Using a Uno as a multi use controller

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1

Using a Uno as a multi use controller
Today at 01:56 am
Hi,

New guy here. I've built several analog projects but this is my first foray into digital and I may not be on the right track. So here is a little about the project and what I need it to do:

This will be a controller for a turning target system at a gun club. It will control a solenoid, via relay, that in turn activates a 1.5"x 10" double acting pneumatic cylinder that turns 14 target holders through a 90 degree arc ("Turn" and "Face") All of the mechanicals are in place. In some semblance of order here are the things that need to happen:

An rfid card reader for 125 KH cards. (This target system is going to be available to all of our members but there will be an extra fee and orientation to use hence the card reader. These are the type of cards that our members have to access the club already so it will be good if they only have to carry one card for all access.) There is one for about $5 on eBay that looks like it will do the job but I am open to suggestion as to the best unit to use.

Outputs to control a main power relay to send 120VAC to the rest of the system (turns on a compressor and closes an air supply drain valve, turns on a P/A system) and turns on a 24VDC power supply to power the cylinder control solenoid.

In no particular order here's what I would like for the controller to do:

A push button to "edge" and "face" the targets.

Timer for 10, 20, and 60 seconds plus a sequence of the targets "facing" 5 times for 2 seconds each time at random intervals over 30 seconds. The last would be great to have but others are mandatory and probably much easier to program.

Voice. We have a timer for our indoor range that we bought from "Target Timers" in Canada and after he made a few mods for us to work with the pneumatic turner that I built it works great.
One of the best features is a voice file that takes over after the Range Master has given the command to load. At that point the R/M pushes the start button and the voice gives the final three commands at 3 second intervals then the targets face for the correct time. (I would be using another of these for this application but there is a delay in the control solenoid switching that makes me think that in order for the target to be faced for say 10 seconds the timer will have to be set for a little longer.) I would have it do even more of the commands if possible as giving the commands 45 times in a day gets old.
So, is there a shield that will handle a goodly number of sound files ?

Occasionally the indoor timer loses its way and stops working so it has a "reset" button that you press to clear it and then start over. I have no idea what digital goodies make up that timer but it does make me wonder if a similar reset button would be needed on this one.

Thank you for taking the time to wade through this.

Joe

2

Hi,

Not familiar with gun clubs, but reading your spec sheet, does make me wonder if you are trying to re-invent the wheel ?
Would have thought similar devices were already around ? though expensive ?

Going on your specs , think using a Mega2560 would give you more i/os to play with than the limited Uno.
Expect you will find you need more for things like displays etc.

Think most of your requirements could be met, though each is really a small proect on its own, so would suggest you work on that basis / modular fashion rather than trying to build them all at once.

My biggest concern would be the real world interface to the powered devices all of which can create lots of electrical nosie that can upset the Arduino, as already happens to your other timer.

You will need to take lots of advice and precautions in your programming ,board and wiring layout /shielding etc to avoid such problems.

Also consider that this is not a simple project and its likely to take months of hard work and money to produce a final working model, rather than a quickly lashed up breadboard prototype on the work bench.

Are you doing it all yourself or have some others to help ?

3

Thanks for the reply!

For me one of the things that comes out of posting on a forum is that by putting my thoughts into print it helps me focus on how to achieve my goal. So yes, there are products out there that might be adapted to work, like the unit that we already have for the Indoor range.

By this morning I have decided that I will get another latching relay and plumb/wire this up in the shop and see if the 10 and 20 second settings on the indoor timer actually supply the same times with the control solenoid that I have. If not, then I need to proceed as planned or change to a different solenoid group, the indoor unit has four that are wired in pairs with each pair supplying pressure to one side of the piston and opening the exhaust port for the other side, that is faster acting than the piloted air unit that we have now. In the mean time I'll familiarize myself with the Mega 2560.

If our existing timer can be made to work then I think, outside of creating the "packaging" of the project, the card reader is the only additional project that would be needed and that looks fairly straight forward as long as I can find a 125 KH reader. We are using a Door King system for main gate and clubhouse entry and they do have a stand alone card reader so as usual it will come down to time versus money.

Interference can be a problem, I had to switch from a simple wireless TX RX setup indoors to a wired connection due to some kind of RFI. Bluetooth may have been a solution but wasn't as easy to get stuff for back then.

There are a dozen or so of us Bullseye shooters at the Club and just a few of us are working on the project. We have some great fabricators but I am the only guy with electronic experience, mostly automotive but I do love learning new things, so I see your point about the time factor. I do like the concept of breaking it down into smaller, individual projects so that is something for me to keep in mind.

Thanks again for the input,
Joe