Integrating actuators with sensors and control systems for precise motion
I’m working on a small automated camera slider for some hobby video projects, and I’m trying to make the motion a lot smoother and more controlled. I’ve got the actuator part figured out, but I’m pretty confused about pairing it with sensors so it doesn’t jerk or overshoot when it reaches the ends. I tried using limit switches, but the timing still feels off. Has anyone dealt with syncing actuators with basic sensors or microcontroller feedback for more precise movement?
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Yeah, I ran into something similar when I built a lift system for an aquarium hood. Smooth motion was a big deal because the whole structure wasn’t super rigid. I ended up using a simple hall-effect sensor setup so the controller always knew where the actuators was. While checking out different actuator types on https://www.progressiveautomations.com/pages/actuators , I found that some models are easier to integrate with feedback systems than others, especially ones with built-in potentiometers. That made a huge difference, since the microcontroller could adjust speed based on position instead of just guessing.