Re: [Emc-users] OT, Pic controller? needed for high school play
Bruce, Here is a link to light sequencing and DMX decoding using an Arduino: http://makezine.com/2011/11/01/light-sequencing-and-decoding-dmx-with-an-ard uino/ I personally do not know much about theater lighting but thought this might be of interest. If you are located in the US, the Arduino and various companion modules are available through Radioshack. Regards, Eric I need help First let me say i know zero about controllers. I am building the chandelier for the high schools performance of Phantom of the Opera. I need to remotely control the lights, two actuators and some spark emitters. The chandelier will sit on the stage all crumpled up as the play starts it will slowly raise and the lights will flicker and all come to life as the chandelier reaches is apex. Later in the play we will lower the chandelier a few feet and shake it with the actuators, flicker some of the lights and set off the spark emitters. Everything need to run off a 12 volt battery. There are: 48 LED globes. Some types of spark emitters, not sure what I am using yet, don't want to set of the smoke alarms Some type of linear actuator to pull two tiers of the chandelier together to shake it. Open to suggestions. Run everything but the winch, remotely. I'm told I need a pic controller for this and the engineer where I work says he'll put it all together and program it, but I need to find it and buy it first. Any help I can get on this will be greatly appreciated. Bruce -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] OT, Pic controller? needed for high school play
It seems that the budget for the play is a lot greater than I am used to for HS Plays.. Holland, MI is a nice city and apparently doing very well! (I'm in Northern Indiana) I'd probably use one of these controllers if I had to buy one new. They don't get much cheaper than this but it is fully functional.If you need more current output, add in some interposing relays or go with the relay output version .. $10 more or so at $79.00. If you need more I/O just add a module. http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Programmable_Controllers/CLICK_Series_PLCs_%28Stackable_Micro_Brick%29/PLC_Units/C0-00DD2-D These units run off 24 volts DC so you will need a DC-DC power supply to run these which is a good idea anyway since it regulates the battery voltage.. Meanwell sells some very good, but cheap DC-DC power supplies. Programming one of these to do what you want would be trivial for an experienced PLC programmer. Dave On 10/17/2013 8:21 AM, Eric H. Johnson wrote: Bruce, Here is a link to light sequencing and DMX decoding using an Arduino: http://makezine.com/2011/11/01/light-sequencing-and-decoding-dmx-with-an-ard uino/ I personally do not know much about theater lighting but thought this might be of interest. If you are located in the US, the Arduino and various companion modules are available through Radioshack. Regards, Eric I need help First let me say i know zero about controllers. I am building the chandelier for the high schools performance of Phantom of the Opera. I need to remotely control the lights, two actuators and some spark emitters. The chandelier will sit on the stage all crumpled up as the play starts it will slowly raise and the lights will flicker and all come to life as the chandelier reaches is apex. Later in the play we will lower the chandelier a few feet and shake it with the actuators, flicker some of the lights and set off the spark emitters. Everything need to run off a 12 volt battery. There are: 48 LED globes. Some types of spark emitters, not sure what I am using yet, don't want to set of the smoke alarms Some type of linear actuator to pull two tiers of the chandelier together to shake it. Open to suggestions. Run everything but the winch, remotely. I'm told I need a pic controller for this and the engineer where I work says he'll put it all together and program it, but I need to find it and buy it first. Any help I can get on this will be greatly appreciated. Bruce -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] OT, Pic controller? needed for high school play
I would disagree with getting a Plc versus getting a pic micro controller . I use picaxe chips which come preloaded with a boot loader and there is a free programmer available. Picaxe chips come in various sizes. The one I use the most is the 18m2 which are as cheap as 4.95 each. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10187. If you are looking for a pic chip that does not have a boot loader pre-loaded, they are usually a tad cheaper but they will need a special programmers which run around 80.00 or so. Sent from my iPhone On Oct 16, 2013, at 1:05 AM, Dave Cole linuxcncro...@gmail.com wrote: When you say remote.. do you mean via wireless ?? If you can run some wire which is obviously needed for the power anyway.. then this can be very simple via some switches and a multi- conductor cable. I'd run the wire down along with the winch line. Surpluscenter.com has some cheap 12 volt actuators.. Don't over think this.. Personally I think a PIC is WAY over thinking this..a cheap PLC with relay outputs would be easier to work with and more cost effective for a one off like this..(if it is even required) Automation Direct has relay output PLCs for less than $100. The programming software is free. Dave On 10/15/2013 6:34 PM, Bruce Klawiter wrote: I need help First let me say i know zero about controllers. I am building the chandelier for the high schools performance of Phantom of the Opera. I need to remotely control the lights, two actuators and some spark emitters. The chandelier will sit on the stage all crumpled up as the play starts it will slowly raise and the lights will flicker and all come to life as the chandelier reaches is apex. Later in the play we will lower the chandelier a few feet and shake it with the actuators, flicker some of the lights and set off the spark emitters. Everything need to run off a 12 volt battery. There are: 48 LED globes. Some types of spark emitters, not sure what I am using yet, don't want to set of the smoke alarms Some type of linear actuator to pull two tiers of the chandelier together to shake it. Open to suggestions. Run everything but the winch, remotely. I'm told I need a pic controller for this and the engineer where I work says he'll put it all together and program it, but I need to find it and buy it first. Any help I can get on this will be greatly appreciated. Bruce -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] OT, Pic controller? needed for high school play
Greetings I'm told I need a pic controller for this and the engineer where I work says he'll put it all together and program it, but I need to find it and buy it first. Any help I can get on this will be greatly appreciated. I suspect there is a misunderstanding as what you say sounds high risk. Choosing the hardware certainly requires a detailed understanding of the interfaces to your lights, spark generators and actuators. As an EE, I would not like to be given an arbitrary PIC (chip or development board), and driver boards and try to put them together for a one-off project. I too vote for a small PLC - I have not done a detailed search but you might need 24 volts (two batteries) to have the widest choice. John Prentice -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] OT, Pic controller? needed for high school play
On 16.10.13 01:04, Dave Cole wrote: Don't over think this.. Personally I think a PIC is WAY over thinking this..a cheap PLC with relay outputs would be easier to work with and more cost effective for a one off like this..(if it is even required) Automation Direct has relay output PLCs for less than $100. The programming software is free. +1 Something that is ready to go, and programmable in the problem domain (i.e. already has commands which deal with the real world; controlling outputs and timing, as well as sense inputs), will give much quicker results. Having spent 30 years designing with microcontrollers (in telecommunications RD), I'll offer these thoughts: 1) Both AVR and PIC have their fans, leaving other good contenders such as the MSP430 less popular. Beware of fans pushing their mascot, without fully considering your design issues. Any of them will do your job - after many weeks of learning, design, implementation, and debugging. Heck, even an AT89C2051 has the advantage of eliminating a lot of confusing on-chip hardware from one's first effort. 2) Availability of a bootloader is useful if you need to update the firmware in the field. Otherwise, it adds zero so long as you have a programmer for the device. These are dirt cheap, can be DIY, and can be as little as a few wires from a PC parallel port, in the case of AVR. If tackling a project which _must_work_flawlessly_on_the_night_, without some years of experience with 'C' and assembler programming, then please add a month or two to the project. The other big hurdle is mastering the on-chip hardware on an unfamiliar microcontroller - definitely non-trivial if it's your first. (On one project, I remember the hardware design team sending one of their guys to Australia from Tokyo, with the populated first system prototype under his arm, because it wouldn't do anything. I had chosen the micro, so my team had to help work out which clause of over 300 pages of manual had been overlooked in the circuit design. With perhaps 50 man-years of experience on tap, it was solved in a couple of hours.) A beginner under time pressure may struggle with a series of such device familiarisation experiences. 3) Hand-knitted prototypes can be less than robust. Wires soldered onto pins of devices stuck through matrix board don't endure tumbling around on a stage. If the solution must involve a microcontroller, then grab something like an Arduino, and build the IO on a plug-in daughterboard, which they insist on calling a shield. 4) If it's DIY, build at _least_ two, and make all connection plug-in. Standing there on the night saying I think the relay driver's futzed, with no plan B, is not a winning hand for the man of the night award. 5) The one essential ingredient in such a design project is time; time to learn, time to make mistakes, time to find them in the code, and time to fix and test and test. But plays don't run to split second schedules. Since remote control is needed anyway for initiation of one or more sequences, is there need for more automation than a PLC can readily provide? Erik -- Harrisberger's Fourth Law of the Lab: Experience is directly proportional to the amount of equipment ruined. -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] OT, Pic controller? needed for high school play
like a combination lock; two channels need to be on with one off, then the arming channel is turned on, then the fire channel is engaged. That's 5 channels, but it's the best use of channels I've had when more intelligent pyro controllers are not available. On easier things like confetti cannons, for instance, an arming and a fire channel are really all that's necessary - only when both channels are on does something happen - they don't need to be consecutive, just kept mentally separate (example with the confetti cannon: the fire was an r/c servo on a cam to engage the trigger, but the arm channel was actually a relay that controlled the power to the servo. If fire was triggered nothing would happen. Arm and fire had to happen for it to go off.) These methods typically preclude an operator from accidentally triggering a device by mis-programming or being in the wrong mode, as well as lost or noisy signals generating false control data, and to act as a hands-off when techs are preparing or loading the devices. It is amazing how often a single effect channel (like fog) accidentally gets included in a cue or a chase due to a typo Regardless of which path you take, it will be important to set time aside to play - whether that be learning a lighting console, or debugging timing on your PIC device. Consider the amount of time or need to implement cue changes - a PC on the ground may be more comfortable to make late changes or experiments with than having to break out the PIC programmer As one last sell point, the DMX modules you'd get would be rather generic - that means you have a generic asset that could be used in the future. I don't want to undersell the potential experience of the students getting involved in the electronics of developing on a PIC, but you may get better response from the budget folks if you can develop and teach a theatre-centric technology experience. Regards, Ted. On 10/15/2013 10:32 PM, emc-users-requ...@lists.sourceforge.net wrote: Subject: [Emc-users] OT, Pic controller? needed for high school play To: Enhanced Machine Controller \(EMC\) emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net Message-ID: 1381876486.79370.yahoomailba...@web140506.mail.bf1.yahoo.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii I need help First let me say i know zero about controllers. I am building the chandelier for the high schools performance of Phantom of the Opera. I need to remotely control the lights, two actuators and some spark emitters. The chandelier will sit on the stage all crumpled up as the play starts it will slowly raise and the lights will flicker and all come to life as the chandelier reaches is apex. Later in the play we will lower the chandelier a few feet and shake it with the actuators, flicker some of the lights and set off the spark emitters. Everything need to run off a 12 volt battery. There are: 48 LED globes. Some types of spark emitters, not sure what I am using yet, don't want to set of the smoke alarms Some type of linear actuator to pull two tiers of the chandelier together to shake it. Open to suggestions. Run everything but the winch, remotely. I'm told I need a pic controller for this and the engineer where I work says he'll put it all together and program it, but I need to find it and buy it first. Any help I can get on this will be greatly appreciated. Bruce -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] OT, Pic controller? needed for high school, play
On 10/16/2013 6:19 AM, emc-users-requ...@lists.sourceforge.net wrote: But plays don't run to split second schedules. Since remote control is snip Erik Humorously, of course: Um, yeah we do - locking to time code (30 fps) is a pretty common occurrence. What used to be a hard line of high school plays are paper costumes and a followspot versus the good toys are reserved for Broadway has almost disappeared. Although I was really surprised too the first time a community theatre project required a media server for the show.the world has been changing and technology has infused itself everywhere! Ted. -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] OT, Pic controller? needed for high school play
Ted, That was some awesome information. The engineer I'm working with says it doesn't matter to him what I find to control the lights and other bits, I just have to do the leg work and find it. I'm liking the DMX compatible device you mention, and could use some guidance on what to purchase. Budget on controller $500.00 What I know so far is I would like the chandelier to be wirelessly operated from a dedicated PC, It will run off a 12 volt battery on board the chandelier. Will use 50 LED lights, haven't purchased these yet, lights will only be on at begin and end of show, about 15 minutes total, will need to be able flicker some of the lights. I was thinking of buying bare LED's and mounting them in translucent evaporation balls to make the globes. I was going to use small linear actuators to shake the chandelier but like your idea of a DC motor cam/arm arrangement. I found the spark wheel gizmo thing at http://www.sylvesterthejester.com/merch.html My total budget on the chandelier is $2200.00 Play starts Dec 5th 2013 http://www.hollandtheatreguild.org/ Holland High School Michigan The chandelier I am trying to replicate. http://blog.syracuse.com/entertainment/2007/09/Chandelier.jpg I very much appreciate all the help, Bruce -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] OT, Pic controller? needed for high school play
I need help First let me say i know zero about controllers. I am building the chandelier for the high schools performance of Phantom of the Opera. I need to remotely control the lights, two actuators and some spark emitters. The chandelier will sit on the stage all crumpled up as the play starts it will slowly raise and the lights will flicker and all come to life as the chandelier reaches is apex. Later in the play we will lower the chandelier a few feet and shake it with the actuators, flicker some of the lights and set off the spark emitters. Everything need to run off a 12 volt battery. There are: 48 LED globes. Some types of spark emitters, not sure what I am using yet, don't want to set of the smoke alarms Some type of linear actuator to pull two tiers of the chandelier together to shake it. Open to suggestions. Run everything but the winch, remotely. I'm told I need a pic controller for this and the engineer where I work says he'll put it all together and program it, but I need to find it and buy it first. Any help I can get on this will be greatly appreciated. Bruce -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] OT, Pic controller? needed for high school play
When you say remote.. do you mean via wireless ?? If you can run some wire which is obviously needed for the power anyway.. then this can be very simple via some switches and a multi- conductor cable. I'd run the wire down along with the winch line. Surpluscenter.com has some cheap 12 volt actuators.. Don't over think this.. Personally I think a PIC is WAY over thinking this..a cheap PLC with relay outputs would be easier to work with and more cost effective for a one off like this..(if it is even required) Automation Direct has relay output PLCs for less than $100. The programming software is free. Dave On 10/15/2013 6:34 PM, Bruce Klawiter wrote: I need help First let me say i know zero about controllers. I am building the chandelier for the high schools performance of Phantom of the Opera. I need to remotely control the lights, two actuators and some spark emitters. The chandelier will sit on the stage all crumpled up as the play starts it will slowly raise and the lights will flicker and all come to life as the chandelier reaches is apex. Later in the play we will lower the chandelier a few feet and shake it with the actuators, flicker some of the lights and set off the spark emitters. Everything need to run off a 12 volt battery. There are: 48 LED globes. Some types of spark emitters, not sure what I am using yet, don't want to set of the smoke alarms Some type of linear actuator to pull two tiers of the chandelier together to shake it. Open to suggestions. Run everything but the winch, remotely. I'm told I need a pic controller for this and the engineer where I work says he'll put it all together and program it, but I need to find it and buy it first. Any help I can get on this will be greatly appreciated. Bruce -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- October Webinars: Code for Performance Free Intel webinars can help you accelerate application performance. Explore tips for MPI, OpenMP, advanced profiling, and more. Get the most from the latest Intel processors and coprocessors. See abstracts and register http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=60135031iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
