Request for sample VB.Net Code for Lynxmotion robotic arm

Lynxmotion Robot Arms
1

Dear forum members

I have just purchased a Lynxmotion AL5D 4DOF Robotic Arm SSC-32U Combo Kit (No Software) and I am aiming to develop some code to control it by making use of Microsoft’s Visual Basic .Net programming and wondered if anyone could point me at some sample VB.Net code to give me some ideas as to how one sends the ASCII character commands to a COM port as this is how I understand you communicate with the arm.

Any guidance would be welcomed and thanks in advance.

BTW my little project will be aiming to develop the means to control the robotic arm with the new Emotiv Insight neuroheadset (Brain Computer Interface) emotiv.com/insight.php If I get this working I will happily post my work on the forum.

Doug

2

Hi Doug,

We added an example on the Lynxmotion GitHub in VB.NET. This short example shows how to obtain the COM port list, open a serial port and send data in ASCII format (format used by the SSC-32/SSC-32U) to the port.

You can read more about the format and commands for the SSC-32U in the manual (pages 24-26).

Sincerely,

3

Thanks Sébastien

I truly appreciate the prompt response. I looked at the SCC-32U manual a few days ago and decided to ask the question as seeing code is often a rapid ‘get started’ approach. I am looking forward to receiving the Lynxmotion arm from you guys, hopefully later next week.

I purchased a Lego Mindstorm EV3 unit here a few weeks ago and built a small model electric wheelchair with a Wi-Fi connection and have programmed it via VB.Net using the third party API from legoev3.codeplex.com/ and using a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick on my PC to control it; all works well. Even included a linear actuator arm on the chair which is extended/retracted by buttons on the joystick.

I will let you know how I progress withe the arm. My aim is control it (basically) with the new Emotiv Insight neuroheadset emotiv.com/insight.php

Take care and have a great weekend

Doug

4

Hi Doug,

Those sound like great projects! We recommend that you post about them here (even if not completed / still in design). We are certain this would be of interest to the RobotShop community and you may even receive help from other people with similar ideas or projects.

Good luck!

Sincerely,

5

Dear Sébastien

I shall do that in the weeks ahead. I will upload a few photos of my little electric wheelchair project and describe it functionality. I will clean up my terrible VB.Net code, which has been rapidly cobbled together for this test-bed. The next challenge will be studying the Emotiv Insight neuroheadset SDK and start the process. I am also looking for a small video camera to add to the chair and stream video back to my PC.

Take care and have a great weekend.
Doug