Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

My hat's off to ya!

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

What it will look like with the tires
http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/c272e428.jpg

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

Truly amazing work! Hats off!

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

Wow, you guys arnt so much raising the bar but redefining where it starts.
As for the controller as its a larger model have you thought about using a nano-itx board a PC servo controller & Arduino? this would give you 16-30 servos and 20 digital I/O for lights and sensors.
Best of luck for the rest of the build keep us updated, we love the pics!.

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

Hi footprint!

On my grader I currently use two modified Turnigy 9x transmitters to control 16 functions.
But I plan to switch to my own arduino-based transmitter with more functionality.

I am not sure why you suggest with the itx board?
You can make two arduinos talk with each other very easily and that's cheaper, smaller and uses much less energy.
What can the itx board combination do that outweighs those points?

Cheers
Jens

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

Hi Jens,
Yes i do like your joystick mod its very cool and im thinking of doing something similar but using the UNO and sending it all over WiFi, i've been looking from some good cheap joysticks (2nd hand) but with little luck so far.
The ITX board would provide 2 things; USB so you can use one (or 2) of the 24ch servo controllers and an Arduino for just the digital outputs, lights, sensors - tie these into a user interface and you have unlimited mixing & control options, eg pump, lights and indicators.
And second easy WiFi, the Xbee mods are pretty good and coming down in price but 802n cards with pigtails will a give better range and antenna options.
So while you could use a Arduino Mega, (14pwm i/o) and an xbee, i would be more inclined to over complicate it for the additional features. At 30" in size i would guess there should be space to hide it all the PICO-ITX is 7x10cm, however as stated power consumption would be considerably higher.
Edit: you could also use 2 xbee mods and a servo controller that uses 232 via one xbee but im kind of looking at it like using the ITX as a PLC/SCADA which also means using a laptop as the controller.

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

Hi Footprint!

Hm...
But we do not need xbee range. Beyond 10m, it gets really hard to grade, beyond 30m, it gets really hard to even steer. (1m is roughly one yard.)

Here's what I currently use and plan on building on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Cm3TxekJO4
(The description has more info.)

This is also fully programmable, but uses very little power in a compact form factor.

So you would have the ITX on the grader and connect the USB servo-controllers to the ITX? And then you add an Arduino to control the lights?
Why not use the Arduino to do everything?
IMO, that's a lot of stuff to put into what will be a crowded machine.

And a Laptop as transmitter? On many driving courses, you might have to walk behind the machine. And how do you connect all the controls to the laptop? USB joysticks? But will that work? Look at the Caterpillar M-Series layout - you have to modify the sticks. How do you get those mods into the USB format without further complications? I guess there must be potentiometer-to-USB converters. But why not cut out the middleman and go Arduino directly on either end?
And even if you go with the previous H-series layout, you'd have loads of 2-axis joysticks arranged around a laptop, which you would be schlepping around the course.

To be fair, the Laptop would probably be a very nice and even realistic display. And you could reprogram your radio in the field - but all at a cost

Building a controller/radio is a project by itself and there are so many different options. It's always good to hear from other people's approaches. :)

Cheers
Jens

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

Footprint and JensR -

Thanks for the information on the electronics. I have been tossing around a few different approaches on how I want to control this beast. Once I get her on a rolling chassis I will focus more on the electronics and controls. I may want to bounce some ideals off of you guys when I get to that point.

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

I just finished with the final design of the tandems. I will need to spend some time on getting the drawings finished so I can get the machining process started.

Here is the CAD of the rear frame and tandem drive assembly
http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/aa88eb28.jpg

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

wow, incredable!!!
Looks like made from factory blue prints!
Dan

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

MPE- This vehicle is truly a work of art:eek: In 1 of your posts, you mention not thinking much about paint or powder coating yet. Well you might want to as you need to allow for either of them for clearances for the final build. Paint on a 1 to 1 is not that big of a deal but when you shrink down to our scale coatings are a thing to be reckoned with. Things go together very nicely until you have paint on them- voice of experience.

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

Hey MPE, look's great sofar! Question on the radio? have you concidered one of that can run multiple model's at the flick of a switch? 1 radio, 3 reciver's may be the ticket.
Just a thought. cheer's, Neil.

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

MPE, I would be delighted to talk a bit electronics :)

In the meantime, I think you need to work on your CAD model...


...I fear it's not the right yellow! :D :D :D

Just kidding of course!

It's so awesome that Caterpillar are changing their blueprints to match yours!

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

for joy sticks check your local coin operated games guy
should have some old games that don't work and have the joy sticks
if you can't find them stop at your local bar/pub and ask who owns there machines and talk to them

Re: MPE – 24M Motor Grader Build
 

These are available on ebay: arcade joystick*

Some issues I can see:
Not cheap if you need several
rather heavy (but admittedly good quality and sturdiness)
only two axes per joystick, so copying Caterpillar's sweet M-series control is not easily possible

Cheers
Jens