Motion Platform+SIOC

Hi,

I am Akhil and i am working on a small motion platform powered by a stepper motor. I have been following some of your forum replies to some people having problems with USB stepper Motor Card from OpenCockpits. Luckily I got the Nema high torque stepper motor running with the USB stepper motor card (using SIOC monitor) without any overheating. I tried testing it with the motion platform i created and the torque it provides is quite sufficient for my needs. But there is a small problem. I did not connect an optical sensor but instead used a potentiometer because i need position feedback for the motion platform. When i started sioc and tested it through sioc monitor, it just keeps turning and turning and never stop even after i close SIOC..!!..I know some people had the same problem before but he had a script to test otherwise. I am new to SIOC scripts and I didnt get a script ready to test coz i do not know where i can find information on 'how to monitor the rotation of the motor with changing values in the potentiometer through a script'. Could you help me up with a mock up script which uses potentiometer values (0-255) to give position feedback to the motor.

And why do you think the motor is just turning and turning. Is it because of the absence of an optical sensor?? But because i am using a motion platform and not a chronograph as many people mentioned in their replies, i opted for the potentiometer. Please help.

Below is the diagram of the platform that I will be using for giving feedback to the rudder pedals of a flight sim. The linear rail that is connecting the ballscrew is connected to 2 springs which are in turn connected to the diamond shaped plastic (which rotates 35 degrees left and right about the pivot point). The script should take IAS values from FSX and ask the motor to turn a specified number of turns so that it tightens and loosens the springs at different IAS.

Please help me out.

Attachment 7825

Did you already found X sim ?Not working with sioc but there one devices and software
Greetz

Akhil:

I see the diagram, and now i understand your point of view.
You have a big problem with the hardware. Why?
Ever, when the USBStepper is inicialized, the stepper must turn 360 degress 2 times (clock or anticlcokwise), 1 for count steps, and 1 to find initial position. (Independent of Sioc code)
What happend when the ballscrew its at the end of one extreme?
The stepper can be blocked and cannot find the initial position.
That´s the big problem.
The SIOC code seems to be easy, but the problem its mechanics.
A better solution, is work with modificated servos, and USBServo card, or a USBDCmotors card.
Please, give me more technical information of the stepper, (max torque), and i can give you another solution using servos. High torque servos are available for RC models, and i´m planning some like this, with yoke and trim in mind.

Regards.
Horacio.