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AC Motor to computer what boards to use?

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by Cale, Jan 7, 2017.

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  1. Cale

    Cale Member

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    Hi guys im trying to figure out the most cost effective way to connect 3 ac motors from there vfd units to the pc to run simtools.
    I have seen thanos amc1280usb boards but they are quite pricey for the new 2017 model and im only using 3dof so 3 ports wont be used.
    I have also noticed another diy board people use the "EZ" boards but i dont want to have to make up the boards.
    Lastly i habe noticed people can use arduino with a digital to analogue board which is thiis one here...http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/PWM-0-10V-...ormer-Converter-Board-MACH3-PLC-/131862228220

    Does anyone have any info on how this last option works and if they are using it. Also any tutorials on how to set that up as it seems the cheapest option.

    Does anyone have any other routes i can go that i have not listed?
    Thanks guys.
    Cale, Jan 7, 2017
    #1
  2. speedy

    speedy Well-Known Member

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    • Informative Informative x 3
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2017
    speedy, Jan 7, 2017
    #2
  3. Mmcool

    Mmcool Member

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    Does this solution offer DAC outputs or its just pwm? Most vfds need 0-10v analog signal...
    Mmcool, Jan 7, 2017
    #3
  4. speedy

    speedy Well-Known Member

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    Yes it is a 3 motors DAC with a special VFD opto-coupler isolation too :) ...
    • Like Like x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
    speedy, Jan 7, 2017
    #4
  5. speedy

    speedy Well-Known Member

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    Just Search the FAQ section for VFD's and all related questions and you'll get what I mean .
    • Agree Agree x 1
    speedy, Jan 8, 2017
    #5
  6. Mmcool

    Mmcool Member

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    I'm sorry, I don't see any DAC on that, only some RC filters to smooth out the PWM.

    What is the frequency response of the RC filter? How long in ms is the hysteresis of the filter? Is it stable?
    Mmcool, Jan 8, 2017
    #6
  7. speedy

    speedy Well-Known Member

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    • Informative Informative x 1
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2017
    speedy, Jan 8, 2017
    #7
  8. speedy

    speedy Well-Known Member

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    1.jpg
    • Agree Agree x 1
    speedy, Jan 8, 2017
    #8
  9. Mmcool

    Mmcool Member

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    Mmcool, Jan 8, 2017
    #9
  10. Mmcool

    Mmcool Member

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    Another quick question, I wanted to use also Ian's BFF motion software except simtools, is this possible with smc3?
    Mmcool, Jan 8, 2017
    #10
  11. speedy

    speedy Well-Known Member

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    An honest opinion as I'm a beta tester for the new version coming soon that SimTools is really much better with wider range of supported games than any other S/W I've seen so far .

    I see you're an Old member :cheers ... so please just spend more time reading all advantages found here .

    SMC3 code = > SimTools Only ...
    • Informative Informative x 1
    speedy, Jan 8, 2017
    #11
  12. speedy

    speedy Well-Known Member

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    You made me curious what a real DAC look like :grin...

    RC filters are just [ Resistors and Capacitors ] ... no Operation Amplifiers are used

    you're welcome :cool:
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2017
    speedy, Jan 8, 2017
    #12
  13. Mmcool

    Mmcool Member

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    I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be offensive but I deal with electronics on my day job, and I can "read" pcb layouts blindfolded... :cool:

    DAC or Digital to Analog converter, is taking a digital value and converts it to analog voltage. These can be parallel or SPI or i2c devices that are pure digital. I was not referring as real DAC the RC filter and R-2R ladder hacks.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital-to-analog_converter

    And here is what a real (modern) DAC solution looks like:
    http://www.analog.com/en/products/digital-to-analog-converters/da-converters/ad5628.html
    Mmcool, Jan 8, 2017
    #13
  14. Cale

    Cale Member

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    @speedy thanks for the reply!
    So your saying i could buy an arduino uno with smc3 installed and your octo coupler board (which i need 1 for each vfd/motor?)
    How much would it cost for you to do all the hard work and make them for me? :)
    Cale
    Cale, Jan 8, 2017
    #14
  15. cthiggin

    cthiggin Active Member

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    Cale,
    Speedy does a beautiful job..........he made me two Opt-PCB boards last year for my 3 DOF, AC Platform............
    AND........they work marvelously well...............

    Tom
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
    cthiggin, Jan 8, 2017
    #15
  16. speedy

    speedy Well-Known Member

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    Thanks @Cale ...

    I still remember your first post question ... and trying to help and support the best way .

    2000.00 USD$ plus shipping :p
    • Funny Funny x 1
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2017
    speedy, Jan 8, 2017
    #16
  17. Mmcool

    Mmcool Member

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    Mmcool, Jan 8, 2017
    #17
  18. speedy

    speedy Well-Known Member

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    • Informative Informative x 1
    speedy, Jan 8, 2017
    #18
  19. Cale

    Cale Member

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    @speedy thanks for the support but at $2000 i may just go out and hire someone to build it for me hahaha.
    How many of these do i need for a 3dof i see that cthiggin had purchased to for his 3dof. Does each board control 2dofs?
    Can you come down in price for the boards? ;)
    • Agree Agree x 1
    Cale, Jan 8, 2017
    #19
  20. speedy

    speedy Well-Known Member

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    Yes @cthiggin ordered two of these older version as they was arranged to serve 2 DOF's per board only and they worked perfectly as expected ...

    But, with this new SMC3 customised version you'll only need one shield for the three motors :thumbs plus all the feedback wiring and connections will have a smart way to easy mount everything professionally ...
    Lucky you :cheers @Cale ...
    OK only 100USD would do the efforts + Free screw driver :grin:grin:grin .

    PM me pls. as I need to know your exact location for shipment calculation .
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2017
    speedy, Jan 8, 2017
    #20
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