Help needed automating a 2 axis David Laser scanner turntable
Posted: 03 Apr 2017, 04:44
Hi All,
I have a David Laser SLS-1 scanner and have built a two axis rotary table for scanning objects. I plan on scanning similar size/shaped objects, so my workflow will always be the same. However, I'd like to automate the workflow with an Arduino. Unfortunately, the very friendly and helpful David forum is no longer active, so I'm hope I'm not too late to the party and can find assistance on the software side here.
I'm decent with mechanicals, and they are mostly complete other than 3D printing an enclosure for the Arduino (will design and print one soon). I have a small Intel Nuc to run David 3.10.4, an Arduino Mega 2560, and an AdaFruit Motor Shield V2.0 for the stepper motors (NEMA 17).
Similar automated multiple axis turntables have been documented before, but my project is a little different. First, the A and B rotary axis aren't perpendicular to each other. The B axis is 45 degrees to the A axis, each axis driven by a 50:1 worm gear reduction. Hopefully this is understood from the photos. The axis orientation doesn't really affect the programming except the sequence of scans. The scan sequence will always be the same:
Scan 1: A axis: 0º; B axis:0º
Scan 2: A axis: 45º; B axis:0º
Scan 3: A axis: 90º; B axis:0º
Scan 4: A axis: 135º; B axis:0º
Scan 5: A axis: 180º; B axis:0º
Scan 6: A axis: 225º; B axis:0º
Scan 7: A axis: 270º; B axis:0º
Scan 8: A axis: 315º; B axis:0º, then B axis rotates,
Scan 9: A axis: 0º; B axis:180º
Scan 10: A axis: 180º; B axis:180º
Second, I've added a roller limit switch on each axis so it can "home" on start or before each scan, so the scans are consistently at the same angles. I don't recall any other similar projects with a homing function with limit switches, so addition coding may be necessary. It would be nice to add a "home" function button to the project.
Unfortunately, programming is not in my current skill set. I could learn, but as I have many other challenges to solve in my workflow, I'd rather someone with Arduino/David Laser skills do the programming. I'd be happy to try set up the Arduino, but my preference would be to ship it to someone so they can do it. Of course I am willing to compensate for the skills required. I'm located in Denver, CO and it is unlikely there is anyone to help locally. I'm hopeful someone such as Gunter, Sven, or WalterMo may be willing to take this on. For those that have done it before, it will be simple and would only require tweaking the code to the scan sequence about and adding homing function. Anyone interested? I can follow-up with more details if needed.
Of course, if there aren't any takers, I would be very grateful for any assistance tweaking the Arduino coding of similar projects to make it work. I simply don't have Arduino experience, so I'll have homework to get up to speed.
Thank-you!
I have a David Laser SLS-1 scanner and have built a two axis rotary table for scanning objects. I plan on scanning similar size/shaped objects, so my workflow will always be the same. However, I'd like to automate the workflow with an Arduino. Unfortunately, the very friendly and helpful David forum is no longer active, so I'm hope I'm not too late to the party and can find assistance on the software side here.
I'm decent with mechanicals, and they are mostly complete other than 3D printing an enclosure for the Arduino (will design and print one soon). I have a small Intel Nuc to run David 3.10.4, an Arduino Mega 2560, and an AdaFruit Motor Shield V2.0 for the stepper motors (NEMA 17).
Similar automated multiple axis turntables have been documented before, but my project is a little different. First, the A and B rotary axis aren't perpendicular to each other. The B axis is 45 degrees to the A axis, each axis driven by a 50:1 worm gear reduction. Hopefully this is understood from the photos. The axis orientation doesn't really affect the programming except the sequence of scans. The scan sequence will always be the same:
Scan 1: A axis: 0º; B axis:0º
Scan 2: A axis: 45º; B axis:0º
Scan 3: A axis: 90º; B axis:0º
Scan 4: A axis: 135º; B axis:0º
Scan 5: A axis: 180º; B axis:0º
Scan 6: A axis: 225º; B axis:0º
Scan 7: A axis: 270º; B axis:0º
Scan 8: A axis: 315º; B axis:0º, then B axis rotates,
Scan 9: A axis: 0º; B axis:180º
Scan 10: A axis: 180º; B axis:180º
Second, I've added a roller limit switch on each axis so it can "home" on start or before each scan, so the scans are consistently at the same angles. I don't recall any other similar projects with a homing function with limit switches, so addition coding may be necessary. It would be nice to add a "home" function button to the project.
Unfortunately, programming is not in my current skill set. I could learn, but as I have many other challenges to solve in my workflow, I'd rather someone with Arduino/David Laser skills do the programming. I'd be happy to try set up the Arduino, but my preference would be to ship it to someone so they can do it. Of course I am willing to compensate for the skills required. I'm located in Denver, CO and it is unlikely there is anyone to help locally. I'm hopeful someone such as Gunter, Sven, or WalterMo may be willing to take this on. For those that have done it before, it will be simple and would only require tweaking the code to the scan sequence about and adding homing function. Anyone interested? I can follow-up with more details if needed.
Of course, if there aren't any takers, I would be very grateful for any assistance tweaking the Arduino coding of similar projects to make it work. I simply don't have Arduino experience, so I'll have homework to get up to speed.
Thank-you!