MRAP Seat Mover first motion

[RufusDufus]

Hi all, it has taken longer than planned however I have first motion from my sim. I have called it an MRAP (MDF Rope And Pulley) Seat mover.

Still quite a bit to go and only finding about 1 to 2hrs a week to work on it.



Here is a quick overview:

Built almost entirely with MDF Sheets (no metalwork or welding required)
Seat mover design
Uses Ropes and Pulleys to transfer motor output to seat movement
Use the “Big Wormgear” motors available from motiondynamics
Uses single 360W cheap power supply from China off eBay (sold as LED lighting PSUs)
Uses H-Bridges from China off eBay (Sold as 43A units, probably more like 20A continuous?)
Uses Arduino X-PID controller
Max 125mm linear movement at seat connection point (equivalent to 250mm linear actuator at shoulder height)
Max 300mm/sec linear speed at seat connection point (equivalent to 600mm/sec linear actuator at shoulder height)
By adjusting drive and feedback pulley sizes can change speed and max movement
Drive and Feedback pulleys also made of MDF using hole saw
Have currently backed off motor power to 80% and restricted movement to 80% travel (via XPID software)
Motors don’t seem to be stressed at all, H-Bridges run cool enough to hold finger on drivers (Although haven’t run for more than about 5mins at a time so far)
Electronics neatly housed in the base assembly
Uses a 1/2in Universal Socket adaptor as the universal joint
It is solid but heavy!

Still to do:

Add traction loss – Have modified X-PID software to drive three motors with one Arduino – hasn’t been tested though
Finish the front end console
Paint and decals
Look at reducing the weight
Learn how to drive properly

I have been taking photos all the way and making notes so plan to provide more details when I have time.