
1. Release of Actobotics™ Kits
2. Awarding the ServoCity Scholarship (http://www.servocity.com/html/servoc...holarship.html)
3. Going to the Bay Area Maker Faire
4. New Actobotics components
5. Launching our Customer Project Center (http://www.servocity.com/html/custom...ct_upload.html)
6. Shipping method improvements
7. Sponsoring more Fly-ins and R/C Events (http://www.servocity.com/html/event_...uest_form.html)
8. Contests, Contests, Contests!
9. Launching the Official ServoCity Blog - we've got some great guest bloggers in the line up
10. More and Bigger Giveaways - like us on Facebook for chances to win (www.facebook.com/ServoCity)
11. Yoda the shop cat turns 7!
12. Big Sales! - be sure to sign up for our newsletter to be notified (http://www.servocity.com/html/customer_page.html)
13. New Video Tutorials
14. ServoCity Forum Launch
Yoda turns 7!
We appreciate the support we received from the R/C community in 2013 and look forward to growing our relationship with you in 2014!! www.servocity.com
...
Good afternoon,
Cyber Monday is just one week away! Be sure to visit www.ServoCity.com for deals that can't be beat!
FREE SHIPPING on orders over $25 (use discount code: FREESHIP)
Savings up to 80% OFF select items such as servos, wiring, connectors, controllers, ServoBlocks, horn packs and much more!
Remember, friends don't let friends miss a big sale like this...spread the word!
Cyber Monday is just one week away! Be sure to visit www.ServoCity.com for deals that can't be beat!
FREE SHIPPING on orders over $25 (use discount code: FREESHIP)
Savings up to 80% OFF select items such as servos, wiring, connectors, controllers, ServoBlocks, horn packs and much more!
Remember, friends don't let friends miss a big sale like this...spread the word!
We have recently revamped our line of Servo Power Gearboxes! Our gearboxes have always been top-of-the-line and super powerful (up to 3,402 oz-in of torque!) but now offer upgraded features and a more durable construction.
For starters, all of the servo power gearboxes that use an external potentiometer are now digital rather than analog. Digital servos provide more torque, higher precision, faster response times and are fully programmable. The programmable features allow the user to tailor the servo to perfectly fit various applications.
...Continue Reading
