Currently, I am using gear motors to control both horizontal and vertical movement on a shooting rig (
http://jimmace.com/main/default.aspx...rs&out_c=shoot). These motors are controlled via a joystick. My current problems are that the gear motors are very slow and when engaged they turn at full speed, and they are noisy. I would like to make some upgrades to my current system as follows:
Variable speed motor control from a joystick.
Increased range both horizontal and vertical.
Reliability.
I looked into using linear actuators for vertical movement (elevation), but they are pretty bulky. Therefore, I was thinking about using stepper motors with an Acme threaded rod similar to what I have now. The total weight that the system will have to move is well under 20 pounds. Will a stepper motor fit this need. What other components will I need besides a motor controller and a joystick with potentiometers?
I am not an engineer, just a simple computer programmer, so please keep the explanations somewhat simple...
