Hello Folks,
Just letting you know I'm still around and working on stuff. I have some new ideas on a scanner to add to the robot. I will be implementing these for the coming spring. I'm looking at using a round, spinning wheel with a VLF coil on one side, and a PI coil on the other. If I spin the wheel one direction, I can go back and forth with a wired coil, and if I use my Deus XP coil, I can spin continuously.
https://www.xpmetaldetectors.com/en/produit/xp-9-fmf-coil.php
-Since its wireless, I can still receive targets from this..
I just received my copy of the Arduino Nano VLF metal detecting book:
I am thinking about using the VLF and PI designs from the previous book. I would use the PLC as a supervisory, and interface to the Nanos (Teensy 4.0 or 4.1's actually) and pass data back and forth for the HMI over Modbus. It's slow, but it doesn't need to be fast for the HMI control. I can also log data on the Slippy Maps in VTScada with GPS data.
I'm still using VTScada as a cheap HMI interface.
I'm currently using Teensy 4.0 microcontrollers.
https://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy40.html
Lately I am using the Teensy 4.1 with a Ethernet interface, and Free RTOS and Modbus TCP for the interface.
I am also using Codesys with several PLCs. One in particular I am using which is cool is Bosch Rexroth Ctrlx Cores. I still have my Wago PFC100, but I am debating on moving away from using it.
Its a Ubuntu Core based PLC that uses Snap Apps. I am using the Core Virtual PLC running on a Laptop, which gives me 4 hours of runtime. before rebooting. Oh yes, its free also. Hardware is what you need to pay for.
https://apps.boschrexroth.com/microsites/ctrlx-automation/en/portfolio/ctrlx-core/
