=== Formica (en) ===
[[:formica|german version]]

{{https://brezn.muc.ccc.de/~lilafisch/formica/formica.jpg}}

The Formica Swarm Robots were introduced at 25c3 (Scalable Swarm Robotics, [[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3973323702036529336&hl=en#| Google Video]]). Besides the PCBs the parts are all very common and therefore cheap and relatively easy to get.

== News ==
  * burned a voltagecontroller by mixing up GND and Vcharge
  * motors are running!
  * All Parts arrived!!
  * Recommendation: Before soldering a Formica Robot I reccomend soldering somthing with less smd parts, e.g. a moodlamp.
  * Instructions Hardware [[formica_hw|short]] - list of components, ...
  * Instruction Hardware [[formica_hw_lang|detailed]] - elaborated instruction with pictures
  * smd soldering - some [[smd_loeten_kurz|notes]]

== Outline ==

  * Swarmrobots
  * Communication, programming via IR (also mutual updates)
  * Other components: Reflectivity sensor, status LED, IR sensors also used as brightness sensors
  * Independent charging with the cunducting feet/antennas
  * Motors as used in mobile phones (fast...)
  * one charge of the battery equals about 30 active minutes
  * size ca. 30*30*20mm
  * available for µc3 members: 25€/Piece

Deatailled documentation (pictures!) also on [[http://warrantyvoidifremoved.com/formica| warrantyvoid]]
and in a [[http://formica.srobo.org/wiki/Main_Page|wiki]].

== Goal ==
Building some robots and a charger. Some changes on the charger (less bouncing off).

== Changes to the original PCB ==
  * Replacing of the original charging contacts with screw terminals
  * introducing a way to measure the voltage (voltage divider)
  * Changing the size of the PCB to make room for the battery, the screw terminals

== current problems ==
  * Material for the wheels: friction fit, d=3.5mm
  * Programming with the ez430...


== Price calculation with sources ==
The robots will be available for 25€ /piece.
https://brezn.muc.ccc.de/~schneider/formica/MateriallisteV2.ods

== Tasks ==
  * Putting the robots together
  * Comfortable way to flash them
  * Charging station


== Interested? ==

please add your nick to the [[https://wiki.muc.ccc.de/formica|german version]]