I would like to try and use the MAF Three scanner with a separate rotary axis. Can a third party axis ( Closed loop stepper & controller) be controlled over the external interface? Can a third party axis be controlled by the API (via a DIY hardware interface)?
The plan is to have the Three scanner attached to a fixed position relative to the rotary axis. This is done trying to keep calibrations to a minimum/fixed calibration. Wanted to understand the possibilities/pitfalls before heading down this rabbit hole. Thanks!
Hi Christopher, Sorry for the late reply.
This is possible, but you will need some help from us to do it. Here's a short list of the top level requirements:
1) The API for the rotary bed is not currently published, so I can look at getting that for you if you'd like it.
2) The hardware is using a 5v i2c line, where the bed is a slave and reports angles, status, errors, and takes commands to rotate to a certain direction. You will need a rotary bed, or an hardware interface, capable of responding in the same way and timing as the current bed, with the same voltage.
3) The rotary bed will need to be no more than +/- 2 degrees in accuracy.
Please let me know if this is something you'd like me to do and I can get you documentation.
Absolutely! I'm already using a closed loop stepper motor with a driver controlled over RS485(MODBUS). The system is controlled with an ESP32-S3 being used to communicate with the variety of sensors alongside it. I already have level shifting in place 3.3v-5v so that shouldn't be an issue. Documentation on it would be amazing. Thanks!
