I'm a visual artist working on a project that is using two servo motors to make a rope "fountain" from a 20m loop of rope. The controller that was specified by my suppliers doesn't seem to be up to the job unfortunately, so I am looking to change to an Arduino "Uno".
Because I have never used any Arduino products before, and have a looming deadline, I am thinking that the best way forward is to pay someone to write some code to get things going. After which I can hopefully fine tune things from there as I prototype.
The idea is that when someone approaches it, a movement sensor turns a relay on, which starts one of 5 cycles that lasts for 5 minutes ( eg ramp up to 2000 rpm over 10 secs, hold for 30 secs, slow to 0 rpm over 20 secs and stay at 0 rpm for 240 secs. ). When the movement sensor is activated again, the next cycle starts - when all 5 have been used, it starts back at cycle 1 etc. If there is a tangle, a limit switch turns on which starts an "untangle" cycle ( eg. reverse motors at 50 rpm for 120 secs, stop, then forward at 100 rpm for 120 secs.).
If someone is willing to take it on, I can forward on more details. This is an art project with a limited budget, so the pay scale will reflect that harsh reality unfortunately.
Excuse the tardy response. I'm new to this forum, so didn't know you had replied as I was looking in the wrong place. Besides, I have been chained to the workbench trying to get these motors spinning.
I have 4 x 36 V power supplies powering the motors, tuned to 60V for each motor, (2x2 wired in series). I was assured that this arrangement and setup would be fine by the suppliers. So far there hasn't been a problem with the power, thankfully.
Though the problems with the controller I bought originally and the drives have been making up for it. Trying to get my head around the Arduino has opened another can of worms too.
Thanks for your thoughts; now I'm a bit worried that someone like yourself with over 28k posts on Arduino is a bit uncomfortable trying this......
Neither have I. And yes, there have been quite a few uncomfortable moments so far for me. Probably more to come.
On a more positive note, I got the drives tuned a bit better yesterday and the motors working with the controller that was specified originally. It's is not very smooth, and very clunky to program.
I am very keen to see what the Arduino can do with the system.
Here's a link to one of the first test throws I did last night.