Hi all,
Am new to the site and the world that is Arduino and wanted to build know knowledge of both hardware and the language to control lights, monors and valves in set sequences.
I'm looking to buy some hardware so i can firstly set it up, become familiar and write basic functions to a stepper motor for example, slowly adding more and more to create a sequesnce of events including flashing LEDs and actuators running in sequence/parallel.
So as i mentioned i'll start with a stand alone stepper motor, then as i get excited with progress the intention is to mount it to a cart ..maybe a simple elastic band, pully driven 4 wheel drive system!!
The idea is to mount it on a track system to keep it straight and have it stop at different points along the way for other motors and/or actuators to do their thing.
It will be something like the automated drinks dispensor a few people have created, but more soft drinks and something fun for the kids (when i manage to put a friendly interface to it).
- The cart will carry a glass along the track
- Decelerate and line up underneath a concentrated fruit drink
- Another motor or actuator will be triggered to pour a measure
- The track system will drive to another station
- Release a valve to add water
- The cart will take the glass back to the home location
- Flashing lights will indicate its ready
So there will be different stops along the track system and different valves to dispense water/soda/cola etc.
This maybe me giving too much information already, but i wanted to give you all an understanding of what i'm planning so pick the right controllor board to build off.
Ive looked into the Mega 2560 ..will this do the job? will i be able to add an interface to it eventually to run predefinded drinks from an interface.
Then i'll aso be buying a stepper motor and control board to get basic knowledge of running a motor ..eventually adding more motors and lights till i get closed to a desired end.
I was thinking the following to start off ..providing the mega is the right board for the job
-
Microcontroller Board Mega2560 16AU+ USB Cable For Arduino Module R3 MEGA2560 MI
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microcontroller-Board-Mega2560-16AU-USB-Cable-For-Arduino-Module-R3-MEGA2560-MI-/181531871876?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item2a44248a84 -
5V Stepper Step Motor + Driver Board ULN2003 28BYJ-48 For Arduino High Quality
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5V-Stepper-Step-Motor-Driver-Board-ULN2003-28BYJ-48-For-Arduino-High-Quality-/390637618674?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item5af3d105f2 -
or is this board better for the motor driver?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-5V-12V-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Board-ULN2003-4-phase-5-Line-GRS-/371220494313?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item566e7737e9 -
is there anything else i need to do the basics?
Thank you all in advance for your time, I look forward to starting a progress thread to share ideas!