Justin Ratliff's ping robot article

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1 24pin DIP Socket Jameco.com
1 8pin SIP Socket Jameco.com
2 Servo Wheels Acroname.com
1 Sharp GP2D12 IR Module Acroname.com
1 6 AA Battery Pack
1 CdS Photo Cell
1 Power Switch
1 5V Regulator
1 Caster Wheels
Misc: wire ties, double sided tape, wire, heat shrink tubing, misc. connectors
The production J2 is built from stainless steel. The prototype body was built from
Plexiglas. I cut the Plexiglas to size and heated it with a heat gun to bend it into shape.
For a beginner I believe Plexiglas is cheaper, easier to work with and more forgiving
than metal. It’s also very light weight and fairly strong. Figure 4 shows the prototype
plastic J2 layout with larger foam wheels.
Figure 4.
A heat gun is sort of like an industrial hair dryer and you can pick one up at your local
hardware store for around $30. When heating plastic to bend it you want to heat the
surface of the plastic where you’ll place a bend and apply heat evenly. The plastic will
need to get fairly hot, but if you see the surface structure start to change texture you
know you’ve applied too much heat! With clear Plexiglas you’ll see the surface start to
granulize if it gets too hot.