Robotics 1.0 Lesson Plan
Lesson 14 - Exploring Actuators and Power Limitations

Purpose: Enable students to understand actuators, control Stepper Motors and MG996R Servos using CPX + Crickit, and understand battery capacity, current requirements, and power limitations.

No. of Classes

2 classes (Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes; maximum 4 students per group).

Materials Required

    Desktop or Laptop

    CPX Board

    Crickit Board

    USB Cable

    MG996R Servo Motor

    28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor

    ULN2003 Stepper Motor Driver

    External Battery / Power Supply

    Jumper Wires

Curriculum Content 5.5 Using servo, DC, drive, signal I/O and other ports in Crickit
7.1 Servo Motors
7.3 Stepper Motor
7.4 Speakers
7.6.1 External Power for Actuators - Need
7.6.3 External Power - Wiring & Safety
Prior Knowledge

CPX Board

Crickit Board

USB Cable

Mu Editor

Basic CircuitPython Programming

Exercises

Exercise:1


Introduction to Actuators

Learn about actuators and how they convert electrical energy into mechanical movement.


Click here to learn about actuators.

Exercise:2


MG996R Servo Motor


Understand how a servo motor controls angular position and demonstrate controlled angular movement.


Click here to view the connection diagram.

Click here to view the explanation and CircuitPython code.

Exercise:3


28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor


Understand how a stepper motor rotates in controlled steps and how a driver is used to control the motor.


Click here to view the connection diagram.

Click here to view the explanation and CircuitPython code.

Teacher's Instruction
  1. Introduce actuators and explain their role in robotics.
  2. Explain the difference between sensors and actuators.
  3. Explain the working principle of the MG996R servo motor and demonstrate its angular movement.
  4. Explain the working principle of the 28BYJ-48 stepper motor and the purpose of the ULN2003 driver.
  5. Port Limitation: Explain the concept of port limitation and how a motor driver can help when multiple actuators need to be connected to the controller.

    Click here to view the document.
  6. Power Requirements and Limitations - Reference:

    Click here to view the document.

    Click here to watch the video.
  7. Explain that adding multiple actuators increases the current requirement and insufficient power may cause unstable operation or errors.
  8. Discuss the need for a suitable external power supply when operating multiple high-current actuators.
  9. Ask students to compare servo and stepper motor applications.