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Automation Prototyping

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yo1dog:
What do you guys use for prototyping your automated stuff? Lego?

I am working on my rotating control panel project and I have a few ideas I want to try out regarding the rotation of the control panel, latch, etc. Specifically:

Rotating the control panel.
Opening and closing the front panel using a rack and pinion.
Engaging and releasing the rotating control panel latch (similar to a sash lock).

DaOld Man:
Hi yodog, interesting project.
Could you not just have the front panel on a spring, pulling it towards the monitor, then rotate the control panel towards the monitor.
The CP front edge should come up off the front panel (FP), until it comes around to the stopping position.
The spring will pull the FP back in to lock the CP from turning back towards the player.
Sort of like a ratchet.
Other than that, a servo to turn the lock you came up with should work too.

DaOld Man:

--- Quote from: yo1dog on November 02, 2018, 05:26:04 pm ---What do you guys use for prototyping your automated stuff? Lego?


--- End quote ---

I use a experimenters board to prototype my electronics. Similar to this:
https://www.amazon.com/RadioShack-2760170-Experimenter-Printed-Circuit/dp/B000VEO24U/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1541263176&sr=8-12&keywords=experimenters+board

Once I am satisfied with the way it works, I use a proto-board to solder the components to.
As far as the mechanics, I just build it. If it works, great, if it dont work or Im not satisfied with the way it does, I tear it down and start over.
I work it out in my head first, then on paper. I guess the lego kits would be great for this, i just never tried them.

yo1dog:
Yea I got plenty of stuff for prototyping electronics. I am completely new to the mechanical/automation side.

Do you have a bunch of gears and stuff around to play with or do you figure out what kind of torque you need and then order the appropriate gears/gear boxes?

Mike A:
Spin it by hand and use a window latch to lock it in place. If you try to automate the process you may as well ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- can the whole thing. The complexity and cost will bury the project.

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