not sure where to turn for help

[ArtMaybee]

Ok, to start I'm very new to cnc and not very familiar with electronics.

I need to find somebody willing to take on a small challenge. Or maybe it wouldn't be much challenge at all.

I need to find somebody to assist in reverse-engineering a part that is analog and taking the information gathered to build a version of the part that could have certain settings changed.
The current pcb is about 3"x3" and the traces aren't extremely fine. The board doesn't seem to be terribly dense in component population. I would be willing to buy the boards either bare or assembeld from whoever assists. If that person or people aren't interested in selling the boards, maybe I could find somebody else here wanting to make a few extra hobby dollars.

I could send the original part to whover wanted to help. The part is actually a cdi ignition if that helps anyone. I want a part that the ignition timing can be adjusted on.preferrably by loading new tables into it. If somebody wants to help but isn't interested in the software end of it, I'm sure somebody can be found to assist on that end.

This is for a somewhat limited market but there is demand. The lower production number make this ideal for making boards with cnc I think. I can dig up pictures of the board. I do have some. I should be able to take pics of the board myself soon but currently have to wait for it to finish soaking to remove the potting material. I have many of these so don't mind if a couple must be sacrificed.

Pm me please if I don't respond to you reply quickly. I'm not getting notices of replies.
A basic design should also be usable in a few different applications which widens the market for these a bit too.

Just figured simething like this could be made using a microcontroller with relatively little fuss. My thought was that most of the hair pulling might be in building the app for making adjustments and uploading updates to the board.

I'm just an individual so no deep pockets here. I have seen projects that others have made that working on a similar idea but the boar I need should fit in the same envelope as the original or wouldn't fit the application.

I'm open to suggestions for how to go about this even if you aren't interested in being involved.
Thanks

[ArtMaybee]

I was just thinking and I'm not sure exactly what might be required when reverse engineering the OEM board or during development of the new board and software. To me it seems like running the two stroke engine. For using a scope or whatever might be required . It might be easier to build a sort of test stand.

I was thinking a shaft running in pillow blocks with a plate to mount the stator and possibly cutting the end off a bad crank and attaching it to the shaft in a way where different shafts could be mounted for testing with different flywheel and stator combos. The shaft could be turned by a motor with speed control. The shaft should be capable of turning between 1100 and 8000rpm to simulate engine rpms. The shaft could have a rpm sensor to ensure accurate rpm from the motor. I guess a circuit to be built to register signal normally sent to the coil to generate spark. Though I have no idea whether that is needed or how it would be accomplished.

I just figured that having the ability to run the ignition system on he bench rather than needing to run the actual motor for development/testing purposes would be a plus. Was thinking that being able to verify advance at specific rpms, test that the ignition doesn't lose accuracy over certain rpms, test operation of different circuit configurations, whatever and never needing to install test boards to an engine until a decently refined board is made would be nice.

One thing to work out would be making sure the motor is strong enough to turn with the power draw of the charge coils. I would say just disable the charge coils but some ignitions take power from those coils to operate. Others take power from the battery. I'm not sure which is the best solution.

I should be able to build the test stand with little trouble. I would of course be lost if it needs to pick up the spark signal and would need to google for the best way to setup the speed control, tach sensor, etc.

Either way, I may build this or a similar setup since it could come in handy for testing CDIs, stator coils, charge coils, etc. Giving me the ability to install these items with confidence they will work once installed.

I would love input about this idea whether to point out flaws in my thinking or make suggestions.

[ArtMaybee]

Ok, maybe somebody could make suggestions on boards or sites I can visit to gain the knowledge I need for accomplishing this? I'm a composites guy but work in IT ans have limited programming experience. I do have access to several talented programmers though. If I can't find anyone interested in assisting ont this I am willing to learn enough to accomplish this myself.

I was curious about whether something could be made using one of the small arduino boards.

There isn't too much functionality involved. It gets a timing pulse from the coil on the stator when triggered by the flywheel, advances or retards the signal sent to the coil based on tables in memory, shut off engine when stop button is pushed ans turn off the ignition, turn ignition on when start button is pushed, a usb interface for uploading new timing tables to the board.

[Jay C]

AVR Freaks is one site you could check for an independent developer. If you had the circuit already in Eagle, it's simple to export to Gcode. Depending on the size constraints of the traces it could be easy to mill it too.

However what I read was you wanted someone to reverse engineer an existing product. Nothing specific to the forum of milling your own PCBs. There is a forum member in here that does some custom automotive custom circuits on his blog. He also has a high-dollar PCB specific mill. I'll see if I can find his post for you.

-Jay

[Jay C]

Here: AccurateCNC 360

charliex is his member name.

[Zig]

About 10 years ago there was a kit on the market ( downunder ) based on microchip 16f84 microcontroller which did just that.

Sensed timing and adjusted it according to engine condition.

a very straight forward affair. On switch on the micro would calculate the look up table and once the egine was kicked over the unit would step in and adjust the timing.

Will see if I still have the article.

[RomanLini]

It sounds like a motorcycle CDI ignition or similar.

Have you checked out Dyna and Crane? They both offer a number of adjustable performance ignition systems for motorcycles where you can adjust all the parameters, and they are quite affordable too. There are a few other brands also but those 2 are the ones I remember offhand.

And if you are thinking of entering this market you should *really* check out all the brands as it is a very competetive market with many big players that have decades of experience and high tech labs, engine dynos, racing sponsorships etc.