OK, at the risk of making myself look stupid, I have a total noob question.
I am going to be using some servo controlled parts on a pc build. I need a servo controller that can take commands through script, from the computer, as well as input from a type of switch to activate servos. Will the SSC-32 be able to do this, or will I need something like the botboard? Be gentle, I’m just learning. 
The SSC-32 can do this. It can receive commands from a PC software program and has analog inputs to respond to signal inputs from a type of switch.
I have never tried to use the analog input feature of the ssc-32, so I can’t provide any detail as to how you could go about using this option, but the ssc-32 can easily accept commands from either a PC or a microcontroller. If you want to develop your own software program to send commands to the SSC-32 then I don’t have the programming knowledge to be of any help.
The Bot Board 2 (BB2) is a self contained micro computer that can be programmed to send servo commands to the ssc-32 much like a desktop computer. The BB2 and Basic Atom Pro (BAP) can react to button presses and can even be programmed to receive commands from a PC as well.
Sounds like the ssc-32 would be easier to use anyway. Thanks for your help! I’m sure you will see me again lol
We don’t beat the noobs here! This is probably one of the nicest robotics forums out there. We just will not tolerate mean people.
perhaps explain this requirement a little bit.
generally the ssc-32 receives commands from a controller of some sort, either a microcontroller or your pc. if you are asking if the ssc-32 can act independantly on a switch closure, that is without some other controller sending a command to the ssc-32, then the answer is no. if you are asking if you can poll the switch via an input of the ssc-32 with the pc and then have the pc issue a command then probably yes… but the program would have to be running in the background for it to work.
something like the basic atom pro on a bot board can directly control a few servos and poll inputs like switches and sensors at the same time because it IS a microcontroller of sorts. the trade off is it can’t control nearly as many servos at the same time or with the amount of features as a dedicated servo controller such as the ssc-32.
Ah, you know what, I misread the response, I apologize. So basically I would need to use both? I need several channels, which is why I gravitate towards the ssc-32. But I would need to hook the switches into the bot-board (or something like it) then plug that into the ssc-32.
I’m sorry if I’m being dense. I am doing my own research, too, not just coming in here wanting answers. I’m doin my homework, I promise lol
no worries mark… some folks come and expect others to not only give them a least cost bill of materials and how-to wiring diagrams but expect code to be done for them too. 
hobby means different things to different folks I guess… Personally I don’t get all grease monkey on my bike but then again I pay the guys who do pretty well too. 
ok so on topic I guess the question is several is how many servos you are looking for and how many switches or sensors do you need to use? and are you looking for timed movements… that is taking several seconds to move a servo from one position to another… or is just going from a to b at whatever the servo naturally moves at good enough? the atom can easily handle half a dozen or so servos if you don’t need to spend a lot of time doing other things like trig calculations. 
for the record the basic atom pro isn’t too tough to program once you get over a small “ah that’s how it works” hurdle. it’s helpful to be able to think about movements in terms of a sequence or events or states but beyond that… not too bad really.
HI Mark and welcome,
I have been following along and have not added anything until now as Eddie has answered it in much the same way as I would have.
It is hard to give you a specific answer without knowing more aobut your requirements and how much code you want to write and the like, but I will try to describe a few possibilities. Also I am not sure what you mean by saying “through scripts”. Does this imply you need to run something on a PC or are you simply saying you need the servos to go through some series of steps?
- If your requirements are reasonably modest and you are good at programming, then you could do it all with just with a Bot Board 2 with an Atom Pro. You can use the HSERVO commands in basic. You can read in inputs from switches or other devices (PS2 controller, TV remote, touch sensors, distance sensors, …). There are several examples of this up on this website/forum. This includes the BIPED, which is refered to as “Brat”, or Rover with Arm. Under the biped section, the thread about Brat taking names, the Atom Pro is controlling something like 9 servos, including some basic walking and the like.
Pros: Can be done with one board (so cost). The code is more flexible in that you can change the scripts(sequences) more depending on sensor input. You have a total of 20 input/output pins on the board that you can use for either servos or input/output devices so you have lots of flexability.
Cons: You have to do a lot of the work your self by writing code. The Brat code has a good subroutine (movement), which you can use, but it is still a reasonable amount of work.
- SSC-32 connected up to a PC: This give you up to 32 servos that can be controlled, plus you have 4 inputs. These inputs can be either analog values (0-255) for voltages up to 5v or simple digital inputs. You can generate scripts (sequences) for your servos using the program SEQ, which makes it easy or at least easier. You can program these sequences into the EEPROM on the ssc-32 and then you can have some program on the PC query the inputs and run your scripts. Alternatively you could also write more complex code on the PC to control all of the servos without canned sequences as well. There are examples of this as well on the forum. For example some members have taken code written by the member Xan to control a phoenix (hex robot with 18+ servos) written for the Basic Atom Pro on a Bot Board 2 connected to an SSC-32 and ported it to code that was hosted on a PC with a serial connection to an SSC-32. Also there is a program RIOS, that you can purchase that will control an ARM, servos on an ssc-32 connected to a PC.
Pros: Lots of flexability, You can do lots of things on a PC. You can use SEQ to generate sequences.
Cons: You are tied to a PC. The SSC-32 is limited to 4 inputs, which your program on the PC must query.
- Bot board 2 with Basic Atom Pro connected to an SSC-32. Lots of flexability to read in lots of inputs and control lots of servos. many examples up on the forum/website. Things like hexapods. There is both custom code written by Xan (mentioned above). Also there is a program Powerpod, that you can download from the main site that will generate your basic program for a Hex robot. Can use Sequences (scripts) generated by SEQ like above or can have complete custom code.
Pros: like 2) Plus you can have many more inputs and output devices.
Cons: Cost of both. Still have to write code. If your requirements includes being controlled by a PC, you still have to set up that.
That is all for now. I hope that helps.
Kurt
whew! ok, Here’s what I am doing. I have a set of three doors on the front of my computer, plus two on the side. The doors on the front will all be able to open/close independently of each other. Door 1 will open/close automatically when the computer turns on or off. Doors 2 and 3, (as well as the side doors) will be opened or closed by touching a pressure switch.
OK, so these doors are a wee bit complicated. They are split down the middle, and open by swinging out towards the sides, then sliding back. Picture armoire doors.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss312/Mark_Hardware/armoiredoor.jpg
So each of the front doors has two servos, one on each half to slide it back, as well as one on each side to actually swing the door open. The side doors will require one servo each.
Confused yet? I think I made my own head spin. It looks so much better when I picture it in my head
Oh a PC case mod… Why didn’t you say so…
Check out this thread.
lynxmotion.net/viewtopic.php?t=2710
It should be very enlightening. 
i65.photobucket.com/albums/h205/rendermandan/Motorized%20Madness%20Case/th_100_3073.jpg
I mentioned it was for a case build in the first question lol…
Yeah I read that whole worklog, tis a good one!
Here’s a link to my worklog for anybody that’s interested. I’m having issues with imageshack so there might be a couple of red boxes of shame.
thebestcasescenario.com/foru … hp?t=19333
Somehow I didn’t get PC case mod from “PC build”, but it’s all good. Good luck with your project. Wish I had time to do such things.
Oh I’m sorry man
At the bottom of the below page is a setup using a DPDT relay, diodes, and limit switches that might be of interest. In this setup when the relay is energized, the motor runs in one direction until a limit switch opens. When the relay is deenergized, the motor runs in the other direction until the other limit switch is opened. I haven’t built one, but might work for on/off control signals.
Woah, that’s a bit beyond me there!
I would like to thank everyone for their help thus far, I certainly appreciate the freindly and helpful welcome. I am looking around for stuff to read to help me along as well.
I will be assimilating parts in the near future, I’m very excited to get this underway! I will keep you posted on my progress!