Intelligent Machines Design Lab IMDL Home


Ron Brown runs a machine shop in MAEA 103. He is a real nice guy and will let you work in his shop as long as you follow his instructions. Treat him well. Ron is a great resource!

Below is a list of manufacturers and suppliers of parts that IMDL students have found useful as sources of information and parts for their projects. Click here for datasheets for some commonly used parts.


Samples (free parts)
Texas Instruments (TI) Processors, op amps, electronics (digital and analog), motor controllers [Select "Get Samples"] (May have to pay for shipping.) Link after first time
Maxim Assorted chips
National Semiconductor Electronics, Motor Drivers, etc. (National Semiconductor was purchased by TI in 2011)
MaxBotix Ultrasonic Rangefinders (sonars)
STMicroelectronics Sensors, accelerometers
Freescale Accelerometers, assorted chips [Select "Order Samples"]
Analog Devices Gyros, assorted chips. May need to call for certain samples [Select "Order Samples"]
Atmel Microcontrollers, memory, ...
Cypress Various (wireless, memory) [Select "Get Samples"]
Robot Kits & Parts
Out of the Box Supplier of EpiphanyDIY, an embedded computer board specially designed for IMDL.
Acroname Supplier of Robot kits and parts for robots.
RoadNarrows Robotics Supplier of Robot kits and parts for robots.
Pololu Supplier of Robot kits and parts for robots.
Parallax Microcontrollers, sensors, etc.
Trossen Robotics Microcontrollers, sensors, etc.
Solutions-Cubed.com Motor controllers, motor-wheel-mount assemblies, etc.
Lynxmotion Motor controllers, motor-wheel-mount assemblies, etc.
The Robot MarketPlace Supplier of Robot kits and parts for robots. Near Tampa in Bradenton, FL.
RobotShop Supplier of Robot kits and parts for robots. They sell CMUCam4
(Jameco) Robot Store Supplier of Robot kits and parts for robots, Microcontrollers, sensors, etc.
Sparkfun Small Atmel Development Boards
Mark III Robot Store Supplier of Robot kits and parts for robots.
NPC Robotics Supplier of Robot kits and parts for robots.

PCB Fabrication
Advanced Circuits, $33 Student Special for PCB $33 Student specail for PCB (real cost ~$50, incuding shipping). You will get a 2-layer board, with silk screen on both sides, solder mask, and through-hole plating. The lead time is 5 days, which may mean 5-10 days.
BareBones PCB Special, shipped in 1-Day from Advanced Circuits! These boards do NOT have solder mask or silk screen, but can be shipped in ***1 DAY***. The cost is still pretty low, about $50 before shipping for a 4inx4in board. You get 2-layer boards and through-hole plating.

Cameras
CMUcam 1, 2, 2+ Simple cameras for use with microcontrollers, ~$109, ~$179, ~$169
CMUcam 3 Open source software camera for use with microcontrollers, ~$239

Microcontrollers
Sparkfun Processor, sensors, etc.
BDMICRO Atmel Development Boards including Mavric-II
Maximum Robotics Development Boards including ATMega128
AVRFreaks Excellent resource site for AVR Development tools
PV Robotics (Manual) Xmega128 development board for robots.
MEKAVR128 Mekatronix Atmel Development Board


All-Purpose Surplus Houses
HobbyTown USAIn Gainesville! Go in and look around. Good for ideas. 7420 West Newberry Rd, Suite B, 352-333-2929.
SkyCraftIn Winter Park, FL, Skycraft Parts & Surplus is the largest electronic surplus store in the southeast. You can find great deals there or shop on-line.
McMasterExcellent for most hardware/mechnical needs. Get ground delivery, it's fast.
All Electronics Corporation Many electrical components at good prices.
Electronics Goldmine Good source for surplus parts. Their inventory is always changing so check often for things you could use. It has a "robot parts" section. No gaurentees, though. Usually they have gears, however.
Herbach and Rademan As well as electircal, also a good source for Surplus Motors, Mechanical Componenets, and Magnetics
B.G. Micro Good source for surplus parts at good prices.


Electronic Components
Digi- Key Jameco Electronics Newark Electronics Marlin P Jones
Mouser Future Electronics Allied Electronics


Servos and Motors
Maxon Motor Lynxmotion FMA Direct Servo City Tower Hobbies Servos Chart
Pololu Robot Store Vantec Mr. Robot Major Hobby Hobby People
MicroMark AGM Hobby


Solenoids and Electromagnets
Solenoid City Planet Engineers


Special Sensor Sites
Rentron RF communication, GPS kits, temprature sensors
RC Systems Text to Voice and Voice Synthesis Products
TAOS Inc Color detection, various light sensors. Possible samples.
Transducer Techniques Load Cells, Torque sensors, and Force Sensors
(call and ask about educational discounts)


IC Manufacturers
Maxim Semiconductor Allegro Semiconductor
Atmel Sipex Texas Instruments
Altera Linear Systems Analog
Fairchild Semiconductor National Semiconductor Intel


Wood, Body & Building Materials
Balsa USA Model Airplane plywood. Internet.
Front Panel Express Get robot bodies cut with ingraved printing (with color infill), holes, etc. Can get alumnium (anodized, if desired) or plexiglas.


Local Sources for Parts
Hobbytown USA 7420 West Newberry Road, Suite B
352-333-2929
Radio Shack 3315 SW Archer Rd: 352-375-2426
2 NW 16th Ave: 352-375-2336
Oaks Mall: 352-331-7217
Zell's Hardware 3727 W. University Ave: 352-378-4650
BatteriesPlus 3318 S.W. 35h Bldv.: 352-872-5922
Lowes 3500 S.W. Archer Rd: 352-376-9900
2564 N.W. 13th St: 352-367-8900
Home Depot 13th St: 5150 NW 13th St: 352-371-8459
Tower Rd: 7107 NW 4th Blvd: 352-332-7440
Dr. Schwartz's
address for
campus shipping
Dr. Eric M. Schwartz
UF, c/o YOUR NAME
Mechanical Aero, Building 183
Gainesville, FL 32611


This page maintained by A. Antonio Arroyo and Eric M. Schwartz
Last Modified