looking for some help with programmable circuits???

[zerog270]

Ok I've been searching, scratching my head, and frying my brain but I'm kind of stuck. I'm looking for help on how to create a circuit that does 2 functions. I'll try to explain in the greatest detail possible and this isn't one of the typical props either.

I will have 6v DC in. I'll need to be able to flip a switch or preferably push a button and two functions will occur: 1) a DC signal will be pulsed to an electromagnet to move something. Followed by a constant 6v DC output to light something. Flip the switch or push the button and the same happens in reverse. The constant 6v DC stops and the DC signal is pulsed again in reverse to the electromagnet to move something back. I don't think its much but I'm just at a loss on how to get it to work. If someone had any ideas or a direction they can point me down please I'll take whatever advice I can get or explain in greater detail. Thanks.

-Mike

 

[stromo]

1) a DC signal will be pulsed to an electromagnet to move something.

Hi Mike. By "pulsed", do you just mean one time, or are you wanting a sort of repeating, intermittent effect? If it's the former, then I think what you want will be incredibly simple.

 

[zerog270]

Hi Mike. By "pulsed", do you just mean one time, or are you wanting a sort of repeating, intermittent effect? If it's the former, then I think what you want will be incredibly simple.

Just a single pulse. I'm trying to get something to move about 6 inches one way and then 6 inches the other way. The more I think about it I don't know if the electromagnet will do. I'm trying to avoid using a motor to move this and that's why I was thinking the magnet might work. Its small, light, and only needs to be moved about 3 inches. If its easy that would be great!

-Mike

 

[exoray]

I'm trying to get something to move about 6 inches one way and then 6 inches the other way.

Its small, light, and only needs to be moved about 3 inches. If its easy that would be great!

3 or 6 inches of movement?

In either case that is a pretty significant move distance, you would likely find a stepper motor with a screw, belt or chain to be your best option if you want control... A servo could be employed but you would need a huge arm or additional fulcrum points to get the range of motion... Linear actuators would also work but they get stupid expensive...

And last but not least the most basic that wouldn't need precise timing of pulses for the motion, would be to use of a turn screw and motor with limit switches... Or even a belt or chain with limit switches...

 

[zerog270]

Well I guess I could give it away. Its the sonar eyes from TDK. My problem is space so I've created a frame work almost like a pair of glasses that fit in the cowl and a lense that will slide following the curve of the lense and the curve of the cowl. I've had two ideas how to get the travel of the lense; either a small fishing line over the track or a magnet. There isn't a lot of room but there is space. So that's where I'm stuck as of right now.

 

[JonnyAmateur]

I'd suggest an Arduino. They're basically a homebrew PLC, intended for hobbyists. Its a great platform to start with, and everything is open source, think the boards run around $30?

 

[Construct]

And last but not least the most basic that wouldn't need precise timing of pulses for the motion, would be to use of a turn screw and motor with limit switches...

This would be the cheapest and simplest solution. A DPDT switch wired to reverse current to the motor, with normally-closed microswitches at each limit of travel, the LEDs in parallel, and a pulley arrangement for moving the lenses.

zerog270, could you post pictures of exactly how much room you have to play with?

 

[zerog270]

I'll try to post some pics tomorrow night if I can. The space I'm talking isn't much, its pretty much just a small area in front of the face and the temples. Not much to get a motor in there so I'd to get as much of the electronics as possible in the suit.

 

[hollywoodhardware]

Contact member Honus. He made an incredibly complicated circuit board with servo controllers, sound and SD card reader for me. A really great guy!!!