Re: Black box again

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., dkowalcz@i... wrote:
> Hi Alan,
>
> Here's the chip I'm helping with:
>
> http://www.public.iastate.edu/~dkowalcz/rt900_1.pdf
>
> And here it is again on a proto-board with connectors, etc.., as
it
> might look to the consumer:
>
> http://www.public.iastate.edu/~dkowalcz/900000_1.pdf
>
> It's a "dumb box" type device, based on a PIC16C74, 3 axes and 16
> bits digital I/O. Tentatively named StepEx.
>
> My role on this project is to adjust TurboCNC to be able to drive
> this device as a user option, so right now I'm a little short on
the
> fine details. Have a look at http://rutex.com to see what the
> hardware guy is up to.
>
> Haven't got source yet, I should be getting a couple chips in the
> mail any day now to play with on my workbench.
>
> I'm also working on a "smart box" personally, since a chip that
> accepts just a motion command like "MOVE(params)" via COM/USB port
> and lets the computer know when it gets there seems a bit more
> flexible on the software side. But that hasn't gotten much farther
> than just some rudimentary specs and picking up a handful of PICs
and
> a "burner".
>
> BTW, thanks Ballendo for explaining "fire and forget" in this
> context...!
>
> Dave Kowalczyk
> Seattle WA
>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Alan Marconett KM6VV <KM6VV@a...>
wrote:
> > Hi Dave,
> >
> > "fire and forget"? USB's are getting easier to play with on the
> device
> > end, anyhow. The PC side? Well, I'm not anxious to write a
special
> > windoz driver! If a std. driver can be used (must need something
> like a
> > printer dump, right?), then that will simplify the task. Then
you'd
> > have to write the application in windoz too! I think ActiveWire
> (was
> > mentioned the other day) has some type of driver for DOS.
> >
> > http://www.activewireinc.com/
> >
> > I don't think I'd put all the smarts of a controller down in the
USB
> > (8051), probably just generate the pulses.
> >
> > Open source for PIC code to run 3 axis? Can I see? ;>)
> >
> > Timed updates. Yup, there is a USB xfer mode (isochronous) that
I
> think
> > does that within the 1ms frames.
> >
> > Talk about re-inventing the wheel. Saw a model of "Ezekiel's
> Wheel" the
> > other night on one of the "robot wars" type of show (I only watch
> for
> > the technology). Also saw a tube with wheels in it at right
angles
> used
> > for steering. Clever, but I didn't get a good enough look to
> figure out
> > how it worked. The tube was rotated to steer somehow.
> >
> > Alan KM6VV
> >
> >
> > dkowalcz@i... wrote:
> > >
> > > To list,
> > >
> > > Well, I'm currently co-developing a dumb box with another
semi-
> > > commercial hobbyist. It's an open source, PIC based device that
> > > handles 3 axes via serial port. Drawback is that it requires
> more or
> > > less timed updates still, just fewer and farther between.
Still
> in
> > > development - I'll let the list know when it's done, if it
flies
> that
> > > is.
> > >
> > > I think a good "fire and forget" USB smart controller on one
> chip
> > > is long overdue in this hobby. Commercial ones are around,
sure,
> but
> > > they start at about a G-note and typically aren't scalable. So
I
> got
> > > some PIC's to engineer one the other month.... That's still
> cooking
> > > too, but *way* on the back burner.
> > >
> > > Dave Kowalczyk
> > > Seattle WA
> > > not a huge fan of wheel re-invention either!