Jack,
The actual unit, the black anodized portion with the drive screw, stage and stepper motor, was purchased when I was in college, some 30 years ago in a surplus store in Pasadena, CA. I now finally found a use for it.
The control is an Arduino micro controller running a stepper motor circuit. I can set it from "home position" to any number of steps (displacement), pause for about 5 seconds so the setup ceases vibration, then take a photo. Step and repeat for a preset number of photos.
I'm still working on the part to shoot panos, both horizontal panning and vertical tilt. Requires 2 axis motion. No machinery on it yet. Don't think it is so useful because out in the field, the power requirement is not always available.
I did the machining to modify the stepper stage and built all the peripheral. Learned the Arduino programming and wrote the timing and used the Arduino resources available on the internet to get the program going.
This is what I do, mainly hired for instrumentation/servicing/designing electronics etc. Then it morphed to do computer administration, too. The latter part is not what I like to do, but it earns my salary.
I have a lot of these projects done (both personal and work) and still have a number in my plate to do, when I return from vacation in mid January.
If you have any projects in mind, I'd love to play with you. Let's talk.
-r
Jack Douglas said:
Riley, you and I could have a blast together creating gizmos! That's most impressive!!
I presume it will be computer driven with selectable drive distances.
I used to teach servo systems and motor drive concepts to technology students at the technical college where I worked but now electronics is not up there on my list. It's the mechanical aspects that enthuse me more and my love of getting on the lathe, welding, etc. We should put our heads together on some project.
Jack
However next time I am through there I will try to do better, but how to is another thing.
