RV1s Modernisation

[robjampar]

Wasn't sure if this belonged in the hardware or software section!

I got an RV1s last week and its great (it's the one mike listed here on the forum http://electricstuff.co.uk/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=17555f7131d763f5821722a372df4a29&topic=319.0).

I'm planning on getting it working with OpenPNP.

I have read most of the posts on this entire forum, so I've seen about all of the existing attempts going on with the ISA card, or trying to get hold of the original code!

I'm going down a different route, by replacing the entire motion control system, I've posted a little introduction post here!
http://parob.com/versatronics-rv1s-pick-and-place-modernization/

if anyone can help in any way or wants to do this as well I'm interested to hear what anyone thinks, ill be keeping this thread updated with any progress!

-Rob

[Mike]

A few quick comments on info on your page :
I think there may be some additional commands to the ones in your list, to select cameras  (and maybe turn the fixed cam ring-light on - not sure if this is seperate to the camera video selection).

I'm not 100% sure but I think the relays on the arm board do the video switching, to give a single video feed into the capture card.

The software will run on Win98SE to get USB support

[SteveW]

Good stuff! Something I've pondered in the past, before just leaving well alone and making boards...
As Mike says, Win98 is probably worthwhile, for better networking and USB, and just generally being a bit less crappy. 

Apart from longer permissible part names, the only improvement I really hanker for is better vision. Maybe teaching from a known-good part, rather than dicking about with shapes in CDFs. The software, while it feels like a weird swamp when you first fire it up, is quite a good match for the hardware - good enough, needs care not to fall into traps.

That said, if there was an OpenPnP flow for the machine, I suspect I'd be on it like a shot.

[robjampar]

I've just posted an update on my blog about this little project.

http://parob.com/versatronics-rv1s-update-1/

nearly completed, it was pretty simple in the end for most things, just need to finish writing the software.

A few quick comments on info on your page :
I think there may be some additional commands to the ones in your list, to select cameras  (and maybe turn the fixed cam ring-light on - not sure if this is seperate to the camera video selection).

I'm not 100% sure but I think the relays on the arm board do the video switching, to give a single video feed into the capture card.

The software will run on Win98SE to get USB support

Hey Mike,
I think perhaps the additional commands are for your RV4s, as the RV1s seems to input two composite camera feeds directly into the ISA card.

Rob

edit:
also, I took your previous advice and added a joystick for easy setup!

[Mike]

You'll probably want some airflow across the stepper drivers, but segregated from the belt to avoid dust buildup.

[Mike]

Also bear in mind that the base will see a lot of strong vibration, so maybe not  ideal to have electronics in there.