Thread Subject:

operating a toy using computer interface

Hi,

Though I have some electronics background, I am not good at practical point of view.

I am trying to design and operate a gantry which can move in x,y and z directions with given distance(from millimeters to centimeters).

As a first step I want to control a toy like device from a computer interface.

I am not able to figure out the point from which I need to start with.

Can I use Simulink to achieve my goal.
Could anyone suggest me a beginner level tutorial.

I am very much grateful to your help

Regards,
Dave.

"Dave " <dbrucedev@gmail.com> wrote in message <jrhj9q$ec4$1@newscl01ah.mathworks.com>...
> Hi,
>
> Though I have some electronics background, I am not good at practical point of view.
>
> I am trying to design and operate a gantry which can move in x,y and z directions with given distance(from millimeters to centimeters).
>
> As a first step I want to control a toy like device from a computer interface.
>
> I am not able to figure out the point from which I need to start with.
>
> Can I use Simulink to achieve my goal.
> Could anyone suggest me a beginner level tutorial.
>
> I am very much grateful to your help
>
> Regards,
> Dave.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

You might start here:

http://www.mathworks.com/academia/lego-mindstorms-nxt-software/

For information on installation and setup (including step-by-step instructions for Windows and Mac), I suggest exploring this page:

http://www.clemson.edu/ces/departments/ece/document_resource/undergrad/matlab/

If you haven't already chosen the gantry you want to work with, this might be your best option. I have no experience with LEGO MINDSTORMS myself (yet), but it impresses me as an interesting control project, and the interface software seems mature and reliable. I suggest you search the 'Newsreader' and 'Answers' to see what others' experiences have been with it before you commit to it.

Looking at the panel on the left side of the TMW page under 'Hardware Resources', there seem to be a number of them in addition to LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT that are compatible with MATLAB and particularly Simulink, although for the project you describe, LEGO may be most appropriate.

Have fun with your project!

"Star Strider" wrote in message <jrid0v$mkd$1@newscl01ah.mathworks.com>...
> "Dave " <dbrucedev@gmail.com> wrote in message <jrhj9q$ec4$1@newscl01ah.mathworks.com>...
> > Hi,
> >
> > Though I have some electronics background, I am not good at practical point of view.
> >
> > I am trying to design and operate a gantry which can move in x,y and z directions with given distance(from millimeters to centimeters).
> >
> > As a first step I want to control a toy like device from a computer interface.
> >
> > I am not able to figure out the point from which I need to start with.
> >
> > Can I use Simulink to achieve my goal.
> > Could anyone suggest me a beginner level tutorial.
> >
> > I am very much grateful to your help
> >
> > Regards,
> > Dave.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> You might start here:
>
> http://www.mathworks.com/academia/lego-mindstorms-nxt-software/
>
> For information on installation and setup (including step-by-step instructions for Windows and Mac), I suggest exploring this page:
>
> http://www.clemson.edu/ces/departments/ece/document_resource/undergrad/matlab/
>
> If you haven't already chosen the gantry you want to work with, this might be your best option. I have no experience with LEGO MINDSTORMS myself (yet), but it impresses me as an interesting control project, and the interface software seems mature and reliable. I suggest you search the 'Newsreader' and 'Answers' to see what others' experiences have been with it before you commit to it.
>
> Looking at the panel on the left side of the TMW page under 'Hardware Resources', there seem to be a number of them in addition to LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT that are compatible with MATLAB and particularly Simulink, although for the project you describe, LEGO may be most appropriate.
>
> Have fun with your project!


===========

Thanks a ton Star Strider.

This is the beauty of matlab news group. At least one person responds to a question whether it is a beginner level or advanced level.

I appreciate your help.

Regards,
Dave...

"Dave " <dbrucedev@gmail.com> wrote in message <jrkssj$pcm$1@newscl01ah.mathworks.com>...

> ===========
>
> Thanks a ton Star Strider.
>
> This is the beauty of matlab news group. At least one person responds to a question whether it is a beginner level or advanced level.
>
> I appreciate your help.
>
> Regards,
> Dave...

----------------------------------------

Thank you!

My pleasure!

Hi Star Strider,

I've gone through the links shared by you.
I can use either matlab or simulink as a software to control the hardware.
Coming to hardware, instead of buying (like LEGO MINDSTORMS ) can't I construct a toy kind of thing which can move in x,y and z directions.
The point is, I want to minimize the cost as much as possible.

Could you suggest me in this regard.

Thanks and Regards,
Dave


----------------------

"Star Strider" wrote in message <jrku5r$v8$1@newscl01ah.mathworks.com>...
> "Dave " <dbrucedev@gmail.com> wrote in message <jrkssj$pcm$1@newscl01ah.mathworks.com>...
>
> > ===========
> >
> > Thanks a ton Star Strider.
> >
> > This is the beauty of matlab news group. At least one person responds to a question whether it is a beginner level or advanced level.
> >
> > I appreciate your help.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Dave...
>
> ----------------------------------------
>
> Thank you!
>
> My pleasure!

"Dave " <dbrucedev@gmail.com> wrote in message <jrl5rf$lk$1@newscl01ah.mathworks.com>...
> Hi Star Strider,
>
> I've gone through the links shared by you.
> I can use either matlab or simulink as a software to control the hardware.
> Coming to hardware, instead of buying (like LEGO MINDSTORMS ) can't I construct a toy kind of thing which can move in x,y and z directions.
> The point is, I want to minimize the cost as much as possible.
>
> Could you suggest me in this regard.
>
> Thanks and Regards,
> Dave
>
>

--------------------------------------------------------------

I'll refer you to MATLAB Hardware Resources page (http://www.mathworks.com/academia/hardware-resources/) so you can decide among those options what hardware will best do what you want. MATLAB supports all of them, and there appears to be a community of users (as well as MATLAB Tech Support and the hardware manufacturers) who can help you if you have problems.

It will likely _not_ be less expensive in either time or money to build your own hardware interface card from components and then make it work with your motors.