Working on Prototype 03. Prototypes 01 & 02 didn't turn out very good.
Hopefully, this one will be a little better. I still haven't decided whether or not to use RF to connect the Stamp on the tractor to the Propeller on the trailer.
The plastic downspout measures ~3.15 x ~2.33 (outside dim's)
And - this is a sketch for a prototype - the final system is planed to deploy media onto a much larger, ~144 square foot area. The tractor is a Traxxas E-Maxx (dimensions are correct but details have been omitted on sketch).
Yes, the printer skips a gap which is about 3" wide.
I can live with that now because the intent is to provide a matrix of media deployment (probably in the form of a burst of paint, for example) using a 3" x 3" grid. I realize this resolution isn't very "close" but I plan on increasing the resolution after the working prototype is functional. This could incorporate a tractor guide that was much narrower, perhaps less than an inch, if necessary, or possibly even using another tractor guiding technique.
Actually, I always planned on coming back and manually "connecting the dots" that are placed using the PLP. This order of operation is a carry over from when my students used to create the large graphics at the center of the football field. We placed spray dots using 2 radii which were calculated using CAD software. It worked really well but was time consuming. The amount of paint used for a really large graphic, similar to one used at the center of a football field, for example, requires lots of paint and numerous subsequent touch-ups during the season when the field is in use (due to obvious wear and tear, grass being trimmed, et cetera). In this situation, and based on my previous experience, I believe the process will involve the following:
Step 1 --> Layout out the dots using the PLP
Step 2 --> Manually "connecting the dots" with spray painted lines
Step 3 --> Manually filling in the areas with spray paint
Topping my design criteria is "simple - functional - inexpensive," so, I'm not thinking precision, complex, expensive at the moment.
I can make the Boe-Bot stop at each mark, then keep going - no problem.
But how do I make it stop at mark #2, #7, #11, & #12? I've tried several options - nothing works. [noparse]:([/noparse]
Mega-thanks! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
' {$STAMP BS2}
' {$PBASIC 2.5}
counter VAR Word
time VAR Word
poscounter VAR Word
poscounter = 0
DO
HIGH 10
RCTIME 10, 1, time
IF time > 90 THEN ' QTI sees line (60 works well in "good light")
GOSUB Go_Stop
ELSE
GOSUB Go_Forward
ENDIF
DEBUG CLS, ? time
PAUSE 100
LOOP
Go_Forward:
PULSOUT 12, 740
PULSOUT 13, 760
PAUSE 50
RETURN
Go_Stop:
PULSOUT 12, 750
PULSOUT 13, 750
FREQOUT 4, 200, 3500
FOR counter = 1 TO 5
PULSOUT 12, 740
PULSOUT 13, 760
PAUSE 100
NEXT
RETURN
So much simpler . . . the spool will actually have a follower (not shown) with the code to accurately measure the cable. This way, it won't matter what diameter the cable is wrapped when it gets spooled. Also, there will be a tensioner so the spool of cable won't unwind when the spool is stopped for indexing. This method also resolves the "blind spot" for the "printer" (this design eliminates the center beam that provided indexing marks and steering alignment).
I lost a zillion of my drawings . . . found this one, not very good quality but you can see the software will allow anyone to create anything - technical, artistic, or both.
. . . if anyone wants to contribute to this project, please feel welcome to do so. Specifically, I could use some guidance in creating the following program. I can create a database of points that will be plotted - but getting the machine operable using the right code is . . . frankly, somewhat overwhelming. The Stamp will be handling the WINCH and the Propeller will be accomplishing the PLOTTER. I know this is fairly vague - sorry. I'm flying by the seat of my pants on this one. Any help is most appreciated - even encouragement is accepted. [noparse];)[/noparse]
Thanks,
Scope
[noparse]:)[/noparse]
PLP Program
Create plotting points
Send program to winch
Start program
----------------------------------
Communicate w/Printer
----------------------------------
Communicate w/Printer
Is printer ready?
Yes
Continue
No
Terminate program
----------------------------------
Move to Y Position
----------------------------------
Is a Y position available?
Yes
Move to Y position
Send x position information to printer
Send “Deploy Material” to printer
Receive “Message Completed” from printer?
Yes
Go to “Move to Y Position”
No
Wait for message from printer
No
Terminate program
----------------------------------
Deploy Material
----------------------------------
Move to point on X axis where media is deployed
Deploy media
Is another point on x axis?
Yes
Go to “Deploy Material”
No
Move to end of boom
Send completion message to Winch
, , , for some unexplained reason, I keep plodding ahead, convinced I have a remote chance of finishing this project before the deadline . . . this is before prototype 04 is even finished . . . oh well, I'm still really enjoying the project so . . . all is not lost, right?
Well . . . I didn't complete this on time but I'm going to continue working on it until it's completed.
Thanks for the help and encouragement thus far.
I'll update the project as it progresses . . . the final actual plotting area measures 2000mm square - it's big. Of course, it breaks down for easy transport - working out all the bugs is . . . oh well, ya'll know . . . fun, of course . . .
Sorry you didn't make the deadline, but I am glad to read you plan to complete it. I don't know which state you live in beacause it sure would be nice to come over and see it, encourage you and learn with you along the way.
I've made some good headway on my Propeller robots and hope to use the good summer weather for outdoors testing.
So keep up the good work and enjoy the journey!!!!!!!!
Thanks Tony - I live in Georgia, just outside Atlanta (the place Sherman burned).
The following diagram probably doesn't make much sense but I'm using all the components "on hand" and I'm a very visual person, so, graphics like this one help me get organized mentally so I at least have a chance of proceeding in a deliberate, efficient manner.
Comments
Hopefully, this one will be a little better. I still haven't decided whether or not to use RF to connect the Stamp on the tractor to the Propeller on the trailer.
The plastic downspout measures ~3.15 x ~2.33 (outside dim's)
And - this is a sketch for a prototype - the final system is planed to deploy media onto a much larger, ~144 square foot area. The tractor is a Traxxas E-Maxx (dimensions are correct but details have been omitted on sketch).
Post Edited (Scope) : 5/15/2010 4:51:23 PM GMT
-Phil
I can live with that now because the intent is to provide a matrix of media deployment (probably in the form of a burst of paint, for example) using a 3" x 3" grid. I realize this resolution isn't very "close" but I plan on increasing the resolution after the working prototype is functional. This could incorporate a tractor guide that was much narrower, perhaps less than an inch, if necessary, or possibly even using another tractor guiding technique.
Actually, I always planned on coming back and manually "connecting the dots" that are placed using the PLP. This order of operation is a carry over from when my students used to create the large graphics at the center of the football field. We placed spray dots using 2 radii which were calculated using CAD software. It worked really well but was time consuming. The amount of paint used for a really large graphic, similar to one used at the center of a football field, for example, requires lots of paint and numerous subsequent touch-ups during the season when the field is in use (due to obvious wear and tear, grass being trimmed, et cetera). In this situation, and based on my previous experience, I believe the process will involve the following:
Step 1 --> Layout out the dots using the PLP
Step 2 --> Manually "connecting the dots" with spray painted lines
Step 3 --> Manually filling in the areas with spray paint
Topping my design criteria is "simple - functional - inexpensive," so, I'm not thinking precision, complex, expensive at the moment.
Post Edited (Scope) : 5/15/2010 9:19:02 PM GMT
But how do I make it stop at mark #2, #7, #11, & #12? I've tried several options - nothing works. [noparse]:([/noparse]
Mega-thanks! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
' {$STAMP BS2} ' {$PBASIC 2.5} counter VAR Word time VAR Word poscounter VAR Word poscounter = 0 DO HIGH 10 RCTIME 10, 1, time IF time > 90 THEN ' QTI sees line (60 works well in "good light") GOSUB Go_Stop ELSE GOSUB Go_Forward ENDIF DEBUG CLS, ? time PAUSE 100 LOOP Go_Forward: PULSOUT 12, 740 PULSOUT 13, 760 PAUSE 50 RETURN Go_Stop: PULSOUT 12, 750 PULSOUT 13, 750 FREQOUT 4, 200, 3500 FOR counter = 1 TO 5 PULSOUT 12, 740 PULSOUT 13, 760 PAUSE 100 NEXT RETURNPost Edited (Scope) : 5/16/2010 5:57:40 PM GMT
-Phil
Google SketchUp - totally free.
I lost a zillion of my drawings . . . found this one, not very good quality but you can see the software will allow anyone to create anything - technical, artistic, or both.
Enjoy!
It's some kind of aerosol·green paint & fertilizer all in one; next best thing to·aerosol cheese!
I like your project. It reminds me a bit·of the Hektor robot, which painted on walls using·a·can of spray paint. See ·http://www.hektor.ch/Videos/Landscape.mov/
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
·"If you build it, they will come."
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Whit+
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
Thanks,
Scope
[noparse]:)[/noparse]
PLP Program Create plotting points Send program to winch Start program ---------------------------------- Communicate w/Printer ---------------------------------- Communicate w/Printer Is printer ready? Yes Continue No Terminate program ---------------------------------- Move to Y Position ---------------------------------- Is a Y position available? Yes Move to Y position Send x position information to printer Send “Deploy Material” to printer Receive “Message Completed” from printer? Yes Go to “Move to Y Position” No Wait for message from printer No Terminate program ---------------------------------- Deploy Material ---------------------------------- Move to point on X axis where media is deployed Deploy media Is another point on x axis? Yes Go to “Deploy Material” No Move to end of boom Send completion message to WinchThanks for the help and encouragement thus far.
I'll update the project as it progresses . . . the final actual plotting area measures 2000mm square - it's big. Of course, it breaks down for easy transport - working out all the bugs is . . . oh well, ya'll know . . . fun, of course . . .
Sorry you didn't make the deadline, but I am glad to read you plan to complete it. I don't know which state you live in beacause it sure would be nice to come over and see it, encourage you and learn with you along the way.
I've made some good headway on my Propeller robots and hope to use the good summer weather for outdoors testing.
So keep up the good work and enjoy the journey!!!!!!!!
Tony
The following diagram probably doesn't make much sense but I'm using all the components "on hand" and I'm a very visual person, so, graphics like this one help me get organized mentally so I at least have a chance of proceeding in a deliberate, efficient manner.
I live in Illinois.· So I guess I won't be stopping by anytime soon.
Like the diagram.· I'm always drawing and making sketches to get the old creative jucies flowing.· Some of my best work is on napkins.
Tony