Message
Re: updated my laser photoplotter
2014-05-04 by <elson@...>
Well, not playing with it at all. It has been one of the major tools in my shop for
18 years, and I need to keep it running, that's why I was worried the ancient
computer would croak one of these days. While updating the computer, I
took the opportunity to fix a bunch of stuff that I'd always wanted to do
from the beginning. Once I got the basic unit running 18 years ago, I
was just a little afraid to do too much and break something.
I never had the home switch, so I had to wind the carriage back to the
beginning manually. I now have a home switch and it automatically runs
back to home before starting a plot.
I never had the PLL lock sensing set up, so I just had the PC wait for
a long time and assumed the PLL would be locked. Now, the Beagle
Bone senses the lock indication and waits until it shows lock for a
continuous second before starting the plot.
Another project I ought to do is build a nice aluminum housing with
a hinged cover and light-tight seals. Right now, I put a cardboard
box with the interior spray painted flat black over it when it
is plotting to keep the film from fogging. It works, but it is
seriously ugly!
Jon