Hi Guys,
I have an SRX-611 which I guess is relatively old now. In fact it's been sitting in my garage for the past year, getting all dusty. The controller that goes with it is all in-tact, I don't have a pendant for it and the LUNA software interface needs windows 98.
Anyhoo, it lead to an idea about replacing the controller itself with some sort of open-source variant controller. Being an embedded C/C++ guy, and after a little research understand that my robot has 4x PMSM AC servo motors of varying power (highest is 500W). There are plenty of apps notes and demo boards (one from ST is £180).. which have the necessary IGBT power stages to drive the motors. There is obviously the opto-feedback/ homing / overrun sensors to look at etc... and lets not forget the safety element.
I just wondered how much interest this type of project would be to anyone? No idea of the overall cost of a system as yet.
My plan is at the moment to use 1 32-bit MCU (with some FOC control library) and an off the shelf power stage board to get 1 motor running and positioning correctly.
Reason I posted this in generic as I believe an modular approach (1 board per motor, with some sort of comms link between them and a host) would lend itself to driving other aging robots giving them a new lease of life?
Just an idea.
Cheers All,
Marty.