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Prioritising Mechanical Multiplexer (Patreon)

Published:
2021-04-19 12:05:28
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Here's next week's video, early for Patrons. This one goes out publicly on Tuesday 27th April.  I've been thinking about this one since I built Ultron, but I don't really have a great use for it - so I thought I'd ask the audience!  At worst it could be used as a coding challenge ;-)

Files

Previews only

Prioritising Mechanical Multiplexer - PREVIEW VERSION

This is an idea that I had some time ago, and originally built as part of Project Ultron. I thought I'd redesign it now and ask for your help in deciding what we can use it for. This is a Prioritising Mechanical Multiplexer which allows us to use one large drive motor to control multiple outputs, and prioritise which outputs we solve first based on the inputs. You can support me on Patreon or buy my Merchandise: *************************** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xrobots Merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/james-bruton *************************** Affiliate links - I will get some money of you use them to sign up or buy something: *************************** Matterhackers 3D printing supplies: http://www.matterhackers.com?aff=7500 Music for your YouTube videos: http://share.epidemicsound.com/xrobots *************************** Other socials: *************************** Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xrobotsuk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xrobotsuk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/xrobotsuk *************************** CAD and Code for my projects: https://github.com/XRobots Huge thanks to my Patrons, without whom my standard of living would drastically decline. Like, inside out-Farm Foods bag decline. Plus a very special shoutout to Lulzbot, Inc who keep me in LulzBot 3D printers and support me via Patreon. HARDWARE/SOFTWARE Below you can also find a lot of the typical tools, equipment and supplies used in my projects: Filament from: https://www.3dfuel.com/ Lulzbot 3D Printers: http://bit.ly/2Sj6nil Lincoln Electric Welder: https://bit.ly/2Rqhqos CNC Router: https://bit.ly/2QdsNjt Ryobi Tools: http://bit.ly/2RhArcD Axminster Micro Lathe: http://bit.ly/2Sj6eeN 3D Printer Filament: http://bit.ly/2PdcdUu Soldering Iron: http://bit.ly/2DrNWDR Vectric CNC Software: http://bit.ly/2zxpZqv Why not join my community, who are mostly made up of actual geniuses. There’s a Facebook group and everything: https://www.facebook.com/groups/287089964833488/ XROBOTS Former toy designer, current YouTube maker and general robotics, electrical and mechanical engineer, I’m a fan of doing it yourself and innovation by trial and error. My channel is where I share some of my useful and not-so-useful inventions, designs and maker advice. Iron Man is my go-to cosplay, and 3D printing can solve most issues - broken bolts, missing parts, world hunger, you name it. XRobots is the community around my content where you can get in touch, share tips and advice, and more build FAQs, schematics and designs are also available.

Comments

Scott Cress

Very cool concept. Reminds me of the old workshops that ran all the machines off of one central "drive shaft" which originally was driven by something as simple as a water wheel. I do have one question, why is there that intermediary worm and spur gear? Could you have just put a worm gear on the drive shaft?

XRobots
>>58049910

I could have, but that wouldn't lock the worm in place once the spur gear has moves away.

Anonymous

The fact that it can only move one output at a time (and somewhat slowly) probably makes it hard for some sort of dynamic walking robot but maybe you can make a Rubik's Cube solver that spins 1 axis at a time, or a combination lock solver, or a multi-switch Marvin Minsky useless machine, or something for the ball contraption where balls go into a Wood Labyrinth that needs to be turned along its 2 rotational axis constantly

Anonymous

Bartender mechanism. Slides down the bottles and dispenses appropriate amounts of the spirit/liquor.

Neil Devonshire

Like it, you could have a long string of them and have each output point to the each individual date and time elements for a huge clock on your wall in the background.

XRobots
>>58057164

I thought about that - having the motor go down with a plate or cup and make various mechanisms work at each stage to serve food/drinks.

Anonymous
>>58078845

They were! But similar to your design IIRC. They just used a stack of planetary gears to drive each axis. The motor turned all of the sun gears. Each ring gear was attached to a different mechanism. The planet carriers just spun freely until you pushed the joystick to catch one and provide a reaction torque.

Shadow

I wonder how many outputs can be designed with this setup? I'd say going up to 12 would be enough

XRobots
>>58088132

As may as you like I guess. You could also have 2/3 motors servicing lots of outputs.

Anonymous

The idea that immediately came to mind is a PTZ mechanism for a camera or antenna; not sure how the Tilt and Zoom would translate up into the mechanism. This could be useful for tracking weather satellites APT transmissions with a homemade antenna and an low-cost RTL-SDR dongle to gather your own weather maps.

Cody Blotske

how about a time lapse camera gimble/rail. if each frame is taken 10-30 seconds apart so it'd have time to move each axis before the next shot is needed. basically a pan tilt on a rail. you could have the camera move but track a stationary object. using trig to determine how much pan and tilt you'd need for each movement down the rail.

XRobots
>>58152404

That is a good one - probably cable or chain control with some extra bevel gears, or a completely different layout to start with would be required.

XRobots
>>58179910

I made a separate loop that runs at 100ms so the rest still runs at 10ms. It's hacky but it works for the demo.

Anonymous
>>58179910

Nothing wrong with doing it easy! I can't wait to see how this project develops.

Anonymous

James, a while back I came across somethign... I think on "gear down for what" (but i couldn't find it)... where he designed a planetary gear system with 3 outer ring gears. he was able to block off different rings. Same effect - one motor but 3 different outputs or combined output if more power was required. it was an elegant solution. Might be worth exploring as well.

XRobots
>>58259216

I used to watch that channel as well and it rings a bell - I can't find it either though ;-)

Anonymous
>>58259216

ANDDDDDD.... as soon as you start looking you disappear down a youtube rabbit hole for an hour. I watched something on a massive pipe organ the other day. WHATTTT???? Since when have i everf had an interest in pipe organs. hahaha. great bit of content though.