Page 204 - 15 Dangerously Mad Projects for the Evil Genius

Chapter 14 ■ Light-Seeking Microbot 181

You should select toothbrushes that are of a thin
design and are powered by a single AAA battery.

Extracting the motor requires a good deal of
care, as it is all too easy to break off the leads that
connect to the motor.

The first step is to remove the battery and then
chop out the middle section from the switch
assembly to the beginning of the brush. You can
just hacksaw straight through, leaving a middle
section.
Figure 14-9 Removing the switch and motor
Now comes the delicate bit. Figure 14-9 shows
assembly
this middle section carefully sawn open along its
length and the switch and motor assembly
The weights on the motors are not going to be
removed. The motor can be de-soldered and the in direct firm contact with the ground, but rather
rest of the toothbrush discarded. the vibrations and occasional glancing contact by
the weights on the motors with the ground will
Step 4. Attach the Motors propel Snailbot forwards.

The two motors are attached to a strip of plastic 1 Notice that in Figure 14-10 one of the motor
inch (25mm) wide (Figure 14-10). Before gluing leads has been extended. You may well need to do
the motors into place, bend the plastic slightly so it this so the leads will easily reach their points of
forms a gentle arc. This will let Snailbot slide connection on the underside of the stripboard.
across surfaces more easily.

Figure 14-10 Attaching the motors