not possible.
For an experienced programmer, the PIC
products and Motorola 9S12C are good
embedded microcontroller solutions. Very
powerful, but not for the beginner. Other
controllers that may have merit, but I have not
used are the BASIC Stamp and Propeller by
Parallax; and Atom, Atom Pro, and Atom Nano
by Basic Micro.
The DigiMix3 is easy to use, and can do
some things well but not everything. Price is $50
and it is available from Robotmarketplace.com.
For the average weekend program warrior,
the Arduino Nano is a good first choice. Even
this small chip (the size of a BASIC Stamp) has a
USB programming connector. The Arduino
website links to various suppliers. I got mine for
$35 from Gravitech at http://store.gravitech
.us/ arduino.html.
I consider an oscilloscope mandatory to see what the
inputs and outputs are doing. I use a Hobbylab USB
scope that costs $130.
Photo 5. Top is DigiMix3, below is Arduino Nano with the hand-wired
connection board underneath.
retracted and the motor is physically disconnected from
the AX1500. Gear-on enables the lifter motion. Throttle
channel controls position. While this worked well, it is
very large compared to a Victor.
7. AX500 from RobotEQ. Smaller amp version
of the AX1500. Same pros and cons.
The MotionMind and AX1500/500 do what they
were designed for well, and have many functions that
would be hard to equal. If their built-in features match
your needs, they are an excellent off-the-shelf solution.
However, customizing beyond what it already does is
I hope this helps if you want to tinker with closed
loop lifter control or microcontrollers in general. The
advances that have been made in the last 10 years are
amazing. Microcontrollers are within reach of even the
most budget-minded hobbyist. There are plenty of
tutorials on line for whatever route you take. You can get
started for $50 or less. Add $100-$200 if you need a USB
scope. Good luck! SV
POTP URRI
● by Kevin M. Berry
Having received zero negative
feedback on the initial version of
Potpourri in December ‘ 10's issue,
I've decided to do it again.
(Of course, I didn't get any
positive feedback either. I never
do. You never write. You never
call. You don't email me any more
... sorry! Midwest mom guilt-trip
flashback.)
Here's some "take" from the
forums. Hope you find some of it
sweet smelling — like machine oil,
magic smoke, and freshly cut
titanium.
Lithium-Ion vs.
Lithium-Polymer
A builder writes: "I'm looking
into a new build and would
like to use a higher density
battery system besides the
aging NiCaD and NiMH
cells I have been using. The
Lithium-Ion or Lithium-Polymer batteries seem to be
what I'm looking for. In my
research, it seems the Li-Ion
system is more robust than
the Li-Poly, and doesn't
charging and discharging. I
haven't found any information on
Li-Ion packs requiring balancing
like the Li-Poly packs do. I already
30 SERVO 02.2011
