BarBot/Components/Makerslide and Platform
Makerslide and platform
General Description
The 24 RGB Neopixel ring illuminated drinks platform glides along awesome Makerslide!
The platform is moved by a NEMA17 Stepper Motor, 1.8° per step, 1.7 A, 4000 g·cm stepper motor driven by a Pololu stepper driver. The AccelStepper library is used to control the stepper. One cm travel is approx 55 steps.
An ultrasonic sensor is used to detect the presence of a glass. This provides a signal to a local ATtiny85 in the platform, which in turn controls the Neopixel LEDs and provides a "glass present" signal to the master Arduino.
The left hand end of the Makerslide has a limit switch. This should be used to "zero" the stepper on each cycle.
Notes:
- Not sure whether the ultrasonic sensor will be affected by spills and splashes.
- To prevent overheating of the Pololu driver and/or stepper motor, it is recommended that the stepper driver is disabled whenever the platform is stationary. (However, this does present a risk of not knowing the position if it should be knocked whilst disabled.)
Mounting & hardware
T-slot nuts are used to invisibly (and very nicely) mount the Makerslide.
Logical
The Pololu driver needs three Arduino digital outputs: Enable, Step, Direction
The ATtiny85 in the platform provides a "glass present" signal. (0 = no glass, 1 = glass present)
A further "mode" signal is used to select ultrasonic diagnostic mode (if low when power applied), or over-ride the ultrasonic sensor (if low during normal mode).
Connections
| Wire colour | 9 way D pin | Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | 1 | +5V supply to ATtiny85 and Neopixel ring |
| Red | 2 | Stepper coil B |
| Blue | 3 | Stepper coil B |
| Green | 4 | Stepper coil A |
| Black | 5 | Stepper coil A |
| Yellow | 6 | Diagnostics / ultrasonic over-ride "mode" input |
| White | 8 | "Glass present" output |
| Brown | 9 | Ground |
Power
- Stepper motor / Pololu driver: +12V, TBC mA
- ATtiny85 / Neopixel ring: +5V, TBC mA
Bling
An awesome 24 RGB LED Neopixel ring!