[chbot] CHCH Robotics Group, meeting notes Mon 19 June 2017

[Mark Atherton]

Hello everyone,

Good early turnout with 23 attendees, and a couple of pre-meeting 
curries. Also, lots of huddles-of tech-talk. Quite an active evening, 
given that we had a BBQ two weeks ago…

$45 collected and transferred to BR05 account. This includes a donation 
for a power supply. Associated silver is in the Robotics loose-change box.

The recently prompted email regarding equipment donations to the trading 
table has resulted in quite a pile of ‘new’ equipment. Just to 
reiterate; yes donations are welcome, but no CRTs, printers or toner.

With thanks on behalf of the group,

Mark Atherton

==============

William brought along a discrete logic computer, based on the Ben Eater 
design (see Youtube). Williams version is based on Jaycar-sourced solder 
breadboards (veroboard type). Roughly 45 ICs at present, with some 16 
byte memory ICs on order. We will follow progress with interest.

Ben brought along ‘scarey-tank’, a land based model vehicle, that has 
little preference to which-way-is-up. Motive power was geared electric 
drill motors. Control surface was a home-made (433MHz) box with 
joysticks, and a small processor.

Robin G discussed mounting tiny SMD on a home made PCB.

Henry A described the recent machine-supplier conference at Horncastle 
Arena. One of the more remarkable machines was capable of direct (3D) 
printed metal structures.

Graham described the construction and mechanics of his 10 year old, 40W 
CO2 laser cutter, as well as giving us an update on his spark-eroder 
project.

We also had an update on the ‘personal-DNA’ project.