Following the earthquake on 22nd February we have been unable to use our usual room at Science Alive and have held a couple of meetings at the Cashmere Club, with just 5 or so people attending. Our latest meeting was held at Tait Radio Communications with 18 people in attendance. Thanks to all those who came, and especially those who brought items to talk about. Our next meeting will be held on Monday 20th June 2011 in Training Room 2 at Tait Radio Communications, 175 Roydvale Avenue 6.30pm. See <a href="http://kiwibots.org">http://kiwibots.org</a> for info about our mailing list.<br>
<br>Here is a summary of what we got up to, please email the list with any errors or omissions. Thanks.<br><br>Richard (me) brought along Lego Mindstorms, Micromouse and biscuits. <br><br>Robin showed us his AVR butterfly based controller for opening greenhouse windows using temperature sensors and mechanisms largely built from skip diving!<br>
<br>Charles brought along a sturdy mechanical prototyping workbench made from 18mm custom wood with a grid of holes sporting 6mm spiked nuts. Into each hole could be firmly attached a range of handy attachments ranging from clothes peg, battery drill, chuck, and a range of assorted supports. So far its been really useful for coil winding and spray painting.<br>
<br>Paul brought along and talked about a university project based on an ARM processor.<br><br>Carl brought along a prop scope and a $60 web server . See <a href="http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Main_Page#Projects">http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Main_Page#Projects</a><br>
<br>Carl brought along Christopher who showed us nicely put together electronics experiments kit from Dick Smith. He had it playing music, buzzing and launching propellers to the ceiling. The instruction manual was well put together with ciruit diagrams for each experiment. Highly recommended and great value at about $50.<br>
<br>William brought along his clock based on some some scavenged timing components, Picaxe 08M processors and custom designed displays.<br><br>Mark showed us some RFID chips and a cat flap lock arrangement for an article that he's writing for shed magazine, and also showed us his daughters picaxe based robot.<br>
<br>Jimmy offered to explore the possibility of meeting at the Polytechnic, and showed a robot made from an $18 electroflash gearbox. <a href="http://www.electroflash.co.nz">www.electroflash.co.nz</a><br><br>Some photos of the meeting can be seen here, thanks to Mark Atherton for taking them.<br>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/113134050398543502524/ChchRobotics2011May16?authkey=Gv1sRgCPqpyfaB8pHDkwE&feat=directlink#">https://picasaweb.google.com/113134050398543502524/ChchRobotics2011May16?authkey=Gv1sRgCPqpyfaB8pHDkwE&feat=directlink#</a><br>
<br>Jimmy suggested that we resurrect the challenges that we had run previously, see the previous post announcing Mini Robot Wars.<br>