Ideas for Positional Switching Accuarcy
Ideas for Positional Switching Accuarcy
(OP)
Hi Everyone,
I am working on a home project and I have hit a wall and wanted to get some opinions from everyone else. Essentially what I have is a carousel (eight separate compartments) that is rotated by an electric motor turning right in the center. The way I have it now is the electric motor comes on for a set duration of time when the relay triggers. The time duration is supposed to be set to move the carousel ideally from the center of one compartment to the center of the the next. I need to find a more accurate way to do this though as it varies too much as more and more weight is removed as with each rotation a compartments contents are dropped. I was thinking some type of positional sensor of some sort? Magnetic maybe? I am getting confused and have been staring at this too long. I could implement a micro controller but I am trying to keep it simple and the cost low. I appreciate any insight anyone can offer.
Andrew
(A frustrated home project engineer)
I am working on a home project and I have hit a wall and wanted to get some opinions from everyone else. Essentially what I have is a carousel (eight separate compartments) that is rotated by an electric motor turning right in the center. The way I have it now is the electric motor comes on for a set duration of time when the relay triggers. The time duration is supposed to be set to move the carousel ideally from the center of one compartment to the center of the the next. I need to find a more accurate way to do this though as it varies too much as more and more weight is removed as with each rotation a compartments contents are dropped. I was thinking some type of positional sensor of some sort? Magnetic maybe? I am getting confused and have been staring at this too long. I could implement a micro controller but I am trying to keep it simple and the cost low. I appreciate any insight anyone can offer.
Andrew
(A frustrated home project engineer)





RE: Ideas for Positional Switching Accuarcy
RE: Ideas for Positional Switching Accuarcy
RE: Ideas for Positional Switching Accuarcy
RE: Ideas for Positional Switching Accuarcy
RE: Ideas for Positional Switching Accuarcy
RE: Ideas for Positional Switching Accuarcy
RE: Ideas for Positional Switching Accuarcy
RE: Ideas for Positional Switching Accuarcy
Before going the complicated route of stepper or servo motor control, I would start by using a small high speed motor and a worm gear to drive the platen, because they have the lowest backlash. The high gear ratio will provide you with the necessary torque to accelerate the platen when full, but the low speed will mean that slop in the motor turn-off time will not have as much effect on the positioning.
My guess as to the nature of your machine: vacation pet food dispenser... which, not to burst your bubble, already exist. And what they do is move the COVER, not the food tray. Less mass and it doesn't vary.
"Will work for salami"