Help with Components? What do I need to make this work ...

Dunedon

I'll start by prefacing this by saying I am NOT a electronics wizard ... very basic beginner at the best [noparse]:)[/noparse]

I think that the Basic Stamp I (or II) will do what I need it to do, but of course I'm not really sure.

PROBLEM: To build a controller for my puppet.· The puppet control is similar to a brake cable, and works in two directions.· Pulling the cable outwards or inwards causes one movement, rotating the cable causes a second movement.· What I would like to accomplish is:

1. To attach this cable to a set of servo's (or steppers) that can be worn in a unit on my belt ... that would randomly, or in a pattern, move the cable and cause the puppet to move without the need for hand control.
2. To connect to this box an extension control that can be held in my hand with buttons (or some other control type, I was thinking something like the pad on a video game controller) that will allow me to control the puppet "manually".· This can require a switch to be changed on the main box to turn of the auto, or preferably just override the automated movements.

SOLUTION REQUIREMENTS:· It's got to be small enough to hang on my belt, and be battery powered, preferable lasting 6-8 hours before batteries would have to be recharged.

So ... from what I've gathered from reading here, I would be able to do this with the Stamp and a couple of servo's or stepper motors.· What I don't know is what else I'd need, or if these is even a doable project· (or where to get some of the componets, like a box for it all and the "manual" controller).

Edit: I think this "BASIC Stamp 2pe Motherboard" would contain everything I needed from a power, microcontroller and servo control aspect that I need.· I'm not sure if I would need "Power Input, 3-pin Header I/O Daughterboard" though.· It does appear that that motherboard is small enough for my needs though, so I'm hoping that it contains everything I'd need.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated by myself and my puppet (who's current manual controller broke, which is what started this all) ... thanks in advance for any advice you can give!

- Keith



Post Edited (Dunedon) : 6/10/2008 3:36:43 PM GMT

Mike Green

From a power standpoint, the biggest issue will be the power required for the motors. Servos will be simpler than stepper motors to use. The battery capacity will depend mostly on how much of the time the motors are actually moving. A 6V R/C battery pack would be the easiest to use, but you could just get a battery holder for 5 cells (AA cells would give you up to 2.5 Amp hours while C cells would give you maybe twice that). One servo moving continuously might draw 1/4 to 1/2 Amp lightly loaded with more like 1 Amp when more heavily loaded. When idle, this drops to 0.01 Amp. The Stamp itself should draw less than 0.05 Amp. If the servos move less than 1/2 the time, you should be able to get the time you need with AA cells. If they're moving continuously, I'd go with the C cells.

You do want to use the Power Input Daughterboard. It provides the connectors for the servos (and possible pushbuttons) and a connector for the battery pack. You could wire up your own connectors, but the Daughterboard is ready to go with what you would need.

You probably want to use high torque standard servos with one set up to pull or push on the cable and one set up to twist the cable. You'll have to devise your own mechanical arrangement, but it should be pretty straightforward. You might be able to use smaller servos if the mechanical load is small enough. That would depend on your control cable and puppet.

Post Edited (Mike Green) : 6/10/2008 6:48:54 PM GMT