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

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genebren over 7 years ago

Doug,

Great job! I don't know if I am having a slow internet day, or if there is a problem with your video, but I could not get past the 10 sec mark of your video. I will try again later.

Gene
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genebren over 7 years ago

Doug,

Great job! I don't know if I am having a slow internet day, or if there is a problem with your video, but I could not get past the 10 sec mark of your video. I will try again later.

Gene
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dougw over 7 years ago in reply to genebren

I'm not sure what the issue is. The first time I viewed the blog, the audio got out of sync when the rotating segment started, but I restarted the video and it seems to work fine now on both IE and Chrome.
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genebren over 7 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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dougw over 7 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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dougw over 7 years ago in reply to genebren

I re-did the video - it is now working better for me....
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genebren over 7 years ago in reply to dougw

Doug,

Looks good now!
Gene
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