I need to control two PQ12-R actuators and I am thinking to use Arduino nano. Is it possible to control the two actuators with wireless at the same time? What other modules do I need for this project?
For more information, the maximum distance between the Arduino and actuators will not be more than 10 cm. However, the wires affect the motion of my device by a large extent. The other challenging issue is the size of the whole device which should be as small as possible (15-20 cm). Are there other alternatives smaller than Arduino nano?
As far as I can see those devices appear to an Arduino as servos and can be controlled with the Servo library. That means that each actuator needs to have its signal and GND wires connected to the Arduino.
If you want a wireless connection then that means having a second Arduino and a suitable wireless module on both Arduinos. And that is perfectly feasible. Have a look at this Simple nRF24L01+ Tutorial
This means that I can use two Arduino nano with two wireless modules. So each motors has one Arduino + wireless module. Do you know smaller alternatives to Arduino nano with wireless?
@meltDown I am going to make a robot with two motors (actuators) such that the motors should not connected via cables. In other words, The motors will move relative to each other and If I use wires then they will be stretched and bend several times in one second.
Therefore, I need to separate two motors completely and I want to avoid any physical connection between them.
Seems to me you will need a nano and a wireless module strapped to each motor, and at least one other nano and wireless module to tell the others what to do.
alishakeri:
This means that I can use two Arduino nano with two wireless modules. So each motors has one Arduino + wireless module. Do you know smaller alternatives to Arduino nano with wireless?
That suggests to me that you need three Arduinos - one for each motor and a third one to act as the controller that sends the instructions.
Unless, of course, one of the motor control Arduinos has the role of master and the other one acts as its slave.
Why do you need to be wireless, you will need power supply wires?
Can you please tell us your application?
What are you doing with the actuators?
Can you tell us your electronics, programming, arduino, hardware experience?
Thanks... Tom..
Thank you for the welcome. Regarding your last question, I do not know electronics, but I am good at C/C++/Python. I also played with Arduino UNO by just running some already developed examples. My background is physics, and I want to make this device to do an experiment.
You are right. I need wires for power supply. Therefore I am thinking to use two power supplies (one for each actuator). Let me explain the device that I am going to bulid:
My device consists of three spheres (4-5cm diameter) in a line which are connected by two moving actuators. Everything should fit inside the spheres and only the actuator stroke which connects the spheres is out. The smallest actuators that I know are PQ12-R with stroke length of 2cm. The dynamic of the actuators is pretty easy. Here is one cycle of movement:
Initially both actuators are in the expanded mode.
The left actuators contracts.
Then the right actuator contracts.
The left actuator opens.
The right actuator opens and the cycle is complete.
My current plan is to put one actuator in right sphere and one actuator in left sphere and the middle sphere remains empty. For each of the actuators I need a power supply and a controller with wireless module. Since the spheres move relative to each other (about 2cm) I prefer to not use any connecting wires between them. In addition, the wires affect the geometry and might also affect the dynamics of the device.
