DIY Servo controller

[ejkoeze]

I have worked through the parts list and added extra info on most (every) part regarding housing, pic if available, tolerances, etc.
PM me your email adress and I'll mail it for you to host.

Erik Jan

[Chris D]

Originally Posted by ejkoeze I have worked through the parts list and added extra info on most (every) part regarding housing, pic if available, tolerances, etc. PM me your email adress and I'll mail it for you to host. Erik Jan

Thanks Erik

You should have a PM here, Thanks!

Chris

[ejkoeze]

Windows Terminal program can be downloaded from
http://www.uhu-servo.de/UHU.zip

You can use this program to set the PID and other parameters. You can also see a graph displaying Servo lag in real time. You can tell the controller it has a position error and see how it reacts to that. In the near future it may be upgraded with a set / dir generator so you can do all the testing and setting up from one program.

Erik Jan

[bill south]

This is exciting. I'm an old (really) electronics vet and love to build things like this. Heck, most likely would have to convert my old smithy drill to cnc with this control system.
One thing I did not see was a source for the PC boards. Are these available. If not, do we have a pc board expert on board to draw upon???? Wine and Cheese galore!!!
billyjack

[ejkoeze]

Hello Bill,

There was a batch of pcbmade in Germany. I believe it to be around 400 pieces but it was a closed deal. This means that you had to order and pay in advance and that the number of pcb's equals the ordered number so there are probably none left.
However. If you're an electronics vet you should have no problems getting yourself a pcb. A highres layout (pdf print at 100%) is available so making a film (or toner transfer as I do) pcb is a breeze. The available PCB layout is exactly what was ordered bet the pro boards also had a silk screen, which again is easy to duplicaty using toner transfer and the parts layout pdf.

Best regards,

Erik Jan

[bill south]

Thanks Erik;
I'll look into purchasing a PCB mfg. kit and give it a shot. Your right, can't be very hard with the layout already done!
Unfortunately, it may be a moot point. I can't get a response from Uli at the URL provided. I requested that he provide me with 5 chips and let me know how to pay and I'd remit funds (name the price). I left both my work and home e-mail and can't get him to respond. The demand for these chips is most likely increasing to the point that he is overwhelmed.
Wonder if we could batch order a bunch and set up a payment method just to get them on hand??? I would gladly commit to 10 or 20 if they are not too expensive and farm them out. Any ideas. Hate to miss the bus because we can't get the material to do the job.
Thanks agiain.
billyjack

[Chris D]

Originally Posted by bill south Thanks Erik; I'll look into purchasing a PCB mfg. kit and give it a shot. Your right, can't be very hard with the layout already done! Unfortunately, it may be a moot point. I can't get a response from Uli at the URL provided. I requested that he provide me with 5 chips and let me know how to pay and I'd remit funds (name the price). I left both my work and home e-mail and can't get him to respond. The demand for these chips is most likely increasing to the point that he is overwhelmed. Wonder if we could batch order a bunch and set up a payment method just to get them on hand??? I would gladly commit to 10 or 20 if they are not too expensive and farm them out. Any ideas. Hate to miss the bus because we can't get the material to do the job. Thanks agiain. billyjack

Keep trying Uli - he has replied to me a couple of times about somthing and the email never got through to me. I don't know why that it is - perhaps his mail server is a bit flaky or something. I just kept sending him an email every couple of days till I got a relply.

Chris

[Mcgyver]

I have been following this thread with great interest. This last point highlights a concern I'd have .....while I in no way whatsoever begrudge the creator charging a little or even a lot of beer money - its awesome what they've done, I wonder about sustainability. It's a lot of building to undergo and be dependent upon the goodwill or even availability of one person and their hobby.

What options would you have if he was off the air and you either fried your last chip or wanted to start a new build?

[Chris D]

Originally Posted by Mcgyver I have been following this thread with great interest. This last point highlights a concern I'd have .....while I in no way whatsoever begrudge the creator charging a little or even a lot of beer money - its awesome what they've done, I wonder about sustainability. It's a lot of building to undergo and be dependent upon the goodwill or even availability of one person and their hobby. What options would you have if he was off the air and you either fried your last chip or wanted to start a new build?

The same options you would have if you selected Gecko drives and they went out of business - you would do something different. This method is just a whole lot more fun! Ofcourse ask me that again in a month or so when I try to tune the servos :-)

[ejkoeze]

Hey Chris,

I'll try to contact Uli for you. I know he's very busy (works too) and somtimes does not have the time to respond to emails. Supply of the Tinys is low (very low to be exact).
He left a message that all processors that were ordered until 2-12-05 were sent out so maybe yours are in transit right now. He has ordered new ones but did not get a delivery time.

I can send you an older processor at no cost (2.02t @ 10mhz) I'll have to look which is the latest version of the PCB you can use that with. If you get the most recent processors it's simply a matter of connecting to pairs of opposing pins on the tiny to run the lastest version. This version is outdated but fully functional. It doesn't run in interrupt mode and at 10 Mhz in stead of 24 mhz. Except for speed I don't know what the disadvantages are.

Erik Jan

[Chris D]

Originally Posted by ejkoeze Hey Chris, I'll try to contact Uli for you. I know he's very busy (works too) and somtimes does not have the time to respond to emails. Supply of the Tinys is low (very low to be exact). He left a message that all processors that were ordered until 2-12-05 were sent out so maybe yours are in transit right now. He has ordered new ones but did not get a delivery time. I can send you an older processor at no cost (2.02t @ 10mhz) I'll have to look which is the latest version of the PCB you can use that with. If you get the most recent processors it's simply a matter of connecting to pairs of opposing pins on the tiny to run the lastest version. This version is outdated but fully functional. It doesn't run in interrupt mode and at 10 Mhz in stead of 24 mhz. Except for speed I don't know what the disadvantages are. Erik Jan

Hi Erik,

I think you meant Bill, I already got my chips and Uli got his hot sauce. His last email mentioned he had never seen the one I sent him and that he liked it - what a hoot! Gotta love this sort of business exchange.

Chris

[ejkoeze]

And that's a big ooops.

Thats what you get when you read too fast.