Arduino Pan/Tilt mechanism

Show or discuss your existing Home automation project here, so a detailed explanation!.....
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Digit
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Arduino Pan/Tilt mechanism

Post by Digit »

Ok, actually this isn't a "project" yet but only a first step towards something more complex, but i just wanted to share this to show how easy it is to create something yourself with an Arduino, 2 servo's and some pieces of metal [:D]



Just to test the Pan & Tilt mechanism i created a very small sketch for the Arduino:

Code: Select all

#include <ServoTimer1.h>

ServoTimer1 servo1;
ServoTimer1 servo2;

byte ang1 = 0;
byte ang2 = 90;
byte d1 = 1;
byte d2 = 1;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);           // set up Serial library at 9600 bps
  Serial.println("Servo test!");
  servo1.attach(10);
  servo2.attach(9);
}


void loop() {
  Serial.print("tick");
  servo1.write(ang1);
  servo2.write(ang2);
    
  ang1 += d1;
  ang2 += d2;
  
  if ((ang1 >= 180)||(ang1 <=0))
  {
    d1 = -d1;
  };
  
  if ((ang2 >= 180)||(ang2 <= 90))
  {
    d2 = -d2;
  };
  
  delay(50);
}
That's all there is to it!

These servo's are well capable of moving a camera around, but don't try to attach a solar panel to this [:D]



<hr noshade size="1"><font size="1">Robert
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Digit
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Arduino Pan/Tilt mechanism

Post by Digit »

LOL, your topic was on my mind while i made this video, but yes if you can find servo's strong enough, maybe ???
But certainly not with these cheap servo's i am using..

<hr noshade size="1"><font size="1">Robert
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drmacchi
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Arduino Pan/Tilt mechanism

Post by drmacchi »

<font color="red">Is it enough 28kg*cm , 6V ?</font id="red">

SERVO GIGANTE GWS 24 KG - 63x32x61,6 mm

Servo gigante super potente, dotato di ingranaggi in metallo e due cuscinetti a sfera, questo servo in grado di fornire otto volte (24 kg) la coppia di torsione di un servo standard. Peso: 160 g, alimentazione: da 4,8 Vdc a 6 Vdc, ingranaggi: in metallo, velocit: 0,24 sec/60 @ 4,8 V, velocit: 0,20 sec/60 @ 6 V, coppia di torsione: 24 kg*cm @ 4,8 V, coppia di torsione: 28,8 kg*cm @ 6 V, dimensioni: 63 x 32 x 61,6 mm. Completo di accessori.

look at www.futurashop.it , id-code =7300-SERVOS666N2BB
Digit
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Arduino Pan/Tilt mechanism

Post by Digit »

I think in your case the most important thing is to find out 2 things.
- how large are the forces on the solar panels by wind and will these servo's be able to cope with those forces and maintain position;
- the sustained current that these servo's will need to be able to achieve a moment of 2.8 Nm and if these are within the limits of what can be delivered.

I know from my RC hobby that 2.8 Nm is (or was, compared to 10 years ago where moment was still listed in Ncm) a lot but i cannot give a good answer.. time for you to do some research :-)


<hr noshade size="1"><font size="1">Robert
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Digit
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Arduino Pan/Tilt mechanism

Post by Digit »

Another thing to look at is if these servo's are supported; setting the position is achieved by PWM (pulse width modulation) and i would look into that also before buying, if i were you.

<hr noshade size="1"><font size="1">Robert
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drmacchi
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Arduino Pan/Tilt mechanism

Post by drmacchi »

The question is : if we do a little calculation (money, i mean) the bill will be : arduino 20-30 +2 servo (70*2=140) , then hw for solar tracking path (20-30), metallic structure and time ...... more than 265 for a ready to use solution with lan and software too.
http://www.solar-motors.com/gb/solar-mo ... i126.shtml
I know that our satisfaction is DIY , but we should find some cheap stuff on the bay to be in the right way !
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