Active Suspension Test Rig Pt2

Short video showing off some of the updates to the Active Suspension Test Rig. Shout out to PCBWay for hooking me up with some custom PCB's
Check them out at: www.pcbway.com/
Also check out my Instagram at: / indeterminatedesign
And my github where many of my projects available for download: github.com/indeterminatedesign

[@groundcontrolto]

I find moving from the breadboard stage to the custom-PCB stage of a project a bit nerve-wracking but oh-so satisfying. Currently doing a version 2 of one of my previous PCBs now I've learnt some things.

[@IndeterminateDesign]

Yes. I’ve learned so much. Like next time I need so many more silkscreen labels. I’ve spent so much time probing pins trying to remember where they go.

[@groundcontrolto]

@@IndeterminateDesign I omitted mechanical mounting holes on one of my very first PCBs. Caused me no-end of problems.

[@the555timer]

ESP modules don't have buck converters they have linear voltage regulators

[@ZoeyR86]

Voice coil motor is simple, but you need to use the same tight gap system used by speakers but using a bushing in the center with a solid rod and the coil adjustable along the shaft coil attached to the control arm you can put a progressive spring in the center x-max travel is based on how tall the coil is minus the gap thickness so a 20mm tall coil with a 5mm tall gap gives you 15mm of linear travel

[@IndeterminateDesign]

Thanks! I was thinking they looked simple, but given that they charge several hundred dollars for the cheapest industrial VCMs I was concerned there was more to them. I think I'll still need a top on my voice coil to help support the rod unless I can get an extremely tight fit between the magnets and the body that supports the coil.

[@luciancucli5319]

Nice job, and congratulation on your methodical approach. I've made a somehow similar test platform but used a speaker (woofer) , an audio amplifier and laptop audio output (as signal generator). I've tested different types of shock absorbers for my projects to get as much as possible from them, but to be honest real life testing was more useful regarding the setup tuning. I am really looking forward for your streamliner car project.

[@IndeterminateDesign]

That's awesome. I was thinking real world tuning or even a some sort of self tuning was going to be necessary. The issue I've always had tuning so far in the real world is that I don't always know what being caused by the tuning or my software bugs.

[@loopie007]

What application did you use to create the graphing GUI output?

[@IndeterminateDesign]

I built my own application using Microsoft C# because there wasn't really an off the shelf alternative for this.