Tutorial SMC3 Arduino 3DOF Motor Driver and Windows Utilities

Hi @speedy
thank you for this solution that makes 3 AC actuator available simply
but IMO you should better to drag Ard a little more to the right which the ARD usb port can have access
from outside the electronic box.
anyway this is exelent job
thank you friend
best regards

@hooshang ... thank you my friend .

BTW ... The Ard USB is intended to be connected to the internal onboard front USB of the computer if empty >>> like this costume red tape socket in my current DIY 2DOF controller ... Or using a normal USB cable connected to the PC back USBs .



otherwise if you'll be using it in a separate box [2 of them for 6DOF ] ... So, there will be a plenty of space for the normal USB cable to be plugged in through a USB hole plus leaving a decent distance from the edge for bearing the cable load on the socket itself ... also like the above picture ... you'll have an Ard. reset button access hole + a TC at the Ard. side for the 12v computer power supply .
they are all will have the same ground .

Thanks Tom ... That's what I was looking for ...and just by using 2-3 meter RJ11 phone extension cords to the VFD's terminals ... and a 2-3m. stereo extension 3.5mm plug shielded cables for F.B. pots .

to be cut and soldered / fastened at the other end .

updates are coming ASAP .

Hi @speedy, have you thought about just isolating through the Arduino RS232? I have done this before... Use a cheap TTL USB to Serial converter from ebay ($1 to $2) and isolate the TTL transmit from the converter using a 6n137 and connect to the Arduino RS232 receive pin. You don't even have to worry about the receive signal for normal operation.

This bypasses the Arduino onboard USB to rs232 converter. Of course if you wanted to hack into the board you could just use the on board one.

Hi @RufusDufus ... simpler is always a charming thing ... I'm just isolating the Ard. outputs to prevent damage to it not the input USB signal ...
And if you use the RS232 Rx,Tx ... So, Why Buying Arduino in the first place ?
It is wiser to build it from scratch .

Arduino_S3v3_R2_EAGLE_again.zip
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardSerialSingleSided3

or maybe just using the ATMEGA IC and design you own controller ... tell me if you need something like that

Finished ...
I've used the commonly used terminal connectors to be angled and welded directly on board with wide pads ... So you don't have to use extra searching for sockets of plugs or purchasing more hardware ...
I guess this is more easy since this is easier to wire every thing correctly ...


Here is the final arranged layer picture and the 1:1 printable PDF file ...

PCI Opto-Copler copper side.pdf




Edit :board external dimensions will be like this to be easy installed in your computer ...

Rufus Dufus You're a genius thanks to you I'm doing work my 2dof, if you want my grateful llegarte post. And thanks again for sharing your knowledge, thus all new or little knowledge becomes easier. This is my post
http://www.xsimulator.net/community...o-r3-y-moto-monster-h-bridge.7883/#post-95549

I tried to upload several of these versions, but none of them seem to contain an arduino sketch. They have the motor monitoring-controlling application, and the other file is just a brief 5 line text. I'm sure I'm not doing something right here. please help me

http://www.xsimulator.net/community...3dof-motor-driver-and-windows-utilities.4957/
In particular, SMC3 v0.7.zip is what you want, and set "mode 2" in the source file.

edit: ie: change
#define MODE1
to
#define MODE2

Has anyone had issues getting the Configuration software to interface with the arduino? I keep getting a "cannot read arduino" upon startup.

do you mean when you are starting SMC3? Did you set the correct com port in the smc3ini file?

You're a genius and a scholar good sir

No, I am reading the manuals joke aside, I'm just kidding (but you are welcome to study the manuals nevertheless... )

I'm noticing that as soon as I turn the computer on the motor seems to start running. Is the arduino code stored onboard? How do I unload it? Where's this manual at?

hmm, in this case you have to go step by step though the SMC3 thread. The Arduino code is stored on the Arduino itself - you have to upload the SMC3 sketch first to the Arduino. Please go to the OP (first page on this thread) you will find all needed information there. BTW you need the Arduino software first to be able to upload any sketch to the Arduino, but this are basics usually IMO this should not to be mentioned...

Everything is wired up correctly, but for whatever reason it's reading my motor as motor 2, which I find odd because I only have one motor wired up. It seems to jog the motor in a back and forth motion of increments of five degrees when I increase the pwm max setting. Changing the feedback limitation controls on the right has little effect on this. When I try to operate the motor in simtools, the arduino does light up as if communicating, but it's not receiving commands when I try output testing. suggestions? comments? derogatory statements?

First, I would ensure that you don't have the Arduino IDE open when you launch simtools, particularly not the serial monitor, as the connection can't be shared, so it simtools won't be able to open the com port. If you ever accidentally do, close both, then open simtools.

http://www.xsimulator.net/community...3dof-motor-driver-and-windows-utilities.4957/

Ensure you are wired as described in the "MODE2" graphic and that in the INO sketch file, you have "MODE2" defined instead of "MODE1".
It is (nearly) guaranteed this is why you are seeing the wrong motor.

If you still have problems, because Pin 13 is unused (and attaches to the light), I would add additional code that enables it as an output in "setup()", turns it off, and on receipt of the first good command, turns it on. This will narrow your issues down to "1) wiring" or "2) communications".

After getting some sleep and looking over the diagram they have listed on page 1 of this thread, I noticed my pin locations were indeed setup for motor 2, not motor one. This obviously solved my "why is the SMC3 configuration software only running motor 2" issue.

Unfortunately I still cant seem to get simtools to drive the motor when I go to test the axis's. I noticed the baud rate was set for 9600 on the arduino serial monitor tab, so I changed that to 115200 to coincide with the second figure in the sketch. The first being 500000, which I have changed in the Interface tab in Simtools. When I turn the axis "on" the arduino does seem to light up as if data is being sent to it. As far as turning the Arduino IDE off before launching sim tools, I gave that shot. Though after reading over Simtools starter instructions it does note to load up the sketch before opening up the Game Engine. Do you reckon I have something configured incorrectly with the SMC3 configurator?

can you move the motors (correctly) by using SMC3?

Define "correctly", It shifts back and forth in increments of 15 degrees. The speed is adjustable, but the angle doesnt appear to be.