The Spice of Pi - Blog Doug 8

1 Mar 2018

I have finally assembled the complete mechanical system. Both the carousel rotation mechanism and the jar lifter mechanism have been mounted on the bamboo base plate. The video below shows the first operation of the complete mechanism.

Hopefully the PCB I designed at the beginning of the project will arrive soon so I can get the electronics build completed.

And then it is on to the software....

Design Challenge Links:

Pi Chef Design Challenge

About the challenge

The other challengers

The kit

Terms & Conditions

Summaries by Charles Gantt

Project Links:

Blog Doug 1 - The Concept

Blog Glenn 1 - AIY Voice Kit Unboxing

Blog Doug 2 - The Block Diagram and Bill of Materials

Blog Doug 3 - Spice Jar Lift Mechanism

Blog Glenn 2 - Firmware Considerations

Blog Doug 4 - Carousel Design

Blog Doug 5 - Platter Rotation Mechanism

Blog Doug 6 - 3D Printed Platter Parts

Blog Doug 7 - Main Drive Assembly

Blog Doug 8 - Working Carousel

Top Comments

genebren over 6 years ago in reply to dougw

Doug,

Looks good now!
Gene
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mcb1 over 6 years ago in reply to dougw

When I first clicked it went off to another page that didn't have the video, but the links were still there.
Second click it worked just fine.
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dougw over 6 years ago in reply to genebren

I re-did the video - it is now working better for me....
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dougw over 6 years ago in reply to genebren

The motor sounds about the same with no load.
The platter has good bearings and takes almost no torque to start spinning, regardless of how much the jars weigh.
The torque only affects the magnitude of acceleration and deceleration.
The servo supplies about 13 Kg-cm, which is more than adequate acceleration and deceleration.
I didn't measure it, but it reaches top speed in under 1 second - I think the servo circuit might be limiting acceleration.
I think I will have a look at the servo tester signal on a scope....
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genebren over 6 years ago in reply to dougw

Doug,

I still could not view the video on my computer (others are working fine, I did try it with Youtube on my computer, and that did not work). I was able to view it on my phone (youtube), and I am very impressed. You did a great job designing and fabricating the parts. It does seem like the rotation servo is working pretty hard and the lifting servo could use a tad more lift, but working is far more important that working perfectly at this point. Hope fully your drive electronics will give you a more stable movement with a little resolution.

Great work!
Gene
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