I’ve been pondering for a while now on how to prevent a crash to these expensive Ball screws on my linear actuators.
And was if it was (simply) possible to switch the phases on the motors as to reverse the motion from CW to CCW and visa versa instead of slamming into the ends of the actuators, now I’m not speaking of a system/motor kill I would prefer just for the system to be reversed and keep on going.
As I’m an analogue age I was thinking a switch just like and end stop, one at each end of the component.
I watched the liteplacer vid, and the action (CW-CCW) is portrayed in this
I’m assuming this could be done in code, but how would this be achieved (reliably) particularly when I don’t seem to grasp this code thing.
Switching poles on the motor works an a brushed motor, i wouldnt recommend doing it on a running brushless motor. You’ll get some serious sparks, which will probably fry your controller. Switching the poles on the controller would just kill the controller straight away.
The “analoge” solution would be to let your switches cut-off power to the controller.
The digital solution would be to have the switches reverse the control velocity. Should be possible without too much customization of the code. But i wouldnt recommend trying that if you’re not familiar with coding embedded systems.
Why not add mechanical buffers? Springs or cushions?
In the example of the liteplacer normal position moves are commanded from the computer to the ODrive. The ODrive is telling the motor to move from position A to position B and back. This is supported by the default software and should be quite easy to achieve, but will require you to learn programming. I strongly advise you learn to code in python or c++ (arduino) before commiting to a project like this.
When you said switches I thought you meant something else, I’m sorry for the confusion.
Hi Jerry,
In my simulator I use a special firmware from a friend that has software endstops. You can tell the Odrive the max. Nr. of counts (travel way) you will allow it to move — and it will never go beyond. Its absolute reliable so far. And I am pushing my actuators to both limits.
Hi Wickie, firstly hope you and yours are well, also thank you for your reply.
So and having lots of fun on your sim?
So please tell me more of the special firmware that’s working for you, I know that you were having challenges with; I believe it was Razoredge correct me if I’m wrong!
Maybe your friend may lend it to me also, if that’s ok
Hi Jerry
my Sim runs mindblowing and when driving you forget sitting in a simulator. So its a lot of fun!
Regarding the firmware I sent you a PM…
Wickie
