Question need help for my setup

Hello

Newbie here. I have few questions to ask. I have started my project with 2x 12v toys motor with 1 motomonster and Arduino UNO. I am using SMC3 for my Arduino code and I have followed exactly the setup for SMC3 like in this thread
https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...3dof-motor-driver-and-windows-utilities.4957/. From the steps mentioned, after I set the KP to 400 and slowly increase PWMmax to 50, both of the motors start to move so I believe my setup is correct.

I later install LFS and Simtools 2.5 and I use VirtualSim which I download from here https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/simple-application-to-analyze-the-axis-setting.10430/ and seems that all working fine. I can see the rig movement in VirtualSim tool.

But I still cant make my motors running after I change to Serial COMport in Simtools. I have attached the screenshot of simtools setting and my current setup.

I have few question.

1) In order to make the motors running, do I need to change anything in SMC3 tool? Currently I set all to 0 except for KP to 400 and clip input 255 and max limit 255. If I change the PWMmax to 50, the motor will start to move but if I leave with that setting when running LFS, the motor will always moves before I start the LFS.

2) Do i need to connect the POT to the motor in order to make the motor moves? For now all I want is to just see the motor moves when start the LFS to make sure there is communication between my motor setup with SMC3 and Simtools.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thank You

Tq noorbeast for the reply... just to confirm, even if I did not connected the pot to the motor, how do I check if there is a communication between motor and Simtools? because seems like the motor did not move at all if I move the slider in output testing in Simtools. I assume the motor should show some response if I move the slider right? or maybe I am wrong and the pots really needs to be connected before it can show any response?

because for now it does not matter for me if the motor move in wrong direction as long as it shows some response then that is enough for me because I just want to learn how simtools and SMC3 and motor communicate between each other.

thanks Noorbeast... I will try to connect it and test again.. will share the result..

so I have connected the pot to the motor.. and I can see when testing the motor in smc3, when I increase the pwmmax, the green line move toward the blue line and then the motor stop.

I then close the smc3 tool, and open simtools. In output testing, when I move the slider, nothing happen with the motor. Is that a correct way to do output testing? or is there anything missing? i have attached the video if that may help..

Thanks Noorbeast.. finally its working... the motor start moving with simtools output testing and also moving with LFS too..I did exactly what you advised.. I think I can start looking for real motors now and need to do some research as I still confuse which motor should I buy as my goal is to build 3dof rig with heave although for now i will start with only 2dof..

Agree with @noorbeast, but if you want to build a 3DOF with heave in the future and have the budget now, I would seriously investigate initially purchasing two 750W AC servo motors - which could be easily added to for any future setup. Most DC motor setups that are used for a balanced 2DOF rig are not powerful enough to be re-used in a fully driven 3DOF with heave rig. A touch more money up front, but way more performance and savings in building more advanced rigs in the future. Anyway something to think about.

Thanks @SeatTime ...Yes I have seen people using AC servo motor when building their 3dof and that is also one of my option but considering that I dont have any background in electronic and mechanical things, I am afraid it will be a huge challenge for me as it seems not many people are using servo motor thus lack of information that I can refer to? Is there any difference using AC motor and DC motor in term of Arduino code? Can I also using SMC3 for the arduino code if I opt for AC servo motor?

Having built with DC and AC, I would say that using a big DC setup can be more complex, with a choice of many drivers, feedback systems, separate big power supplies, batteries, high current cables and motors and gearboxes - all these things that you have to make a design decision on. With the AC servos - they come with their own matched driver and encoder feedback system. You do have to make a decision on rotary or linear gearbox. I just needed to do some wiring and connect the supplied AC servo driver to my house power and I know they will power my rig with torque, speed and accuracy to spare.
No SMC3 does not support AC servo motors, but there is quite a bit of support and information out there growing every day if you search. Arduino; Eg. https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...o-mega-for-aasd-15a-and-similar-driver.14421/
Commercial controller for AC servos (plug and play - recommended if you have the budget) ; https://www.tindie.com/products/tronicgr/amc-aasd15a-servo-motion-controller/
New kid on the block : https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/new-6dof-aasd15-servo-motion-controller.15356/
More and more people are using AC servo motors including myself - They are powerful, fast, low current and accurate with build in encoders: just look in the project area.
Again if you have the budget - highly recommended - do it once, do it right.

Thanks @SeatTime .. so i have spent some time since last couple of days to do some research on the motor.. I am really wanna go with AC servo motor but looks like the cost is way beyond my overall budget for the motors since I also have to consider the cost for the planetary gearbox and controller which will cost me good amount of money as well.

I really like 3dof design by MilaniFabio in this thread https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...namic-workstation-project-upgrade-4dof.13102/ and I am looking for similar motor like his and I have found this motor from Alibaba https://m.alibaba.com/product/60770...cacheTime":"1800000","type":"appDetailShare"}

my question if I decide to use this motor, is 500watt is too much power for 2dof or 3dof+heave? which gearbox ratio should i choose? and other than sabertooth 2x32 controller, any other motor controller that can handle this motor power and more cheaper? Is there any other else I need to consider before buying this motor?

really appreciate for any advice.