AMC1280USB Motion Simulator Controller

anyway, back on Ard now, simple and functional.

Well After many hours of screwing around i found the problem thanks to finding this thread. Here's my story sit down....I had the green version worked fantastic for 2 years with Ians BFF and also simtools. I am on a 3dof with the AMC 1280 and linear actuators with MDO3 @24v . well i had a voltage leak which caused a bad loop and burned out the green card and a Mdo3. well I bought the new red version and I had to get the newerMDO4 , dont make the mdo3 ... different setup. Now this all happened last spring so i am back at it hard i have spent 20+hours my wife say every weekend for the last 2 months but what does she know.... yes shes right, I could get some movement out of the actuators but all over the map thats with BFF or Simtools I tried different settings and Thanos provided a drawing for me set up the new MDO4 correctly i spent hrs trying to set up the PID but no difference.
I fixed the Voltage leak on the Actuator so I have no issue there I tried a older PC that worked but same iractic behavior. Now I was using the 3.0 Firmware n the AMC, Well I used Fabis PID configuration tool started it and it hung up on the heave config. so I closed it then i could not connect with Simtools or the BFF nothing it was like the USB was not plugged in. So uninstalled reinstalled FTDI drivers still nothing ....found this threader where many also have same weird motion cues . Downgraded the Firmware to 2.4 and well simtools is back online and smooth. I still cant connect with the BFF software as of yet-but now all actuators work like they should. So The culprit that i spent so much time and alcohol on was the firmware. geeesss!! So the PID in the new firmware?
I was ready to throw the the whole thing away and go with the JRK with feedback and Ardino. ...Still might-any body use the Pololu JRK G2? with a pololu meastro USB Servo controller?
Thanks for everybodys feedback

I don't know what kind of settings your hardware needs.

For AC with inverters and Teknic DC servos you have to make sure:

1.) you are on the 3.0 rev.2a
2.) as ID, select FF-FF
3.) select ser. feedback off

Concerning Fabi's configurator you are right.
I've also experienced compatibility issues with the PID and the 12 bit output but I was able to tune the PID manually through the controller without issues. It seems you have to use the values multiplied by 4. Ex. What was back than 20 became 80. I guess it is a simple scaling issue. For sure not so difficult to correct.

Hope it helps

Or try the new v3.5...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jv4ozgohlbdc8ta/AMC1280USB firmware v3.5 rev1a.7z?dl=0

Early feedback i got said improved the quality of motion and connectivity reliability dramatically!

PS. I stripped support for Fabi tool in last firmware for sake of stability.
Its not so hard to set correct PID values manually.

Well I tried the new 3.5 and no success, Simtools no response and same with the BFF. Went back to 2.4 and both now work perfect set up the PID values P@15- I@15- D@2 quick and smooth. Now I can move forward over the holidays and get the 6DOF going, my frame is built already and I have all the other components . I am a happy camper again.

The v3.5 won't work with release version of simtools or Ian's BFF or Hexpod driver. In the zip file of the firmware, I have included the updated version of software that is needed to work with v3.5 firmware. Without updating the software the v3.5 will ignore motion data from older software!

The new firmware is highly recommended as its huge improvement on the stability for the communications part. It will be impossible now for the user to make the connection unstable because of wrong settings!!

Thanks
Thanos

Ok,

New Firmware release v3.5

Read details here:
http://motionsim.blogspot.com/2018/12/amc1280usb-firmware-v35-release.html

Thanks
Thanos

what are the changes, the improvements of this version?
does it change the quality of rendering in games? best moves or something else positive for the end result?
thanks
Richard

There are few changes:
1. Rewrite of the Serial communications worker, now it can accept any combination of values for the actuators and it will not pass any non motion commands into the position engine anymore. This means NO kicks or unwanted vibrations, and data stream always in sync.
2. Fixed the Recognition command so it will report the device ID even between motion packets or when the Kill switch is activated.
3. Blocked menu items that may cause communication issues.
4. Selecting less DOF than 6DOF in the lcd, now affects only the actual motors code, not the serial worker. The transmission packets are always 20bytes now.


@hexpod tried it and he said the motion now is perfect, smooth and accurate.

Ok thanks,
is it necessary to redo the setting of the PId?
I made the update I will test it more carefully

It won't affect the PID calibration you already have, but if you like you can calibrate it again.

@Thanos any update on the limit/kill switches ?

I have the same issue like @iamcanadian2 said. Does not work with any of softwares ...simtool or bff either on firmware3.0 or 3.5... but 2.4 works fine.
I did all that @Thanos have said in instructions. Put plugins to simtools and bff folder... etc

Can you post a photo of your amc1280usb boards?
Also tell me what settings you have in LCD menu... saying it doesn't work, does not help at all to find the conditions of your setup and reproduce it and fix it if needed.

-number of motors DOF ?
-Serial ID format? (make sure its set to FF FF and serial feedback off!!!)
-input sensor type?
-output mode type?


Regarding the Serial ID format option, if wrong setting is chosen it may not connect to the motion software. See correct setting on video

You sent AMC1280USB board about a week ago, I got it with firmware 3.0.

- Im building a 6dof stewart platform with 6 24V DC motors and sabertooth 2x32 controllers
- After updating firmware 3.5 I couldn't change Serial ID format, ...push the button but nothing happens. However it shows FF FF and ser feedback off would not work. I chosed "motion data only" for sabertooth, on firmware 3.0 rev2, it didn't work too.
- input sensors are analog 10bit HAL effect feedback potmeters (type 6127V1A180L.5)
- output type PWM 12-bit, SNS Uni-Dir

After I roled back to 2.4 everything worked.

hard to believe what you say:

once in the AMC menu turn the selector to choose your option and press the selector to select it.

With FW 3.5, make sure you've updated the simtools heXpod interface.

OK, if you don't believe me, please believe this video:

Thanks for the vid.
Ok, did you updated the interface?