Frank's Workshop

Every time I add a device to my MQTT network, I need to do something with the data.   Typically, this is just capture the message, extract the fields and write it to the database. This is simple, but tedious – create the database table, create a service to listen for… Continue Reading MQTT Processing Event Handler

I use a SmartLab W scale, which supports Ant+ and BLE.   I use this with my Garmin 510 (Bicycle computer), however the process is real clunky to have to remove the 510 from my bike, wait for it to start, navigate to the weight scale menu option, then turn on… Continue Reading Ant+ Weight Scale MQTT Publisher

I’ve embraced MQTT as my preferred method of gathering device information. The latest project was to interface to my AR844 Sound Meter.   The meter has a USB interface and comes with some Windows XP software to read the data.   I managed to get it to run once on my Windows… Continue Reading AR844 Sound Meter MQTT Publisher

My first almost complete 6-DoF robot arm is here… It’s made up of… 4 Nema 17 stepper motors to control the base, shoulder and elbow 2 MX-28AR dynamixels to control the wrist 1 RC Servo with dynamixel interface to control the gripper 4 hypocyclodic gearboxes to gear down the steppers… Continue Reading 6DoF Robot Arm 0.9

I’ve been using my lathe less after the cnc conversion – small tasks like facing or reducing a diameter would require a lot of set up and writing a program.   I also use a KVM with one monitor, keyboard and mouse, which is away from the lathe. So now I’ve… Continue Reading CNC Lathe Touch Screen Interface

I purchased an inexpensive cnc touch probe many years ago and have always been concerned about the accuracy.   These cheap probes (and some expensive ones) use a tripod type arrangement where 3 shafts, spaced 120 degrees apart, rest on pairs of balls.   This makes a normally closed circuit, which is… Continue Reading Touch probe accuracy