I need a solution to automation/process control. Thought there might be a product offering at robotshop that might be suitable and that you robot guys might understand the technical issues as well as anyone.
I’m building a belt-driven gantry-plate on linear rails. So, I’m basically building a kind of linear actuator.
The mass of the gantry + what sits on it, may vary from say 3 to 6Kg. After pressing start button, the gantry will move outbound (left to right) from home position to and end stop. I want the gantry to move at 1m/s. There will be a dispensing operation. Then when that is finished, the gantry must go back to inbound to home position (right to left). But, there will probably need to be a soft start/stop on the inbound to avoid spillage. Gantry stops when back to home position.
Critical is that the gantry must stop within 0.5mm of the end stop on the right. Repeatedly irrespective of the mass.
Ok, the thing is, I’ve been getting conflicting information. Some think it’s okay to employ a dc motor with braking and perhaps PWM control on the last part of the journey -just to take the gantry at a slow pace to the right end stop where a limit switch cuts of power to the motor. The last advice I got was go with PID.
The issue seems to be that use of dynamic breaking has it’s limits and that perhaps in this case it’s not appropriate.
Another point is that I was trying to avoid using an MCU. I am trying to use simple switches and potentiometers (well, no code). I do not know whether that is realistic.
I reckon I might need a 1/4 HP motor.
Are there any suitable products here at robotshop.com?
Thanks for any technical input.
Thanks for reading. Rich
EDIT: Oh, I’ll need to control two gantrys. One on the horizontal, one in vertical.
