New project

It's been a while since I've had a chance to either write here or do any robotics experimenting.
I bought a new book that has sparked some interest again and I have my eye on another one or two.

I bought Extreme NXT: Extending the LEGO Mindstorms NXT to the Next Level and I have really enjoyed the read.

http://www.amazon.com/Extreme-NXT-Extending-Mindstorms-Technology/dp/1590598180/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5/103-1587592-0151816?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177258983&sr=8-5

It is well formatted and although it deals with very technical things it keeps the focus on the goal. I still need a better understanding of electronics but this books started my thinking process again. I came up with an idea for a project I can try that will challenge my current skill set but keep me close to the foundation I am familiar with.

I'm going to make a robot card dealer. Initially I want it to deal to a fixed set of players. Later I may try to make it player aware using sensors. When I get it working well I may try different games that require dealer interaction.

Over the past few days I think I have come up with a basic design. I'm going to use the robot arm base to provide the rotation and possibly the motor control of the dealer arm. I'm still trying to decide what to use as the feed. It needs to quickly propel a single card forward. Initially I thought a wheel might work but I'm not sure yet. I'm still experimenting.

I've already been working out the deck holder and mating it with the delivery system. I think that will be the hardest part. While I'm tinkering with it, I'm also going to investigate some other programming tools to see how I can expand the basic tool kit. I like the block based Lab View system, but I am a programmer and I often think better looking at lines of code rather than logical blocks. I've not decided that there is a better tool yet. I need to write some more complex programs before I make any decisions.

I'll post pictures/videos here throughout the process so you can share in the joys of success and the agony of defeat.