After some feedback from some folks over in tugrik's journal, I modified my encoder-wheel generating code to make one with exactly 360 positions. Here's my backtracer's rendering of the new toolpath.
Yeah, given my code handling is all floating point anyways, I don't really see a reason not to use 512 positions. I just thought it'd be interesting to see the modified toolpath.
Now, why is that neat and why not just do it in the CPU? (retorical question, Revar! Put away the 2x4. Please, bat-bat?)
For those that really get into hardware, you can set up logic gates directly on the switches and drive a LED display with full numbers directly off the encoding wheel. No computer interface needed. (I seem to recall some really BIG ones sitting around somewhere, eh?)
For the ultra geek reference, you can model XOR gates using pressure valves and do it all with STEAM!
Actually, it's pretty easy to generate the Gray codes for any arbitrary _even_ number of steps. In fact, to do the 360 position encoder wheel, I just genericized the generator code. I can make wheels for just about any arbitrary even value. I suspect, though, that some will make wheels that are susceptible to breaking, with small connecting tabs. In particular, numbers only a small amount larger than a power of 2 should make for small tabs.
Dear One, it looks like a beautiful piece of art--and I'm sure glad you know what to use it for. Some one of these times you're going to have to explain it to me--in very broad terms. Love, Mom
Basically, with that hole pattern, and nine light sensors to watch them, the rotational angle/position of the disk is known exactly to an accuracy of 1 degree.
The holes follow the pattern of "Gray Codes" which have the nice property that for any transition only one bit will ever change at a time. That prevents problems with sensing two-bit changes where one bit's sensor may be very slightly misaligned, reacting later than the other, causing false results.
Comments
Cool to make it your self tho, and neat to see the tool path.
I'm gonna have to go play with some code now and see if I could
figure out a sequence that would support 0 to 9 cycling.
( 360.ddddd for fixed point )
Yeah, I know it's anti-floating point (almost anti-geek) in a very COBOL way.
But it's still cool.
- Krin ^ _ ^
1 : 0110
2 : 0111
3 : 0101
4 : 0100
5 : 1100
6 : 1101
7 : 1111
8 : 1110
9 : 1010
- wrap -
0 : 0010
hehe!!!!!!
Now, why is that neat and why not just do it in the CPU?
(retorical question, Revar! Put away the 2x4. Please, bat-bat?)
For those that really get into hardware, you can set up logic gates
directly on the switches and drive a LED display with full numbers
directly off the encoding wheel. No computer interface needed.
(I seem to recall some really BIG ones sitting around somewhere, eh?)
For the ultra geek reference, you can model XOR gates using pressure
valves and do it all with STEAM!
BWAHAHAHAHA!
STEAM SHALL RULE THE WORLD!
- Krin ^ _ ^
- Krin
-Deuce
Up, Down, Ground.
If you wanted enough values, you could use relative amplitude.
We get enough fidelity, we would have to use some ridged but easily
maluable material.... like say... vinyl?
hehe.
- Krin
pretty.
Love, Mom