Arduino

As the preeminent tool for makers, Arduino is a versatile platform that covers almost every type of creative making. With its simple-to-use coding language and fun programming concepts, Arduino enables users to create modern electronics with ease. From beginner level projects like flashing LED lights to more advanced builds such as interactive robots, there are an endless number of possibilities when it comes to building projects with Arduino. Whether you are new or an experienced builder in search of fresh ideas, these posts will provide interesting Arduino tutorials and unique ideas that may spark your creativity and motivate you take on any type of maker project!

How-to Tuesday: Arduino 101 the button

How-to Tuesday: Arduino 101 the button

Read more at stage.makezine.com

This is the second installment of a series about programming our favorite little micro-controller, the Arduino. Last week I covered connecting and blinking an LED. This week I will discuss connecting a push button that controls the LED. This is the simplest way to use a button. However, it isn’t always the best way since it doesn’t account for ‘debouncing’. In the next installment of this series I will talk more about ‘debouncing’ the button input and why it is important. Also, I will have a fun and easy project that incorporates what we have learned so far in this series.

Continue Reading Marc de Vinck
How-to Tuesday: Arduino 101 the LED

How-to Tuesday: Arduino 101 the LED

More information is available at http://blog.stage.makezine.com/archive/2009/02/howto_tuesday_arduino_101_blink_an_led.html

This week I am going to be starting a series about getting started with the Arduino. A few weeks ago I posted a quick how-to on using a force sensor and received a lot of positive feedback. This led me to the idea of a creating a series of how-to’s about our favorite little micro-controller, the Arduino.

We have lots of Arduino’s in the Maker Shed http://www.makershed.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=43

Continue Reading Marc de Vinck
How-to Tuesday: Valentines LED display

How-to Tuesday: Valentines LED display

The complete build process, including lots of pictures, can be found on stage.makezine.com.

http://blog.stage.makezine.com/archive/2009/01/howto_tuesday_valentines_led_display.html

This week I am going to be making the Open Heart kit from the Maker Shed. The Open Heart kit uses a technique called Charliplexing for lighting up the LEDs. Why? Well, Charlieplexing allows you to control each LED’s state individually. All you need to do is create a simple program and upload it to the Arduino and you have a really cool animated LED display. Check out stage.makezine.com for all the details of the build.

Check out stage.makezine.com for the complete build.

Continue Reading Marc de Vinck
Twitchie Scorpion

Twitchie Scorpion

I made this scorpion toy with a Twitchie Robot Kit. I’m really afraid of scorpions where I live in Arizona, so I thought a friendly toy would help me get used to them. I made his plush body from some fabric I had around, aiming to make him look like an Arizona bark scorpion, which are tan/yellowish/translucent. Twitchie is Arduino powered and comes pre-programmed, so it’s an excellent kit for beginners in robotics, because no programming is required! You can download and modify the code if you want, and it’s pretty light on the soldering, too. I’d recommend Twitchie for young makers (boys & girls, too!) interested in robotics or moving plush toys. You can buy the Twitchie Robot Kit in the Maker Shed:
http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKTET2

Music is “At the Crack of Noon” by Shuutobi, http://shuutobi.com

Continue Reading Becky Stern