Startup Guide for Arduino : Free Tool for Robotics, Networking and More

Startup Guide for Arduino is for anyone, anyone can follow this basic article to get started on what to buy and not to buy, from where to buy, what are the other tools needed. This Startup Guide for Arduino is taking that, you have not heard about Arduino or even if you have done one or two projects, you have not much conventional knowledge on these things. Conventional knowledge means, having a degree on IT things or electronics, electrical etc. or not have any top up knowledge though any course. The sole intention of Startup Guide for Arduino is to make your projects successful and innovate new ways, tools etc.

Startup Guide for Arduino : You must know at least some theory

The thing is like, a paramedics can not perform a thing I can perform, but I can perform the most work done by a typical paramedic. The reason for Paramedic is to help the whole system. That is the basic reason, they are taught only few must know theories, we sometimes arrange for extra seminars to update the knowledge. If I run with a wheeled stretcher, I will physically get fatigued to perform my specialized work. Both has the same goal – to make the patient steady and jumping. It is a kind of round table structure, it often happens a paramedic notice an abnormality that a doctor might miss as it happened outside the doctor’s vision. Now compare the goal of this Startup Guide for Arduino, we all are like ‘paramedics’, none actually the experts; what we have to do is, to follow the normally followed way to carry out a project. Every technical field has some basic line of thought to carry out the work. It is basically not much ‘intelligent’ thing, it is the way people found to be the most easy and flawless.

Please read our basic guide for Controlling Motors, LED From Your Computer. All official links and basics about Arduino that is needed for this guide on Startup Guide for Arduino is there.

Startup Guide for Arduino : Creation of the right Workflow

The basic thing is, you need some tools, which are usually people do not have at home. This includes pliers, tweezer, soldering instruments, a dedicated old PC / Mac (it is better not to use working computer, USB can give a solid slap to a motherboard at very rare situation for ugly error by you), good quality brush, drying instrument, adhesive, paint, paper and many small things. It is good to have a dedicated room or a dedicated corner to carry out the projects. Buy a white bed sheet (as it is ready by sewing the edges, a cloth will need a day to do to that work or make someone to do it, small things matters). A pinboard is a must thing to write your target goal etc. That white cloth is to cover all the things plus you can work to disassemble an thing. As we do not have much knowledge on screws, the white makes a good contrast to find then. Lighting should always be ambient and more than enough. That is, if you need two CFL, arrange for three. Often extra illumination is needed. The measuring things like metal scale, meters etc. are also needed depending upon the project. Actually I have instruments gathered since past 4 generations plus I buy instruments. I badly use surgical instruments (obviously rejected ones) like artery forceps. Artery forceps is a thing that is a kind of advanced tweezer – it has a lock to hold things at tip. Do not buy it if you do no know how to use it. It has a typical method to release the catch. I found that all are needed things. There is a magnifying lens used by the watch shops. It is very useful to examine tiny parts. Always keep enough water, use earthing, use the most comfortable way for you to do the work. A movable stool with a table is an ideal setup. Some prefers to sit on the floor. Floor has the advantage that the risk of dropping is nullified.

Startup Guide for Arduino : Applicable for all projects

For any project, create a list of things needed for the project. Never start a project with some missing thing. Regarding buying, you will get info on official website :

Then create your own simplified version of diagram. Mac users can use iDraw like softwares, there is no practical good software for the other operating systems, you have to use Adobe Photoshop or Gimp. Print it out in big size. There are ways to get a bigger print from A4 / Ledger sized normal printer – its slicing in to small pieces and printing it. Hang it firmly and give proper illumination so that you can see it while working.

Inform your other family members about what the hell you are doing so that they remain alert. If you live in hot countries, at least hot like Kolkata or parts of North America, you will probably need an air conditioning machine in that room. Because, the work environment should be made easy, funny and ergonomic.

Startup Guide for Arduino : An Example project

We basically use Arduino Compatible board, those who just buy the board, not the chipset to get assemble the board too. The number of the board is important as well as the manufacturer of the chipset. For example you want to create an music visualizer :

What I want to say is, first buy all the parts, then buy the outer things (which are actually have to made a DIY parts), make sure that you have everything and then start with a timeline. Start with easy project then you will get a grasp to create robotic things.

For example, you can easily create a robot which will throw a napkin paper towards you very politely, when you will seat with a dish in front on the table. Two basic logics are – your sitting and presence of the dish. Additional conditions are – it will not throw if it has thrown one within past two hours (understand the normal reason), the time matches when you will need a napkin paper, probably you will not use for just a tea etc.