Kitronik MOVE mini User manual

MOVE
:
V1.0

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The Kitronik :MOVE mini for the BBC micro:bit provides an introduction
to robotics. The :MOVE mini is a 2 wheeled robot, suitable for both remote
control and autonomous operation. A range of add-on boards can expand
the capabilities to include more advanced functionality.
The included :MOVE servo:lite board can also be used in conjunction with a
BBC micro:bit to build other movement based projects.
Visit kitronik.co.uk/movemini for more details.
ASSEMBLING
:MOVE MINI
CODING
:MOVE MINI
1. ASSEMBLING THE PCB
7. ATTACHING ELECTRONICS
4. TESTING THE SERVOS
8. CODE MOVE MINI TO MOVE
5. CALIBRATING THE SERVOS
6. ASSEMBLING THE CHASSIS
3. BUILDING THE WHEELS
9. DRAW A SHAPE USING JAVASCRIPT
TROUBLESHOOTING
10. GO ONLINE!
:MOVE mini PIN OUT
SUPPORT FOR
:MOVE MINI
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION TO THE :MOVE MINI
SUPPLIED WITH THIS KIT
GETTING CONNECTED
THE BBC micro:bit SOFTWARE
PROGRAMMING THE BBC micro:bit
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3
6
5
4
7
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13
14
17
22
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26
30
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2. FLASH THE ZIP LEDs

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SUPPLIED WITH THIS KIT
CHASSIS PANELS
ELECTRONICS FIXINGS
2x
1x

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GETTING CONNECTED AND FINDING
THE PROGRAMMING ENVIRONMENT
Using a USB to micro-USB type B cable, connect the BBC
micro:bit to a computer.
Code will be created on the BBC micro:bit website.
www.microbit.org

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THE BBC micro:bit SOFTWARE
The BBC micro:bit is programmed using a web based (internet
access required) programming environment which is found at
www.microbit.org.
To save programs to access at a later date you will need to be
logged in (although you can create a program without doing this). If
this is the first time you have used your BBC micro:bit then please
refer to our getting started guide at www.kitronik.co.uk/microbit.
All of the experiments in this guide are based on the Microsoft PXT
Block and Microsoft PXT JavaScript editors.The Microsoft PXT
Block Editor is a very easy to use graphical editor. The Microsoft
PXT Javascript editor is a text based programming language which
is ideal for slightly more complex programs. It is possible to convert
a Block program into a JavaScript program. This offers an easy way
to of progressing from Block programming to JavaScript.

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‘download’ . This is where the program is converted into a format that the BBC
drive to transfer the code into your micro:bit.’ The message ‘Do you want to open or
save microbit-script.hex from microbit.org?’ will appear. Select ‘Save As’ from the
Next plug a BBC micro:bit into the computer via the
USB Cable. The BBC micro:bit will appear as a removable
drive on the computer something like this.
the folder where it was saved and ‘Drop’ it onto the MICROBIT removable
drive. A message will appear saying ‘Copying 1 item.....to MICROBIT’. At the
After a few seconds the download will complete and the BBC
micro:bit should now be running the program.
If it doesn’t you may need to press the reset button, which is next to the status LED.
GETTING A PROGRAM ON
TO THE BBC MICRO:BIT
Status LED.
Reset button.
It is very easy to transfer a finished program to the BBC micro:bit.
First of all select ‘download’ . This is where the program
is converted into a program the micro:bit can understand. This
is known as a ‘.hex’ file. If it has compiled successfully, it will
return the message ‘Download completed... Move the .hex file to
the MICROBIT drive to transfer the code to your micro:bit.’ The
message ‘Do you want to open or save microbit-script.hex from
microbit.org’ will appear. Select ‘Save As’ from the ‘Save’ drop
down menu and save the hex file to a folder for BBC micro:bit .hex
files.
Next plug a BBC micro:bit into the computer via USB. The BBC
micro:bit will appear as a removable drive on the computer called
‘MICROBIT’.
To download the .hex file to the BBC micro:bit ‘Drag’ the .hex file
from the folder where it was saved and ‘Drop’ it onto the MICROBIT
removable drive. A message will appear saying ‘ Copying 1 item......
to MICROBIT’. At the same time, the yellow LED on the back of the
BBC micro:bit will flash.
After a few seconds, the download will complete and the BBC
micro:bit should now be running the program.
If it doesn’t you may need to press the reset button, which is next to
the status LED.
‘download’ . This is where the program is converted into a format that the BBC
drive to transfer the code into your micro:bit.’ The message ‘Do you want to open or
save microbit-script.hex from microbit.org?’ will appear. Select ‘Save As’ from the
Next plug a BBC micro:bit into the computer via the
USB Cable. The BBC micro:bit will appear as a removable
drive on the computer something like this.
the folder where it was saved and ‘Drop’ it onto the MICROBIT removable
drive. A message will appear saying ‘Copying 1 item.....to MICROBIT’. At the
After a few seconds the download will complete and the BBC
micro:bit should now be running the program.
If it doesn’t you may need to press the reset button, which is next to the status LED.
GETTING A PROGRAM ON
TO THE BBC MICRO:BIT
Status LED.
Reset button.
‘download’ . This is where the program is converted into a format that the BBC
drive to transfer the code into your micro:bit.’ The message ‘Do you want to open or
save microbit-script.hex from microbit.org?’ will appear. Select ‘Save As’ from the
Next plug a BBC micro:bit into the computer via the
USB Cable. The BBC micro:bit will appear as a removable
drive on the computer something like this.
the folder where it was saved and ‘Drop’ it onto the MICROBIT removable
drive. A message will appear saying ‘Copying 1 item.....to MICROBIT’. At the
After a few seconds the download will complete and the BBC
micro:bit should now be running the program.
If it doesn’t you may need to press the reset button, which is next to the status LED.
GETTING A PROGRAM ON
TO THE BBC MICRO:BIT
Status LED.
Reset button.

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1ASSEMBLING THE SERVO:LITE PCB
STEP 1: Use a small Phillips screwdriver to screw the five M3 machine
screws through the micro:bit and spacer, into the nuts mounted on the
PCB.
ZIP LEDs
Servo Connections
PCB Mounted Nuts
On/Off Switch
Spacer
Micro:bit sold separately

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FLASH THE ZIP LEDs
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STEP 1: Put batteries into the SERVO:LITE PCB, and turn it on.
STEP 2: Connect it to a computer using a micro-USB cable.
STEP 3: Bring up Javascript Blocks Editor (makecode.microbit.org).
STEP 6: In the search bar type ‘neopixel’, then
select the ‘neopixel’ box.
STEP 4: In the toolbox towards the left of the
screen, select the ‘Advanced’ section.
Additional packages should appear below.
STEP 5: Select ‘Add Package’.
NOTE: This will load a set of blocks compatible with Kitronik’s ZIP LEDs, which
makes them really easy to code!
NOTE: Kitronik’s ZIP LEDs are compatible with Adafruit’s Neopixels.

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STEP 7: Create a variable and name it ‘Pixel Array’.
STEP 8: Create the following code.
This tells the micro:bit that Pin 0 is
connected to 5, colour addressable LEDs.
WHAT THIS MEANS
A variable is like a container which can store
information. This could be a number, a word
or a piece of information you want your
program to remember.
WHAT THIS MEANS

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When button A is pressed, light up all the pixels
red.
When button B is pressed, clear the LED’s
represented by the variable ‘Pixel Array’. This
will turn them off.
WHAT THIS MEANS
WHAT THIS MEANS
STEP 9: Download!
STEP 11: Try changing the code to make a different colour.
STEP 10: Press A and get ready for the lights!
Plug the BBC micro:bit into a USB port then drag and drop the
The program will automatically run on the simulator. Click on the ‘A’ button on
the simulator to see the LED pattern. Click on ‘B’ button to clear the pattern.

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As well as addressing all the pixels at once it is possible to set them
individually, or as a group. The first pixel always has an address of 0 (see
diagram below).
WHAT THIS MEANS
Set the first two pixels to red, the middle pixel to
white and the last two to blue.
STEP 12: Change the code under ‘On button A pressed’ to the following.
REMEMBER: To show a change you must use a block with ‘show’ in it.
UploadDownload
NOTE: You may need to click on ‘More’ under the ‘neopixel’ toolset to view
extra blocks.
0 1 2 3 4
STEP 13:
STEP 14: Press A and watch the lights!

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WHAT THIS MEANS
STEP 15: Create the code below.
This code shows a colour changing pattern
when button A is pressed and stops when
button B is pressed.
NOTE: The ‘rotate pixels’ tool shifts each LED colour onto the next LED.
When it reaches the end of the line, it goes back onto to the first LED.
UploadDownload
STEP 16:
STEP 17: Press A and watch the light show!

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BUILDING THE WHEELS
3
2x
STEP 1: Screw the 2 larger screws from the servo packet, through the
wheel and into the appropriate holes in the servo attachment. The centre
of the horn and the centre of the wheel should be aligned. Press fit the
wheel onto the servo and repeat for the opposite side.
NOTE: The screws should go through the holes shown above in red.

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TESTING THE SERVOS
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SERVOS
The continuous rotation servos used in the :MOVE mini are controlled in
the same manner as normal remote control servos. These servos are
controlled by a repeating pulse, whose width commands the servo to turn
to a position. For a normal servo, position is measured from the output
shaft and used to determine what angle the servo should stop at.
Because of component tolerances, we may need to set the centre point
on the :MOVE mini servos to ensure it will stop when commanded. This is
done with a trimmer, which is explained later on.
A continous rotation servo is slightly different. Instead of the signal telling
the servo how far to move, it tells the servo how fast to move.
STOP
0 DEGREES
90 DEGREES
180 DEGREES
NORMAL SERVO
CONTINOUS ROTATION
SPEED:
DEGREES:

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STEP 1: Plug the servos into the SERVO:LITE board.
The :MOVE board connections are:
TOP : GROUND : BROWN
MIDDLE : POWER : RED
BOTTOM : SIGNAL : ORANGE
STEP 2: With both wheel servos plugged in, it is time to write some test
code. Set out the servos like below. This will allow trimming/calibration of
the servos. This means they will stop and travel at the same speed when
commanded.

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STEP 3: Bring up JavaScript Blocks Editor (pxt.microbit.org).
STEP 4: Create the following code.
When button B is pressed both servos should turn clockwise (looking
from the wheel side).
When button A is pressed, both servos should turn anti-clockwise
(looking from the wheel side).
When buttons A + B are pressed the servos should stop turning.
UploadDownload
If they do not then the centre point trimmer will need adjustment. On
the bottom of the servo, there is a small hole. This is used to access the
trimmer.
STEP 5:
STEP 6: Test out the buttons.
SPEED:
DEGREES:

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STEP 1: Press buttons A+B,
Then with a small screwdriver (through the hole) gently move the centre
point trimmer until the servo completely stops. There should also be no
sound coming from the servos.
STEP 2: Once the servos are calibrated unplug them from the board and
detach the wheels from the servos.
CALIBRATING THE SERVOS
5
TRIMMER
NOTE: The diagram below shows how the number of degrees set in the
code relates to the speed of the servo.
STOP
SPEED:
DEGREES:

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STEP 3: Snap the pen mounting plate in between the two vertical plates, just
above the servo. The servo cables should pass out of the rear of the chassis.
ASSEMBLING THE CHASSIS
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STEP 1: Slot the servo into the base plate with
the shaft facing out, and the wires facing up. This
should fit very tightly and may require some
pressure to snap into place.
STEP 2: Slot the side part over the top of the servo,
ensuring the panel sits in front of blue plastic lip of
the servo before securing it with a screw and nut.
Then repeat for the opposite side.

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STEP 4: Slot the screws through the outer panel and into the green panel,
then add a nut onto the end of each. Repeat for the opposite side.
STEP 5: Attach to the chassis, slot the nut into the T-joint and tighten the
screw.

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STEP 6: Repeat for the opposite side.
STEP 7: Add a wheel (built earlier) and screw the smallest servo screw
through the middle to secure it.