4-Way Acoustically Transparent Masking - Page 3

Thanks. I have considered that motor but I have some of the same concerns as Andy. Also, it does not appear to be able to move in either direction from a given stopping point. When you reapply power, it continues on in the same direction until it reaches the end and then stops. When you reapply power, it then reverses in the opposite direction.

Also, I would like to find something with IR control rather than only RA control. I would like to be able to program the movement of the masking into a standard universal remote.

Andy,

Very impressive drawings! Here are a couple of things to consider.

First, the counter weight idea is a very good idea and will actually resolve a number of issues I had with keeping the right amount of tension on the masking material. However, it will require the use of a motor with enough torque to act as a break so that the counter weight doesn't pull the masking closed even after the motor stops.

Second, I found that is was very important to have the rollers spin extremely easily in order for the whole system to work smoothly. My masking glides back and forth with very light finger pressure. All of the off-the-shelf roller shades that I found were not smooth enough and had too much play. This might be a non-issue with the counter-weight design that you have. If so, your design would be much easier to implement.

Ben,
Wow! I studied your web site and am very impressed with you electronic design abilities. I'm afraid though that most of it is beyond my level of knowledge. I'm having a hard time even understanding what all the symbols mean on your schematic, let alone understanding how to build it . I've done a little bit of reading on motor controllers but I always get stumped on the encoders and the programming.

Do you have to re-program the controller if you lose power? Can you move your masking as part of a macro in a universal remote or do you alway have to be hooked up to a PC?

This is my wish-list of what I would like a motorization system to do:

1) It should be able to move both the horizontal and the vertical masking by remote IR and/or RF control. The IR should be learnable so that it can be controlled by a universal remote like the Harmony or Pronto series.

2) It should move both the horizontal masking and the vertical masking to a minimum of 5 pre-determined set points for various aspect ratios (4:3, 16:9, 1.85:1, 2.35:1, 2.40:1). It should be extremely accurate and repeatable in its positioning. In addition I would like to be able to move the masking manually with the remote to any other aspect ratio as needed.

3) The masking should move from its current position directly to the preset memory position with the touch of one button on the remote. In other words, it should not have to reset itself by returning to the full open or full closed position prior to going to the desired preset position. Also, it would be nice if the controller had a speed control process so that it would quickly move to the desired position and then slow down for the last couple of inches.

4) It should have stop limits for the fully closed and open limits of the masking system.

5) I would also like a wall switch that functions similarly to the remote so that I can move the masking even if I can't find the remote.

6) The preset stopping positions should be easy to set. For example, I would like to be able to manually move the masking to the desired position and then press a set key on the remote followed by the desired Preset Key on the remote to set that desired position.

7) The system should not lose its memory in the event of a power failure.

It seems that all of this should be very do-able for someone who has enough electronic design knowledge and knows where to buy all the parts.

One of my biggest requirement is that they system has to be easy to use. That is probably why I am not overly dissatisfied with my manual setup. Even my wife can set the masking now!

Thanks for posting about your system. It certainly lets me know it is all possible. I'm very impressed!

- Scott

Very cool!

Great finds guys. I've looked at the somfy motors but they seem a bit pricey and lack some of the flexibility that I think I would want for the masking application. I agree with Andy that Don's (HTIQ) setup would be great if he decides to sell a motor only package and it is in the right price range.