DC motor control

Thread Starter

SammyJenn

Joined Oct 9, 2014
4
Hey guys

I need suggestions please:

I have 4 dc motors fitted to the underside of a portable platform.
These motors must engage on my command then turn the "worm gear" that will in turn lower the stabilizer arms to level out the platform.
I am looking for a micro controller that can be programmed to do this.

I know this will most probably not be a quick fix thing but am willing to learn, no rush.

Please advise

Thanks in advance
 

John P

Joined Oct 14, 2008
2,025
My first question is why 4 motors? Having too many motors lets you get into trouble if they aren't properly coordinated. With 3, you can be sure that nothing will jam.

And, what is the sensing device that tells you the angle ("angles" really) of the platform versus a true horizontal?
 

elabsp

Joined Oct 23, 2013
13
I have 4 dc motors fitted to the underside of a portable platform.
These motors must engage on my command then turn the "worm gear" that will in turn lower the stabilizer arms to level out the platform.
I am looking for a micro controller that can be programmed to do this.
Thanks in advance
I will recommend you to use small controller for doing this job such as Siemens LOGO controller
http://www.msosol.com/plchouse/

OMRON ZEN NANO PLC
http://datasheet.octopart.com/ZEN-10C1AR-A-V1-Omron-datasheet-4492.pdf

These are ideal for performing such tasks. In which you will get small LCD and you can write/ erase program easily.
 

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
28,619
I did this once for a project that used four screw jacks to lift a railway box car on each corner, I ended up using a Galil stand-alone 1500 servo unit http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro....TRC0.H0.Xgalil+1500&_nkw=galil+1500&_sacat=0
I used four servo motors with encoders, the Galil controllers have the feature of electronic gearing, IOW 3 slave motors can be geared off of a master encoder, the electronic gear ratio can be changed to tune each in exactly.
The software is free and uses very simple 2 letter mnemonics.
 

Thread Starter

SammyJenn

Joined Oct 9, 2014
4
My first question is why 4 motors? Having too many motors lets you get into trouble if they aren't properly coordinated. With 3, you can be sure that nothing will jam.

And, what is the sensing device that tells you the angle ("angles" really) of the platform versus a true horizontal?

The platform has 4 arms on each corner that can be adjusted up/down wit the use of a "wheel nut spanner" type tool.
So 3 motors will not do the trick if you see my meaning.
I want to "automate" this because doing this each time with the "tyre tool" is tedious to be honest.

Well regarding the leveling/angle please advise, open to all/any suggestions/comments.
Taking this one step at a time but please hit me.

Thanks
 

Thread Starter

SammyJenn

Joined Oct 9, 2014
4
I will recommend you to use small controller for doing this job such as Siemens LOGO controller
http://www.msosol.com/plchouse/

OMRON ZEN NANO PLC
http://datasheet.octopart.com/ZEN-10C1AR-A-V1-Omron-datasheet-4492.pdf

These are ideal for performing such tasks. In which you will get small LCD and you can write/ erase program easily.
I did this once for a project that used four screw jacks to lift a railway box car on each corner, I ended up using a Galil stand-alone 1500 servo unit http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xgalil 1500&_nkw=galil 1500&_sacat=0
I used four servo motors with encoders, the Galil controllers have the feature of electronic gearing, IOW 3 slave motors can be geared off of a master encoder, the electronic gear ratio can be changed to tune each in exactly.
The software is free and uses very simple 2 letter mnemonics.
Very nice but not what I had in mind. Thanks though
 
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