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Jitter Bug Robot

Jitter Bug Tutorial

 Jitter Bug Robot

Before you begin:
Please identify the parts needed for this tutorial.

Printable Version
Download PDF Version (2.74MB)

Price per Kit: $14.50
Tools Needed:
  • Soldering Iron and Solder
  • Pliers
  • Wire Cutters
  • Wire Stripper
  • Super Glue
  • Basic soldering skills
 Parts Checklist:
  • (1) Namiki Motor
  • (1) Fuse clip (motor mount)
  • (2) 0.22uF Capacitors
  • (1) 2.2K Resistor
  • (1) 3906 Transistor
  • (1) 3904 Transistor
  • (1) 1381 Voltage Detector
  • (1) 4700uF Capacitor
  • (1) SP3-37 Flexible Solar Cell
  • (2) Red & Black 24AWG stranded wire
  • (2) 2 Green & 2 Black 18AWG solid wires
Namiki Motor and Fuse Clip 0.22uF Capacitors 2.2K Resistor, 3906 Transistor, 3904 Transistor, 1381 Voltage Detector 4700uF Capacitor
SP3-37 Flexible Solar Cell Red and Black stranded wire Green and Black solid wire


Step 1: Getting Started
Pay careful attention at all times to the wiring diagram. Be sure to look through every picture before attempting the step. Viewing all the pictures before you start will help you to understand each stage. Every picture in this tutorial may be clicked upon to open a larger view. Remember to allow enough time between step one and two for glue to properly dry.

You will need for this step:
  • Super glue or Epoxy
 Wire Diagram
Wire Diagram
4700uF Capacitor Glue the 3904 Transistor to the 4700uF Capacitor as shown Glue the 3906 Transistor to the 4700uF Capacitor as shown Glue the 1381 Voltage Detector to the 4700uF Capacitor as shown


Step 2: Add the 2.2K Resistor
You will need for this step:
  • Super glue or Epoxy
  • Soldering Iron and Solder
  • Wire Cutters
 Wire Diagram
Wire Diagram
Allow several minutes for the super glue to set before continuing. Glue the 2.2K Resistor to the 4700uF Capacitor as shown. Bend Pin B of the 3906 Transistor as shown. Another view of Step 2-3 Trim one quarter inch of excess wire from Pin B of the 3906 Transistor as shown. Bend the end of Pin B underneath the bottom of the 3906 transistor as shown. Bend the bottom lead wire of the 2.2K resistor around the 4700uF Capacitor as shown. Another view of Step 2-6 Solder the connection. Trim excess wire as shown. Another view of Step 2-8 Wrap the top lead wire of the 2.2K resistor around Pin C of the Transistor as shown. Solder the connection. Trim excess wire from the top lead wire of the 2.2K Resistor.


Step 3: Wiring Transistor Bundle
Pay close attention to the wiring diagram. Look through all of Step 3 before attempting.

You will need for this step:
  • Soldering Iron and Solder
  • Wire Cutters
 Wire Diagram
Wire Diagram
Top view of transistor bundle Bend Pin 1 of the 1381 Voltage Detector as shown. Bend Pin C of the 3906 Transistor as shown. Bend Pin B of the 3904 Transistor as shown. Bend Pin 1 of the 1381 Voltage Detector sideways such that it touches Pin C of the 3906 Transistor. Bend Pin B of the 3904 Transistor sideways such that it touches Pin C of the 3906 Transistor. Trim excess wire from Pin 1 of the 1381 and Pin B of the 3904. To fully understand this step, please skip ahead a few steps and come back. Solder the connection. Trim excess wire as shown.


Step 4: Add Fuse Clip
You will need for this step:
  • Soldering Iron and Solder
  • Wire Cutters
 Wire Diagram
Wire Diagram
Use a pair of pliers to bend the provided fuse clip as shown. Slide the fuse clip onto the positive terminal of the 4700uF Capacitor as shown. Bend Pin 2 of the 1381 such that it holds the fuse clip flush with the 4700uF Capacitor. Bend Pin E of the 3906 such that it holds the fuse clip flush with the 4700uF Capacitor. Solder the connection.


Step 5: Wiring to Ground
You will need for this step:
  • Soldering Iron and Solder
  • Wire Cutters
 Wire Diagram
Wire Diagram
Top view of transistor bundle. Bend Pin 3 of the 1381 Voltage Detector sideways such that it touches Pin E of the 3904 Transistor. Make sure it does not touch any other wires. Solder the connection Trim excess wire as shown. Bend Pin E of the 3904 such that it touches the negative terminal of the 4700uF Capacitor. Solder the connection Another view of Step 5-6


Step 6: Add Motor
You will need for this step:
  • Soldering Iron and Solder
  • Wire Strippers
  • Wire Cutters
 Wire Diagram
Wire Diagram
Clip the Namiki Pager Motor into the fuse clip as shown. Wrap the blue wire of the Namiki Pager Motor around the backside of the 4700uF Capacitor and then around Pin C of the 3904 as shown. Unwrap the blue wire from the step before. Be careful to preserve the kink in the wire as this will serve as a guide for the next step. Starting from the kink in the wire from Step 6-3, strip the wire of its insulation. Wrap the blue wire of the Namiki Pager Motor around the backside of the 4700uF Capacitor. Then, wrap the bare wire around the Pin C post several times. Solder the connection. Trim excess wire as shown. Trim excess wire as shown. Wrap the red wire of the Namiki Pager Motor around the positive terminal of the 4700uF Capacitor. Unwrap the red wire from the step before. Be careful to preserve the kink in the wire as this will serve as a guide for the next step. Trim one half inch from the red wire. Starting from the kink in the wire from Step 6-11, strip the wire of its insulation. Wrap the red wire of the Namiki motor several times around the positive terminal of the 4700uF Capacitor. Solder the connection. Trim excess wire as shown.


Step 7: Add Wire Frame and Legs
You will need for this step:
  • Soldering Iron and Solder
  • Wire Strippers
  • Wire Cutters
 Wire Diagram
Wire Diagram
Straighten the green wires as shown. Strip about one fourth inch of insulation for each end of the green wire. Make a cut to the insulation at the middle of the green wire. Then, slide the insulation out on each end, so that a one half inch gap in the insulation is left in the middle of the wire. Strip about one fourth inch of insulation for each end of the green wire. Make a cut to the insulation at the middle of the green wire. Then, slide the insulation out on each end, so that a one half inch gap in the insulation is left in the middle of the wire. Straighten the black wires as shown. Strip about one fourth inch of insulation for each end of the black wire. Make a cut to the insulation at the middle of the black wire. Then, slide the insulation out on each end, so that a one half inch gap in the insulation is left in the middle of the wire. Strip about one fourth inch of insulation for each end of the black wire. Make a cut to the insulation at the middle of the black wire. Then, slide the insulation out on each end, so that a one half inch gap in the insulation is left in the middle of the wire. Transistor bundle now ready for Wire frame to be added. Solder the black wire to the fuse clip as shown. The gap in insulation should provide an easy solder point. It may take several seconds to heat the fuse clip enough to accept solder Solder the green wire to the fuse slip as shown. Backside view of Step 7-13. Solder the black wire to the fuse clip as shown. Solder the green wire to the fuse slip as shown. Carefully bend the top black wire as shown. Another view of Step 7-17 Bend the black wire as shown. Bend the black wire as shown. Backside view of Step 7-20. Carefully bend the top black wire as shown. Another view of Step 7-22. Bend the black wire as shown. Bend the black wire as shown.


Step 8: Solar Cell Integration
You will need for this step:
  • Soldering Iron and Solder
  • Wire Strippers
  • Wire Cutters
 Wire Diagram
Wire Diagram
This wire is stranded and is not to be confused with the solid, more rigid, wire from Stage 7. Strip the insulation from both the black and red wires as shown. Solar Cell Wiring Diagram Use the tip of the soldering iron to melt through the polyester coating on the solar cell above the copper contacts. Then, solder the little spot on the contacts to which the lead wires are to be attached. Allow the soldering iron to heat the copper contact for a few seconds until the solder attaches freely. Solder the red wire in place as shown. Solder the connection. Bend both the red and black wires back underneath the solar cell as shown. Flip the solar cell over and place all parts in position as shown. Trim about one half inch from the red wire. Strip about one half inch of insulation from the red wire. Twist the bare red wire around the positive terminal of the 4700uF Capacitor. Solder the connection. Trim any excess red wire. Do NOT cut the positive terminal of the 4700uF Capacitor. Strip about one half inch of insulation from the black wire. Twist the black wire around the negative terminal of the 4700uF Capacitor. Solder the connection. Trim excess wire from both the black wire from the solar cell and the negative terminal of the 4700uF Capacitor.


Step 9: Add Bug Eyes and Construct Legs
You will need for this step:
  • Soldering Iron and Solder
  • Wire Strippers
  • Wire Cutters
0.22uF Capacitors. Remove one wire from each 0.22uF Capacitor. These capacitors are used for decoration only, and therefore do not need to be functional. Trim about one half inch from the remaining lead of the 0.22uF Capacitor. Trim about one half inch from the remaining lead of the 0.22uF Capacitor. Solder the 0.22uF Capacitors to the positive terminal of the 4700uF Capacitor. Trim the excess wire from the positive terminal of the 4700uF Capacitor. Lift the solar cell up and over the back of the robot body. Gently bend the cell and insert the edges into the black wire frame. Use a pair of pliers to crimp the black wire such that the solar cell is firmly secured. Underside view. Note the crimped black wire frame securing the solar cell. Bend the front pair of green wires to make the robots front legs. Experiment with different leg shapes to give the little robot slightly different movement characteristics. Bend the back pair of green wires to make the robots back legs. Flip the robot over onto its feet. Make sure that all legs are touching the ground at the same time. Make any adjustments to the legs at this time. Bend the 0.22uF Capacitors such that they look like bug eyes. Place your new robot under a bright desk lamp or take it outside for best results. This robot works well as a window sill robot.

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