So, I´m planning on building a light robot, or rather a set of robots that moves along a track mounted to the ceiling. It will be mounted above our dining table, I have a quite clear picture of how they should work. But I dont really know where to start with the project. Any suggestions!? 
Details:
6 robots, each one have a led cluster that serve as light source, the cluster should work like a “moving head spotlight”, and the robot itself can move along the rail. They need to be quite small so Im thinking that it could be smart to use vibrators instead of motors to get them moving across the rail.
There are several questions that need to be solved, e.g. how to control the individual robot, Bluetoth? Through the rail etc. They should be powered via the rail and controled with a smartphone app. A control center need to be built as well. Hmmm, I guess that´s about it.
Some initial questions:
]Can you give us a better idea of what these robots actually do (what is the actual application)?/:m]
]Note that recharging a robot on the ceiling won’t be easy. Do you already have rail picked out? /:m]
]Will you have one rail per robot, or multiple robots on one rail?/:m]
]Will the rail curve? Do you already have it selected? Any idea how you will mount it?/:m]
]How do you want to control each robot?/:m]
]Do you have any robotics background? Electrical? Programming? Mechanical?/:m]
]Do you have a budget in mind?/:m]
]Any additional relevant details…/:m]
Hi Coleman,
Thank you for your answer and questions, here are my answers:
Can you give us a better idea of what these robots actually do (what is the actual application)?
They are going to act as the main light source over the dining table.
Note that recharging a robot on the ceiling won’t be easy. Do you already have rail picked out?
They should get their power from the rail that serves as the electrical suply source as well, a bit like these:
lampgallerian.se/lampor/taklampor/skensystem/230v/munin-3-kit/
conrad.se/?websale8=conrad-swe&pi=1273164&ws_tp1=cp&ref=PLA_HUS&subref=1273164&utm_source=PLA_HUS&utm_medium=PLAfeed&utm_campaign=PLA_HUS_feed&utm_content=1273164&gclid=Cj0KCQjwierMBRCHARIsAHl9i4F_spvX_w9Ho-bpuf5CPSEW6N7sQwJsJHv9akjYAwyiIBLzrgI6VmYaAth0EALw_wcB
Will you have one rail per robot, or multiple robots on one rail?
First I thought of a curved track in a U-shape, but now I´m thinking more like a single track in the ceiling above the middle of the table (lenghtwise). All six bots on that rail.
Will the rail curve? Do you already have it selected? Any idea how you will mount it?
A single rail, I have an idea, havent found it yet though.
How do you want to control each robot?
I dont know, Bluetooth or via the rail? A central control unit wll be mounted to the wall and this unit in turn is controled via a smartphone or computer.
Do you have any robotics background? Electrical? Programming? Mechanical?
Not really, programming yes, have an understanding for mechanics and electrical construction.
Do you have a budget in mind?
Nope, I dont really know what I should expect.
Any additional relevant details…
Maybe the size, they should be small, but with quite powerful led´s.
Obtaining power from the rail is something to investigate. RobotShop does not offer those rails, nor those lights. The second issue is that those rails don’t seem to be made to have the lights slide easily. You would need a solid understanding of how those types of lights work and effectively reverse engineer them to make the base motorized. Designing a new system might be easier than reverse engineering an existing one. For example if your goal is to move lights, then you might try a two axis straight arm - sort of like a scara type robot arm without travel in the Z axis. Just some initial thoughts.
Yes It was just an example, I don’t want to use that kind of lamps/spotlights nor do I want to use that mount. I will have to customize the entire setup, a [highlight=#ffffff][font=Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][size=4]moving head spotlight is capable of turning on its horisontal axis as well as tilting[/size][/font][/highlight]. This is a moving head, its way to big though, but that´s how the light should work. youtu.be/SUVsOSxadrA
Very interesting. It’s quite a new / custom setup. Given that the lights might need to work for extended periods of time, you likely don’t want DC motors constantly working, so opting for an approach which has the position locked in place (worm gear for example), or at least has the load (light) very well balanced might be best. Continue to brainstorm.
Would it work with electromagnets that lock the spot in place (might be a spring loaded locking pin)?
The light source may be something like this: kingbright.com/attachments/f … 34(Ver.15A.pdf
Yes, will continue to contemplate this…
The parts and approach required are quite a bit different than our area of expertise, so unfortunately we would not be the experts here. Curious to see what you come up with.
Will keep you posted!