USB servo controller and Windows Startup

Boddaker

Hey guys,

Not sure where to post this, so I thought I'd start here. [noparse]:)[/noparse] I need some help on my little project, as this is the first time I've used servo motors.
Here's my project in a nutshell: I got myself a couple continuous rotation servos, a USB controller, and a sliding flexible door mounted on the side of my computer case. I've got each servo connected to rollers on each side of the opening, with the flexible door wrapping around them. The right half of the door is clear while the left half is not. The idea is to have the door slide open to reveal the inside of the case upon Windows startup, then close automatically when Windows shuts down.

Ok, that's a pretty big nutshell! lol Please let me know if that all makes sense to you. I can post pictures if need be.

So my question is, how can I make the PSC run the "open" sequence at Windows startup? Would I have to initiate the interface first, then instruct it to run a specific .psc file? Or will this controller accept commands in ASCII format?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

FireHopper

this is how I would do it, I would make 2 small windows exe files.. usuing your favorite programming language, (I'd use REALbasic for the windows machine,(only cause I've used the same thing on a mac to make a mac program to controll the psc for my costume and I know it works.)

you'd have to open the serial port the psc turns out to be, send the command, then close the serial port, and then exit the program.. not too hard really

Franklin

Not to be a spoil-sport but I would use a DC motor and limit switches. Keep the servos and PSC for projects that meed the smarts.

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- Stephen

Boddaker

FireHopper said...
this is how I would do it, I would make 2 small windows exe files.. usuing your favorite programming language, (I'd use REALbasic for the windows machine,(only cause I've used the same thing on a mac to make a mac program to controll the psc for my costume and I know it works.)

you'd have to open the serial port the psc turns out to be, send the command, then close the serial port, and then exit the program.. not too hard really

So will those exe files contain commands to launch the interface and run the sequences, or do they have the raw numerical values that instructs the controller what actions to take? Can you give an example? I'm not a programmer, so I don't know any language higher than ascii code and basic lol. Sorry to be a pain.

FireHopper

I'd be using visual basic or Realbasic. and it would open the port, send serial commands out the port, then close the port..
I can do it fairly quickly on a mac or PC via realbasic since I know it can be done via real basic. Since I wrote a program to controll the USB PSC via the mac, since there wasn't a program available .

pwillard

Forget the DC motor with limit switches or servo's... try using one of these:

http://www.builders-in-scale.com/bis/sm-home.html

Pete

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There's nothing like a new idea and a warm soldering iron.