Re: gEDA-user: OT - Joystick control of stepper or servo motors

["David C. Kerber" <dkerber@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

That might work if there was a (near) continuous speed control available.  The little beasties I'm trying to follow in the microscope move at widely varying speeds.


> -----Original Message-----
> From: geda-user-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> [mailto:geda-user-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Hannu Vuolasaho
> Sent: Monday, January 24, 2011 5:05 PM
> To: geda-user@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: gEDA-user: OT - Joystick control of stepper or 
> servo motors
> 
> 
> Does it have to be a joystick? I have found quite usable 
> small touchscreen and one button. It is like trackpad in 
> mouse size square  box and my thumb pushes the button on the 
> side. I use this with my PCB driller to place it right place. 
> First I have to use footswitch to operate the arm and then I 
> just slide drill to first hole and push the button. The arm 
> lowers and I can see where the drill will actually contact. 
> And I can't see my hand. Right hand is keeping door open and 
> my left is operating the arm. My head is inside the machine.
> 
> Just a thought.
> 
> Hannu Vuolasaho
> 
> > Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:55:03 -0600
> > From: cullennewsom@xxxxxxxxx
> > To: geda-user@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: Re: gEDA-user: OT - Joystick control of stepper or servo 
> > motors
> > 
> > My first thought is FTDI Vinculum or something like it. I'm 
> sure there 
> > are competitors as Vinculum has been around for a few years. I 
> > couldn't tell you if it is best inexpensive, but it at least looks 
> > fairly inexpensive.
> > 
> > 
> http://www.ftdichip.com/Products/Modules/DevelopmentModules.htm#Vincul
> > o
> > 
> > -Cullen
> > 
> > On Mon, Jan 24, 2011 at 9:19 AM, David C. Kerber 
> > <dkerber@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > > Hi, electronics gurus!  I'm looking for suggestions on 
> the best inexpensive way to use a USB game joystick to 
> control stepper or servo motors.
> > >
> > > The application is using a joystick to drive the the 
> platform positioning knobs on a microscope, to help me keep 
> the subjects in the field of view, while I'm photographing 
> them.  I'll also be adding the ability to trigger the camera 
> shutter with the joy stick, but I don't anticipate any 
> trouble with that part; it's the motion control side that I 
> have no experience with.
> > >
> > > Any suggestions?  Are steppers or servos better for this 
> use?  What should I use to control them, Arduino or a generic 
> motor control circuit?
> > >
> > > For background, I'm working as a programmer now, so I can 
> handle the programming.  My degree is in EE, but I haven't 
> used it in ~20 years, so I'm kind of rusty on the electronics 
> side but I'm sure it will come back.
> > >
> > > Dave
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > geda-user mailing list
> > > geda-user@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
> > >
> > 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > geda-user mailing list
> > geda-user@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
>  		 	   		  


_______________________________________________
geda-user mailing list
geda-user@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user