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Multi Servo Controller

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Eliza
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There may be a case when you need to use more than the 4 channels offered to you in the Motor Driver Block. With the Multi Servo Controller virtual block you can allow each individual pin on the Motor Driver Block to send signals to a servo.

WARNING: While in multi servo mode ALL pins of your Motor Driver Block will be sending out servo signals, so you will not be able to use it in its usual way. 

Since all of the pins on the Motor Driver Block will be changed to signal pins you will need to power your servos externally. Additionally you will need to connect the ground of your servos back to the ground of the Motor Driver Block. A tutorial on how to create is available HERE. 

Configuring the Multi Servo Controller Block

In order to use the Multi Servo Controller Virtual Block you will need to add it to the Workspace. To do this select it form the Virtual Blocks menu. 

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Once in the Workspace you will see the Multi Servo Controller block in one of the two states shown below: 

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Unconfigured Block Configured Block

If the Multi Servo Controller Block is inserted into the Workspace WITH an EXISTING Motor Driver Block online it will automatically select that block and configure it in multi servo mode. This is indicated by the RED colour of the block.

If the Multi Servo Controller Block was inserted into the Workspace WITHOUT an EXISTING  Motor Driver Block online it will be shown as unconfigured. This is indicated by the YELLOW colour of the block. You will need to select the Motor Driver Block you want to control in multi servo mode.

To do this go into the Properties panel of the Multi Servo Controller and click the Select button. 

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This will open up a pop up to select the Motor Driver Block to apply the multi servo mode to. 

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Select the Motor Driver block you want to use from the menu and click select. This will now put your servo into multi servo mode. 

Creating Programs

Programs are a set of poses where the positions of the servos are saved and can be played through. 

You can create the programs by opening the Properties Panel of the Multi Servo Controller and selecting the Add Program+ button. 

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After adding a program you will see that sliders will appear for each servo. Additionally there will be a section at the bottom of the Properties Panel alter your newly created Program. 

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Program Name

By clicking on the program name you are able to type and change the name. 

Time Delay

You are able to set the time delay between each of the steps by typing in a specified time in milliseconds. The time delay will be applied to the step currently selected. 

NOTE: Movement of the servos require time, so setting the time delay between steps too small may result in movements being cut off. 

Step

Each of the steps in the program. You can see which step is currently selected by the orange colour. While a step is selected you can drag each of the sliders at the top of the properties panel to set the positions of the servos. 

Add Step

Adds another step to the end of all the steps. The maximum number of steps is 15. 

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Minimise Program 

When you are working on multiple different programs at once the minimise button allows for easier navigation between programs. 

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Delete Program

Deletes the program 

Play Program

Plays each of the steps in order with their corresponding delays between them.

 

Logic Maker

You can play the programs you created in the Logic Maker through an ACTION Gate. 

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