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Developmental Diary of the PPF-08i


June 26, 2000 Development Begins

I start to develop a new fish robot named PPF-08i. The belows figures are sketches of the first step. The basic design concept is the same as the previous model fish robots, PPF-06i and PPF-07i. The main design concept is as follows.

(1) Microcomputer control
(2) A base model for group robots
(3) Simple structure and small size
(4) Small turning diameter. It is important that the fish robot can swim in a bathtub.


July 2, 2000 Drawing the Plans

I have started to draw a conceptual plan, the first assembling plan and initial parts plans. The body length will be about 200 mm, the minimum size limited by the size of the batteries and the servomotor. After consideration of previous models, the weight is specified at a maximum of 350 g. The weight of the PPF-07i was 400 g.



July 4, 2000 Machine Processing

Acrylic boards were processed and assembled. Two fish robots were built at the same time.



July 5, 2000 Wood Processing

I build a head and a tail peduncle out of balsa. Much time was needed for filing and sanding, drying the glue, and paint.



July 6, 2000 Making an Electronic Breadboard

A head and a tail peduncle were painted. While this was drying, I made an electric breadboard of the microcomputer and electronic circuits. The servomotor had previously been used to move under control of the microcomputer.



July 7, 2000 Early Morning Completion

The painting is finished. And the PPF-08i assembly is completed!


[Model Fish Robot, PPF-08i]
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