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
Bling
An awesome 24 RGB LED Neopixel ring!