Help please I am so lost just need pointing in the right direction

[mister_e]

Assembler is free, MPLAB is free, if you have a "older" PC (says running XP or even 98), then some JDM progammer are easy and so cheap to build (not the best one but may work really well). A PICKIT 2 or PICKIT 3 Starter kit is also pretty cheap, probably the same price (or not much than) an Arduino, Amicus board Or some Basic Stamp.

Once you get the concept and built few project, PICBASIC PRO pay by itself. Still, there's a limited Demo version available on Melabs Website. From what I feel, what you need to do will perfectly fit the limitation of the DEMO version,

HTH

[cncmachineguy]

Do you have to do the hardware also? What kind of servo? R/C type or real servo, what size stepper? Do you have to do the stepper drive or just send step/dir signals? What are the outputs? Just set and clear a pin or is something connected to the pin?

All of the above are great suggestions, but really more information is needed to "point you in the right direction". Is this a job interview or a project for a job? The requirements are a bit strange.

[Archangel]

I will throw my 2 cents in here, first off I agree with Mr E. 100%. I would add this: A JDM programmer can be had on ebay for about 10 bucks US, PBP Demo is free but won't do elaborate program, but will do simple programs, use small cheap pics and use several and use alegro stepper controller chips. You might get someone else to compile your code in the beginning and then load the hex. I stayed away from microcontrollers because of Basic stamps high price ! FOR many years ! There are some cheap / free C compilers. The compiler is your largest expense. Serial LCD would eliminate the need for big LCD routines like LCDOUT (free demo won't do)
Upscale in price from JDM is the PICKIT2 It's great, but like 50 bucks. Low level 12F pics are really cheap and many have good features, but few I/O pins. Easiest PIC to start with is 16F84. Few features, several I/O s no analog features to confuse you, Pin compatable with 16F628A/648A so code will transport up. Request samples from
Microchip, Allegro, Maxim just do not get greedy with them.

[Rover999]

Thank you for all the help I have been given
I have made a few decisions bit just need a bit more help
I have been given a copy of flow code 3 and find It ok to use
I think if I use it I will be ok with all the help files around the net.
Just there are so many processors around I do not know the one to pick.
I want a pic that will control the following
Also the best hard wear to program it I am useing an old win98 laptop with one USB port
1. LCD screen around 3 lines of text
2. one stepper motor
3. 6 inputs
4. 6 outputs
5. 1 Keypad
6. 3 servos

[mister_e]

go for a 40 pin device then. PIC16F886, 16F877(a), PIC18F452, PIC18F4520 etc etc

if you have a serial port, try to build your own JDM programmer, lots of info all 'round the web. Make sure the software for the JDM will support the PIC you'll choose.

[elproducts]

You could also consider the CHIPINO from chipaxe.com.
It works with PICKit 2, PICkit 3, and any PICkit 2 clone.
Will accept Arduino shields and is PIC16F886 based.
They also have a breadboard version that's even cheaper.
CHIPINO gives you the simplicity of Arduino but the power of PICBASIC or any compiler such as Flowcode.
If you need help getting started check out rawmicro.com. They have a video on how to use Flowcode with CHIPINO.

[Rover999]

Hi thanks for all the help just so many different answers I am confused. Just brought the book PIC in practice and working trough it but it's slow going and I need to get this first project finished in a month promised it to grandson for his birthday.
Could some one please mentor me trough this first project then I can take my time with the rest of the learning
Thank you
Al

[Rover999]

Do you have to do the hardware also? What kind of servo? R/C type or real servo, what size stepper? Do you have to do the stepper drive or just send step/dir signals? What are the outputs? Just set and clear a pin or is something connected to the pin?

All of the above are great suggestions, but really more information is needed to "point you in the right direction". Is this a job interview or a project for a job? The requirements are a bit strange.

Forgot to answer all the questions the sevos are real servos the stepper I haven brought yet any recomendations .yes I have to do the stepper driver the out puts will fire either relays or optisilztors to protect the unit.
Just to turn things on and off
Hope this helped just he thinks I am like beforenand can do all this stuff but with the depression it's so hard
Al

[cncmachineguy]

By the way I do not expect help for free I am willing to pay for your time ect

No need for all that. Help here is free and ample!! Now thats not to say someone wouldn't be open to making it for you for a price, as long as you are doing your part like troubleshooting and trying to learn, folks here will help till its done or you stop posting.

Now off to look at your link.

[cncmachineguy]

Ooh that is pretty cool!! Now not being a photographer, I have no idea what to use it for. Looks like it may be a bit much to put my cell phone camera on.

How heavy is the payload gonna be? camera + lenses + whatever. That product says it will lift 10 pounds vertical, do you need that much?

Not sure where the servo goes, for focus maybe?

What are your plans for the actual slide? the easiest way to hack one would be an old printer. but you can buy the slides ready made ($$). Or if you have some tools, you can make 1 without too much trouble. The stepper size will be based on the load to move. theirs is a nema 17 size. I would reccomend a unipolor stepper. there is plenty of debate over which is better, but running at 12Vdc, I find uni better. Bi-polar is great at higher voltage and high speed. but you will have neither here. Also drives are a bit less expensive and easier to build yourself.

[Archangel]

Hi Rover999,
Slides get very expensive, but (please do not laugh) there are a plethora of pneumatic slides available on the cheap which have very many of the exact same features as shown, just gut the cyl. for the lead screw, alternatively commercial drill rod is very hard before heat treating and machine shop suppliers also sell bearings, bushings I. E. . . Enco. . . do not forget McMaster Carr as well.

[Rover999]

Hi every one is helpful I will answer Berts question first as to what it is used for it is for macro photography so when you get very close to an object only a tiny area is in focus this device takes a picture then moves a very small distance then repeats it up to a hundred times after this you use soft wear to put all the images together to get one that has lots of detail. Yes a camera with bellows and lens will be around 10 pounds.
Tools wise I have a hand drill and some hand tools.
If some one could make one fast for me I would be so great full just looked at my effot and it looks so poor but things are so hard at the moment for me and I do not want to disappoint him.
I can raise around £100 just is that enough you think just time is running out and if I get taken back in hospital.
Al