I want to build a positioner similar to a Tiger Stop.
I hope to be able to use a tablet or laptop for the screen and be able to punch measurements in and have it move the stepper motor accordingly. Ideally also being able to work my way down an excel cut list just selecting the measurements.
My question is what path do I need to take to make this happen? How do I talk to the Arduino (from typing numbers in to useable code), would I need other software? Is there an easier way.
I know this is a pretty open ended question. I have spent countless hours trying to learn learn this but I'm a beginner and don't know what I should be looking for.
I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Then I can make some purchases and dive into learning hands on.
If I Google "tiger stop" I discover there are hundreds of such devices possible. Just what are you designing and how is it supposed to work, including actual numbers?
I am custom cabinet maker running a smaller shop. What I hope to accomplish is to have a slide that works just like a Tiger stop. They have multiple designs and they are quite expensive $7-8K, I'm not sure cut list capabilities would even be incorporated for that price range.
The reason to build instead of buying is once I go through the process once and feel comfortable I hope to incorporate this type of tech. into other areas in the shop, the possibilities are endless.
Ideally I would like to get 96" stroke on the linear slide, I have an used linear set up that has been stripped of all electronics and was hoping to try to set it up with a new stepper and the necessary parts. From the movement side of things I have a plan (hopefully works).
From the the electronics side of things I'm clueless. I just ordered some parts to play around with a Uno R3, power supply, stepper, driver. These were just cheapies off Amazon but I hope to get an education out of them.
What I am really am not sure about is getting to operate efficiently, so when I punch in 23 1/2" and hit go the stop will move the 23 1/2". Ideally I would like to have an screen interface that has a keypad (to make manual entries) and a area that scrolls a cut list that comes off of excel, so I can click a line on the cut list and it moves to that position (no manual entry).
Apparently it is possible to create G-code from Excel would this be enough to sent to the Uno and have it move the motor? Do I need or should I have a different software to make this happen?
I attached a couple of pics of the positioner I hope to repurpose, it's a little ratty but will clean up.
I found a video of basically what I hope to accomplish. One Question I have is instead of the small key pad I would like to be able to use a tablet for both the readout and the keypad. Also the ability to pull measurements from a cut list that comes from excel. Is this feasible?
slin99:
I found a video of basically what I hope to accomplish. One Question I have is instead of the small key pad I would like to be able to use a tablet for both the readout and the keypad. Also the ability to pull measurements from a cut list that comes from excel. Is this feasible?