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. (Worth investigating whether clingfilm provides suitable protection, otherwise need to have some spares available and/or an over-ride mechanism).
• 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 signals: Enable, Step, Direction

The ATtiny85 in the platform provides a "glass present" signal. (0 = no glass, 1 = glass present)

Connections

• +12V
• Ground
• ENABLE, STEP, DIRECTION
• GLASS_PRESENT

Power

+12V, TBC mA

Bling

An awesome 24 RGB LED Neopixel ring!