TeacherGeek Catch The Bug User manual

“Catch The Bug”
Body Build
Copyright © TeacherGeek 2007
Revision 2.0
™
Process
#1
Where are we?
1) Body Build- The mechanical part
of the bug is constructed.
2) Electronics Lab- Bug Experiments
teach the fundementals of electronics.
3) Final Wiring- Permanant wires are
soldered on to “bring the Bug to life.”
You are
here.

Copyright © TeacherGeek 2006. Only for use with TeacherGeek products.
Body Build
Page 2
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Find the perfect tools and lead-free solder at teachergeek.com
Crimper/Stripper
Pliers
#1 Phillips Screwdriver
Soldering Pencil and
Lead-Free Solder
Bug Parts (parts to build 1 bug)
Tools Needed
1- Bug Body
1- Battery Pack
1- Spade Connector
2- Snap Action Switches 2- Motors
30”- (~76cm) Stranded W ire
4- Long Screws
2- Short Screws
2- Steel Feeler Wires
1/2” (~14mm)-
Tire Material
2” (~50mm)-
Blue Tubing
The bug body needs to be heated
for bending. Many heat sources will
work for this:
Blow Dryer /
Heat Gun
Hot Water (run hot
water over bug)
Wire Stripper
(optional)
Safety Glasses
or
Strip Heater

Copyright © TeacherGeek 2006. Only for use with TeacherGeek products. Copyright © TeacherGeek 2006. Only for use with TeacherGeek products.
Body Build
Page 3
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A. Bend The Body
Bend The Wings Up
Bend one wing at a time:
1. Apply heat to the wing’s bend line until it becomes
slightly more flexible (don’t wait for it to melt or droop).
2. Bend the wing upwards (about 15 degrees).
3. Hold the wing in the bent position until it cools.
Bend The Tail Down
!
Adult Supervision Required.
Be Careful of Burns.
Bend
Bend
Bend Line Bend Line
Bend
Bend Line
Bug Body with
Bent Wings
Bug Body with
Bent Wings and
Bent Tail
The Bug Body must be heated for
bending. Here are some options:
Blow Dryer
Hot Water (run hot
water over bug)
Strip Heater
4. Apply heat to the tail’s bend line until it becomes slightly
more flexible (don’t wait for it to melt or droop).
5. Bend the tail downwards (about 15 degrees).
6. Hold the tail in the bent position until it cools.
Your Bug Body is made of recycled polypropylene plastic.
See how it was injection molded in the teachergeek.com forum.

Copyright © TeacherGeek 2006. Only for use with TeacherGeek products.
Body Build
Page 4
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Copyright © TeacherGeek 2006. Only for use with TeacherGeek products.
!
What Is Needed?
2 Short Screws
1 Battery Holder
#1 Phillips
Screwdriver
B. Attach The Battery Holder
C. Attach The Switches
2 Switches
4 Long Screws #1 Phillips
Screwdriver
A
B
7. Place screws into holes A
in battery holder.
8. Drive screws into holes B.
9. Place screws into switches (as shown).
10. Drive screws into holes Cand D .
1. Partually drive in all screws (leaving
them loose)
2. Tighten all screws
C
D
What is Needed?

Copyright © TeacherGeek 2006. Only for use with TeacherGeek products. Copyright © TeacherGeek 2006. Only for use with TeacherGeek products.
Body Build
Page 5
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D. Put The “Tires” On
The motors with tire material
(from step D)
11. Cut two 1/4” (7mm) sections
of tire material. Make sure cuts
are straight.
Tire Material should
extend slightly past
the motor shaft.
13. Push the motors down into the
bug body so the copper terminals
face outward.
E. Attach The Motors
Terminals
Terminals
What Is Needed?
2 Motors 1/2” (~14mm)
Tire Material
A Cutting Tool
Cutting Blade
What Is Needed?
Table
12. Place one section of tire
material onto each motor shaft
Get the tire material
started on the motor shaft.
Then press the tire material
against a table top to slide
it further.

Copyright © TeacherGeek 2006. Only for use with TeacherGeek products.
Body Build
Page 6
™
Copyright © TeacherGeek 2006. Only for use with TeacherGeek products.
F. Bend The Feelers
What’s Needed?
2 Steel Feeler Wires
Pliers
Marker
1”
(2.5cm)
1. Measure, Mark, Hold
2. Bend
3. Smoosh
4. Hold
5. Form
6. Done !!!
Measure and mark 1” (2.5cm) from the
end of the wire. Use pliers to hold the
wire as shown.
14. Create 2 feelers using this process:
Have you made 2 feelers?
They should look like this:
Bend the wire where
it was marked
Smoosh (flatten) the
bend from step 2
Hold the
wire as shown
While holding the wire
with pliers (step 4),
bend the contour shown.
Pliers
This is a top view of a feeler. You can use it as a template to bend your wires (it’s full size).

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Body Build
Page 7
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Attached Feelers
G. Attach The Feelers
A Cutting Tool
Cutting Blade
15. Cut two 1” (2.5cm) sections
of blue tubing.
The feelers from Step F
2” (~50mm) Blue Tubing
A
B
C
16. Place a 1” section of blue tubing ( B) onto the
switch lever ( C). Insert the feeler ( A) into the tubing
so it slides in front of the switch lever.
17. Repeat the process to attach the second feeler.
Feeler in front
of switch lever
Blue Tubing
What’s Needed?

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Body Build
Page 8
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You’re Done !!!
Your bug should look something like this:
Next Step: The Electronics Lab