Mechaduino is an affordable open-source servo motor for DIY and professional mechatronics under development .Mechaduino is Arduino-compatible for ease of use.
Goals: (in no particular order)
Position,Velocity,Torque loops
step,dir inputs for drop-in compatibility with stepper motors / step stick
customizable/open source with access to internal variables
Customizable and transparent control algorithms (commercial servos often lack this)
arduino compatible with easy to use interface
high resolution pointing
low cost (should not be a huge leap from stepper+stepstick cost)
serial interfaces for inter-motor communication
able to stand alone for simple applications
Adjustable commutation profiles
Anti-cogging capable
Open to customization. Outside of our firmware, we see mechaduino as a very useful hardware package. If you would like to use the stepper motor in open loop mode w/ encoder to verify location, you can do that.
Application Examples:
Fine, closed loop positioning for 3d printers
Fine pointing for optics (laser, telescope, camera gimbal)
Velocity loop for a record player
Force feedback/impedance control for robotics
Adjustable mechanical impedance: virtual spring,mass,damper
Electrical gearing between two axis
Haptics
Tele-operation
Gravity-cancellation
Load detection and characterization (simple case: use as a scale!)
Paper towel/tp dispenser
Variable load (brake¡¦)
Variable load (generator)
After market valve control
Other Advantages:
Finer resolution than steppers
True closed loop for disturbance rejection
Lower power consumption: only uses power to fight disturbances. This in turn means higher peak torque
Absolute position control (not incremental)