What book to read? (noob question)

[Maxheadroom1]

Hi everyone.

I would like to read a book about electrical materials that are essential to know they exist in order to build a robot.
Example of electrical materials: MOSFET, SSR, Current boost, LCD, Transistor...

My question is what would be the subject of such a book?

I don't want to be a super pro in electronic, I just want to be able to understand in general and just enough to build a robot like BB8. Yes, I have FT-5 to 3D print BB8.

I read books about CC and CA, Circuit and I am a member of BB8 builders club.

[Ron]

There are many basic electronics and robotics books out there.
There are for example books on "how to build a 3D printer" and the like.
Look in almost any book store (brick and mortar or online).
Our local Barnes and Noble has a whole section on them.
However, Wikipedia is probably as good a good starting point as any for you on these items.
And of course, you can search this forum (and others) by key word and you will find lots of information.
Current boosters have been covered on this forum, and Thomas Sandlerer and others on YouTube discuss them as well.

As for BB8 specfically, you could be biting off a lot.
It is centered more in the realm of R/C cars and toys than in 3D printers and robotics.
You'd be better off, quite frankly, just buying one on Amazon.com

Amazon.com: robot bb8

[PaulS]

if you built your FT-5, you should have no problem with BB8, trust me,been an EE for over 30 years LOL Youtube is awesome, all sort of great theory videos there from novice to expert...

[Ron]

Yes, so am I (long time EE/ME), but if the OP was going to build a BB8 from scratch that could be a somewhat daunting task due to the control algorithms for balance (if built without outriggers or such aids).
However since the OP is a member of a BB8 builder's club, maybe?

From what I can gather there is a large mass toward the base of the interior of the sphere and motors to turn the sphere from inside, but to keep it from wobbling when accelerating or decelerating could still be a good trick.
Sort of like the issues the two wheel (side-side) "hoverboards" and Segway transporters face.
Gyroscopes (solid state) and fancy algorithms are heavily involved.

[csorrows]

Yes, they use gyroscopic sensors and PID loops to control them. The intense ones do anyway. It's amazing how much is involved in controlling what is essentially just a ball. If only I had the time.

What's that John? You need the i3 Mega manual now? Yup, back to it I'm afraid.

Carry on gents. This is a very interesting topic indeed.

[PaulS]

the impression i got was they wanted to know enough to put 1 together not invent it. LOL I believe the drive system has already been developed by some egg head programmer types (way beyond me to be honest) but as far as assembly goes, if they can handle the FT5 I have no doubt assembly of BB8 will be easy by comparison. Be sure to post pics and if you get stuck feel free to ask me anything. No promises i will have the answer but i can certainly take a look.