I need to build a robot with up to 32 linear actuators maybe more but we will start with 32 max for now. They will be mounted in a series of circles. They need to move to deflect a sheet of material. The material needs to maintain a specific shape. The sheet is a thin mirror for a telescope. It will pick up a single spot of light which it will reflect onto a camera. The camera will be out of focus so that the single point of light will produce very distinct circles when the mirror is in the right shape. I need to be able to move the actuators so that the circles are correct in the camera. What type of controller should I use for this? How do I get the data from the camera to the controller to move the motors?
Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. I am new to robotics. All I have ever built even close is 2 cnc lathes and a cnc router. Totally different from this.
What I am trying to achieve is what is called active optics.
Donny