Calibration Device for Scintillators


 * The objective is to create a linear motion device that will calibrate a set array of scintillators using light pulses

Ideas

 * Printer disassembly and take-over of printer head linear motion through use of parallel port programming with C
 * Worm gear connected to DC motor with micro controller set up
 * Linear Rail system
 * Stepper Motor Belt System

Printer's Linear Motion

 * Disassembled printer casing
 * Installed cygwin on computer for C interface and read up on programming language C
 * Investigated Computer Numerical Control but found it was not useful for this application
 * Investigated serial port programming and the use of Printer Control Language on an HP printer click here for documentation on PCL

Parallel Port Programming

 * Interfacing directly to the printer proved very challenging . For help, click here.
 * Unsuccessfully accessed printer

Worm Gear

 * Spinning a long grooved metal cylinder gear requires a lot of torque
 * Minimal support for head motion
 * DC motor with time steps is not as effective as stepper motor

Rail System

 * Has internal motion control
 * very costly
 * possibly too heavy duty for this application

Belt System

 * Stepper motor with micro controller stands stationary on one end and calibration device would be connected to a slide rail system for stabilityGears 01.gif
 * We need to find something that is low cost but is accurate enough to be stopped at each fiber array block. This would call for a low pitch. One example I've found is as low as 8mm pitch with 200 teeth making a 1.6 meter timing belt. Because the intended light source for calibration is most likely going to have a wide range, 8mm is a fair sized step as the scintillators are 2mm each but grouped in blocks.
 * For support: Overhead Enclosed-Track Conveyor Bracket, linear guide rail

Motor

 * Need to locate a stepper motor to attach to one end of the pulley belt system

Possible Resources

 * Nordex Belts and Pulleys
 * McMaster-Carr Timing Belts and Pulleys
 * LinEngineering Stepper Motors