well I had some great responses on my small engine post. so here goes.

I have some free time at work and as a learning exercise I want to set up a small motion control system. I need to have some vision recognition, and 2 stepper motors to control a platform attitude, so basically I am looking for a cheap stepper controller and microprocessor test kit that will allow me to start programming in windows and then migrate to the micro. Im thinking a USB stepper control but maybe serial will be ok. I have LabVIEW available as well as visual basic but I have limited experience in both.

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

uhmmm... lego's are cheap..


sorry all of the robot building I do is pretty much.. assemble droids.. plug and play.

+1 on the lego robotic sets - thats gonna get you robotting quicker than anything else.

I could spec out a set of industrial controllers, servo drives, encoders/feedback systems, but the cost would be in the $xx,000's and far more powerful than you'd want.

For a basic microprocessor controlling things- ever heard of a "Stamp"

http://www.parallax.com/
http://www.parallax.com/

-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

nah, doesnt have to be industrial or complicated. I can solder my own controller PCB if you have a favorite design. I like these guys in addition to the parallax stuff. Just looking for more options before I decide on a path

http://www.societyofrobots.com/shop.shtml
http://www.trossenrobotics.com/phidgetstepper-unipolar-usb-4-motor-stepper-controller.aspx?a=blog

__________________

1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

then you already know more than I. GL with the project, I always wanted to get a stamp and play around with it...after I fix the ..., and adjust the..., and repair the leaky.... =)

-John

__________________
2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)