I've been playing with an Ardunio recently (which I'm hoping will turn out to be more useful than just doing Suduko) and they are very neat little devices. So I read the article with some interest and whilst I might not want to actually build one of these DRO devices, I would have been very interested in reading the sketch (i.e. looking at the programme) that the authors wrote to implement the device.

I understand that it might have been too large/long to publish but it couldn't it have been available as a download somewhere? Without this key design element – it's a bit like publishing only half the drawings for a purely mechanical device in my view.

Regards,

IanT.

Douglas, just to pick up on your comments about "PIC".

The Arduino is interesting because it can be connected directly to a PC/Laptop via a USB connector. You write the 'sketches' on the PC and then simply click a button to download it to the Arduino. Once downloaded the Ardunio can be used standalone (although it will then need a separate power supply) and will run whatever 'sketch' was last downloaded into it.

The Arduino "language" is a stripped down version of 'C' but doesn't seem too hard to learn (well I seem to be making progress). It has also been designed to interact with the real world and there is a quite a good library of functions you can add into your own sketches – so it's a kind of software Lego. These include routines for DC motors, Steppers, A>D, D>A, timers and much more.

So they are a lot more user friendly than a PIC (you don't need a separate chip programmer for instance) and if you are only going to need one or two devices, I think they make good sense. If you want/need to use many intelligent devices (or are mass producing things) then a PIC (and there are many kinds) will probably have the advantage, not least on cost.

My Uno cost about £20 and came with all the USB cables etc. I needed to be up and running straight away. The software is Freeware and can be downloaded from the Arduino site. It's a complete programming/development system which is also widely supported by many individuals, schools and Universities on the web.

Well worth exploring.

Regards,

IanT

Well I saw that Michael (when I first read the article in ME 4461 – which obviously I had just paid for!)

And yes, I guess I could have sent £5 to satisfy my curiosity but I'm afraid that I seem to have a genetic barrier where spending money is concerned. I think it might have been a better model to have offered the download for free and ask for a donation IF the design was actually used. I understand the 'trust' model has worked very well for some individuals on the internet (I've even donated once myself!)

However, my point was that really, as these gizmos begin to creep into more and more of the stuff we might want to build (as I'm sure they will) then the "software" component will become increasingly important and if this bit is not available – then it will cause mounting problems for anyone wanting to build and maintain the project.

Regards,

IanT

> The Arduino "language" is a stripped down version of 'C'

I disagree. It is actually a pretty complete C/C++ based on the gcc avr compiler. The Arduino IDE is primitive but with a bit of effort you can use Eclipse IDE which is very good.

Roger Woollett

Edited By Roger Woollett on 04/10/2013 17:08:36

Yes, probably a poor choice of words Roger – Arduino "hides" some of the complexity of C/++ might be a better explanation.

And Martin – actually Ardunio is now also available on PIC in the form of the PIC32 (a MIPS architecture) chip that provides considerable horsepower should it be required.

These Arduino compatible boards are available from Diligent see: **LINK**.

As it happens I also have a PIC32 USB Starter Kit – and I understand that you can download (and re-programme) the PIC32 chip with the new Arduino s/w instead of the standard Microchip firmware.

To date however, I've not had the need (or courage) to try it.

Regards,

IanT

Edited By IanT on 04/10/2013 19:06:37

Hi Douglas,

I've no direct experience of the PICAXE system(s) but as I understand it they are similar in their general philosophy & approach to the Arduino concept;

The PICAXE can be programmed in a form of Basic (or a flowcharting system I believe) and boards built using them are directly connected (by a USB download cable) to a PC. So in these two respects (a high level programming environment and the direct USB tether) they are similar to the Arduino..

Beyond that I cannot make any knowledgeable comparisons in terms of CPU performance, memory size, I/O connectivity, cost, ease of use or the size of their user community – or any of the many other factors that might influence a choice of one system or the other.

In my case, I found some Arduino literature that aroused my particular interest and I decided to buy one.(I was already working with the PIC32) to explore the concept further. I do kind of suspect that once you have invested a bit of time in a particular system that you will tend to stick with it (unless there is a very good reason to change).

The 'familiar' is always a powerful swing factor in these things I think. So if you've already worked with PICAXE then that may be the best/preferred system for you, especially if you are more at home with Basic than C/++. (i.e. whatever tool will do the job for you)

Regards,

IanT.

As computing power goes up and price comes down newer systems appear and the older ones fade away. The Arduino is newer so more powerfull than a Picaxe. Now there is the raspberry Pi with more power still but each device has other factors, like interface considerations that suit certain applicatons.

They all make use of a PC to provide a more user friendly programming interface but also each uses a different high level language as a basis though the Pi has become so powerful it can support many languages.

Picaxe – Basic
Kronos Dios – picaxe on steroids
Arduino – C
Pi – Python, Perl, Basic.

At the risk of alienating Neil, and other Arduino enthusiasts …

Anyone interested in PICAXE would do well to start here:

The site is run by Revolution Education, who supply to Schools etc.

… Loads of datasheets etc. downloadable for free.

MichaelG.

Just a quick reply, gotta shoot up to Machine Mart to get some castors, the wheel has fell off the pram.

The project is just a small part of a larger project that controlled a very expensive camera system and was paid for by a customer.

I got the right to distribute the simple rotary axis part. I post later tonight in depth but I can share all the files.

Probably put a new post up later.

Paul,

The Nano or Uno [ both do the same job ] has a USB cable in one end which feeds 5v and signal to the Nano

Other end has 3 wires coming out step, direction and ground to go to a stepper driver.

As I say I'll post more when I'm welded the the armchair tonight.

Sorry, Neil

… Of course Real Men don't need Breakout Boards !!

MichaelG.

Bill,

That looks lots of fun … probably dates to the 1980s though.

We should all do some digging, and find the instructions for you.

Meanwhile; could you please give some of the numbers on the chips.

MichaelG.