Hi there - Ive been searching and found this website - spent some time browsing and also searching within it.
It looks like a lot of knowledge and experience here so I thought I'd join and ask for some expert advice and help.
This is my first post and to be honest I know so little about practical electronics (though know basic terms and generally understand the principles behind how an electromagnet works - i did some basic soldering once and can follow instructions well) and that I foresee a steep learning curve.
However I am prepared to learn and willing to take advice
I know there are a lot of steps in the project, so I guess I am asking if it is possible to build, what kind of estimate cost would the parts be (max $2000), and can a newbie like me with help from members here actually have a chance of being successful
The Project: a controlled electromagnet array of pressure buttons mounted on a carriage that travels along a pair of straight trammel type rods.
My aim is design and build an array (minimum 4 / max 16) of fingertip (1/2") sized 'buttons' that can be actuated by electromagnets to deliver pressure of approx 3 pounds (perhaps a little more), displacing the button 'head' about 1/2" toward 'target areas' that are about 1/2" directly below.
The buttons should be able to operate singly or simultaneously
The buttons will be side by side perhaps 1/8- 1/4 inch apart
The buttons will also be mounted on carriage that is mounted on two slide rods so the carriage can move along the slide rods (perhaps with a screw thread cut into the rods for a drive, drive belt, or some other means of moving the carriage to certain points back and forth on the rod trammel say within accuracy of 1/8")
The button response time should be a fast as practicable (at least 10 ms ) _ I think perhaps with some sort of spring return for each button that retracts the button once the electromagnet is turned off
The carriage response time should be about 250-500 ms
I'd like to control the system (and this is a first set of ideas and I'm open to suggestion) with something like arduino and USB using midi controller data
Using midi data is a requirement but the arduino is not
So im looking for a reality check on the possibility, a shopping list and some technical help on programming.
I have access to a workshop for metal and computers for programming.
I am looking forward to hearing from you all
Thanks in advance
W
It looks like a lot of knowledge and experience here so I thought I'd join and ask for some expert advice and help.
This is my first post and to be honest I know so little about practical electronics (though know basic terms and generally understand the principles behind how an electromagnet works - i did some basic soldering once and can follow instructions well) and that I foresee a steep learning curve.
However I am prepared to learn and willing to take advice
I know there are a lot of steps in the project, so I guess I am asking if it is possible to build, what kind of estimate cost would the parts be (max $2000), and can a newbie like me with help from members here actually have a chance of being successful
The Project: a controlled electromagnet array of pressure buttons mounted on a carriage that travels along a pair of straight trammel type rods.
My aim is design and build an array (minimum 4 / max 16) of fingertip (1/2") sized 'buttons' that can be actuated by electromagnets to deliver pressure of approx 3 pounds (perhaps a little more), displacing the button 'head' about 1/2" toward 'target areas' that are about 1/2" directly below.
The buttons should be able to operate singly or simultaneously
The buttons will be side by side perhaps 1/8- 1/4 inch apart
The buttons will also be mounted on carriage that is mounted on two slide rods so the carriage can move along the slide rods (perhaps with a screw thread cut into the rods for a drive, drive belt, or some other means of moving the carriage to certain points back and forth on the rod trammel say within accuracy of 1/8")
The button response time should be a fast as practicable (at least 10 ms ) _ I think perhaps with some sort of spring return for each button that retracts the button once the electromagnet is turned off
The carriage response time should be about 250-500 ms
I'd like to control the system (and this is a first set of ideas and I'm open to suggestion) with something like arduino and USB using midi controller data
Using midi data is a requirement but the arduino is not
So im looking for a reality check on the possibility, a shopping list and some technical help on programming.
I have access to a workshop for metal and computers for programming.
I am looking forward to hearing from you all
Thanks in advance
W