Whats New Since Last Update
Here's a quick update to last week's update. I have posted my LC software on a Gitlab at:
https://gitlab.com/softknit21-open-source-framework
Now for the update of the year's efforts. I have worked further on my PC software and have knitted my own very simple design using a PC and my Lock Controller - no Console. Odile is working hard on real PC software with some of it already on the Gitlab site, URL above.
I've been considering how the LC hardware should look if it were to be used widely. I've investigated an ESP32 microcomputer to replace the Arduino Nano and I found that an ESP32 runs the Interrupt Service Routines nearly ten times as fast as the Nano. But its real advantage is that it has Bluetooth® built in which means that there is no chance whatsoever of any failure in the LC or Passap's front Lock causing the +15V to appear on the PC's USB port. Very unlikely, for sure, but let's be totally safe and have no physical connection between your valuable PC and knitting machine by using Bluetooth to communicate between them. (Mind you, I've never heard of anyone having a Passap Console destroying a PC!) I now have a design and may build one in due course.
I've also been looking at the front lock electronics (called VM Selector by Passap). The main problem is the LED photodetector pair that is not available, as far as I know. I have found a replacement and shown that it works well. (Not without mechanical design issues to overcome, however.)
More recently, I've been looking at how to measure the position of the lock on a DM80. I'll let you know what I find.
Owen, 25 February 2022
https://gitlab.com/softknit21-open-source-framework
Now for the update of the year's efforts. I have worked further on my PC software and have knitted my own very simple design using a PC and my Lock Controller - no Console. Odile is working hard on real PC software with some of it already on the Gitlab site, URL above.
I've been considering how the LC hardware should look if it were to be used widely. I've investigated an ESP32 microcomputer to replace the Arduino Nano and I found that an ESP32 runs the Interrupt Service Routines nearly ten times as fast as the Nano. But its real advantage is that it has Bluetooth® built in which means that there is no chance whatsoever of any failure in the LC or Passap's front Lock causing the +15V to appear on the PC's USB port. Very unlikely, for sure, but let's be totally safe and have no physical connection between your valuable PC and knitting machine by using Bluetooth to communicate between them. (Mind you, I've never heard of anyone having a Passap Console destroying a PC!) I now have a design and may build one in due course.
I've also been looking at the front lock electronics (called VM Selector by Passap). The main problem is the LED photodetector pair that is not available, as far as I know. I have found a replacement and shown that it works well. (Not without mechanical design issues to overcome, however.)
More recently, I've been looking at how to measure the position of the lock on a DM80. I'll let you know what I find.
Owen, 25 February 2022