Calibration Device for Scintillators

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Revision as of 20:56, 25 January 2011 by Jturner (talk | contribs) (→‎To Do)
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  • 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 stability
  • 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
 
Linear Motion Setup

Motor

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

To Do

  • Tightening Mechanism for belt
  • Pin for gear
  • Find gear diameters
  • Mount for Pin
  • Motor Mount

  • Learn to use the controller
  • Find pressure sensor for zero marker
  • Assembly

  • Deign light source on top of cart

Possible Resources