Model Maglev Track (56k friendly)

Gecko · 11th April 2005, 12:44 PM

Hey everyone,

Before you say that this shouldn't be in the computer forum, it has a computer running it... close enough

Anyway, for a school project i'm making a maglev track, and since I thought it was pretty cool, i'm going to post it here.

This is the basic idea - not bad for a first try at Sketchup!

Click to view full-sized image!
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Everything apart from the train is made out of MDF and the train will be made out of balsa or foam.

Heres the action plan:

Phase 1 - Design track (Completed)
Phase 2 - Build track (Completed)
Phase 3 - Build electronics (3/4 complete - just need to buy and program micro)
Phase 4 - Make electromagnets and connect to relays
Phase 5 - Write software for computer and connect into electronics
Phase 6 - Make it look prudy
Phase 7 - Hand in...

Gecko · 11th April 2005, 1:11 PM

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Thats the relay control board/powerboard or RCBPB.

The green wires go to the MB (microcontroller board) and the black wires go to the relays. The wires along the top go to various power sources and put out various voltages.

The thing behind that green heatsink that I removed from the first device i saw - in this case a broken network switch is a 5v regulator which takes the 12v from the PSU and brings it down to microchip safe voltages.

Still in phase 3 I need to get some more relays - theres 7 channels and I only have 1 relay ATM and I have to order and set up the PICAXE (probably 18X) chip.

The computer behind this whole system connects to the PICAXE via serial and then the PICAXE turns on and off the relays via the transistors.

Gecko

Gecko · 11th April 2005, 1:42 PM

Oh yeh, I've found a good use of all those electronics that will otherwise go in the bin after this project is completed.... turn them into a dimmer rack for my room. For those of you who don't know what a dimmer rack is, its a lighting control system for theatres etc.

Desk light 50%
Room lights 25%

Gecko

Goth · 11th April 2005, 1:59 PM

I'd have thought you could drive power Darlingtons directly from the micro, cheaper and neater than relays.

Gecko · 11th April 2005, 2:03 PM

I'm trying to isolate the electomagnets from the chip as much as possible.

I should have said that the magnets are goign to run at 24 volts probably and will draw a bit of current.

Gecko

midget · 11th April 2005, 2:53 PM

(Agg edit: don't post crap, ta)

Goth · 11th April 2005, 5:00 PM

Prolly don't need a heatsink on the 7805, how much current are you pulling from it ?

Gecko · 11th April 2005, 5:36 PM

Thanks for that lovely comment ray

- I read it in the email before agg deleted it

Goth:

Enough to make it hot... I was running the system today and i brushed my hand accross the reg and got burnt in the process....

So I decided that a heatsink is all good.

Also, just picked up the wood from bunnings and have it all cut and stuck together, go pics are coming soon.

Gecko

Gecko · 11th April 2005, 6:25 PM

Ok, after a trip to bunnings and some fun with glue and nails I came up with this....

Click to view full-sized image!
Hosted by UGBox Image Store

and I also removed the reg from the vero board, and mounted it straight onto the heatsink...

Click to view full-sized image!
Hosted by UGBox Image Store

Gecko · 21st April 2005, 6:03 PM

Hey everyone,

Did a bit of work on this last week but forgot to post here...

I've done all the wiring from where the magnets will be to where the electronics will be. The blue/orange pairs are from magnets to the relays and the green/brown pairs go from magnet to magnet (dont ask now, it'll become clear when I get the magnets wired in)

Click to view full-sized image!
Hosted by UGBox Image Store
Overview of the track

Click to view full-sized image!
Hosted by UGBox Image Store
Overview of the track showing the wires going through the middle.

The track itself is suspended above where the wires are, but I took it out to make my life easier when I was cabling.

Click to view full-sized image!
Hosted by UGBox Image Store
And finally a close up of where the wires feed through the holes....

Thats all for now,

Gecko

bliaker · 24th April 2005, 12:05 AM

it sure looks cool

but what does it do?

Gecko · 24th April 2005, 6:00 AM

The idea is that the train uses magnets to lift the train and magnets to move the train around. Since there are no wheels friction is much less so speed is much more

Gecko

banshee · 24th April 2005, 7:41 AM

Looking good!

Do you have an estimate of how fast it will go yet, or just wait and see?

Remember: MAGLEV, Not War!

Gecko · 24th April 2005, 7:59 AM

Thanks!

I really have no idea how fast it will go... but i'm sure it will be fast. The problem is that its only 1.2 m long so i will have to make it acceletate as fast as possible

Gecko

bliaker · 24th April 2005, 9:25 AM

i see, same prinicpal for those bullet trains in japan i guess? (ive ridden one!)

sounds like tough work so good luck

11th April 2005, 12:44 PM	#1
Gecko Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,722	Model Maglev Track (56k friendly) Hey everyone, Before you say that this shouldn't be in the computer forum, it has a computer running it... close enough Anyway, for a school project i'm making a maglev track, and since I thought it was pretty cool, i'm going to post it here. This is the basic idea - not bad for a first try at Sketchup! Click to view full-sized image! Hosted by UGBox Image Store Everything apart from the train is made out of MDF and the train will be made out of balsa or foam. Heres the action plan: Phase 1 - Design track (Completed) Phase 2 - Build track (Completed) Phase 3 - Build electronics (3/4 complete - just need to buy and program micro) Phase 4 - Make electromagnets and connect to relays Phase 5 - Write software for computer and connect into electronics Phase 6 - Make it look prudy Phase 7 - Hand in... Last edited by Gecko; 24th April 2005 at 10:07 AM.

11th April 2005, 1:11 PM	#2
Gecko Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,722	Phase 3 Click to view full-sized image! Hosted by UGBox Image Store Thats the relay control board/powerboard or RCBPB. The green wires go to the MB (microcontroller board) and the black wires go to the relays. The wires along the top go to various power sources and put out various voltages. The thing behind that green heatsink that I removed from the first device i saw - in this case a broken network switch is a 5v regulator which takes the 12v from the PSU and brings it down to microchip safe voltages. Still in phase 3 I need to get some more relays - theres 7 channels and I only have 1 relay ATM and I have to order and set up the PICAXE (probably 18X) chip. The computer behind this whole system connects to the PICAXE via serial and then the PICAXE turns on and off the relays via the transistors. Gecko

11th April 2005, 2:53 PM	#6
midget Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hornsby, Sydney Posts: 277	(Agg edit: don't post crap, ta) __________________ My Rig: Asus p5nd2-sli \| Antec Superlanboy \| 2 x 512 DDR2 Corsair value \| Intel Pentium D 805 (2.66ghz) \| Lite-on 16x Dual Layer DVDRW \| Lite-on DVD/CD \| 80gb WD 7200rpm \| 120gb Seagate 7200rpm \| 320gb WD sata-II \| XFX nVidia 7900gt Successful trades with: wyzest1, dewy, devilsmurf x4, inspectr, ArcTan, azron, slinger, Gibbz, Jazper, smokeytk, rival81, Defyant, waynejkruse10, discordance, fewture, d-cee, wildturkey008, eth3Real, s4mmy Last edited by Agg; 11th April 2005 at 4:11 PM.

21st April 2005, 6:03 PM	#10
Gecko Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,722	Update Hey everyone, Did a bit of work on this last week but forgot to post here... I've done all the wiring from where the magnets will be to where the electronics will be. The blue/orange pairs are from magnets to the relays and the green/brown pairs go from magnet to magnet (dont ask now, it'll become clear when I get the magnets wired in) Click to view full-sized image! Hosted by UGBox Image Store Overview of the track Click to view full-sized image! Hosted by UGBox Image Store Overview of the track showing the wires going through the middle. The track itself is suspended above where the wires are, but I took it out to make my life easier when I was cabling. Click to view full-sized image! Hosted by UGBox Image Store And finally a close up of where the wires feed through the holes.... Thats all for now, Gecko

24th April 2005, 12:05 AM	#11
bliaker Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Adelaide,Semmy Trades:30+ Posts: 375	it sure looks cool but what does it do? __________________ Click me! #66 DFI owners club

11th April 2005, 1:42 PM	#3
Gecko Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,722	Oh yeh, I've found a good use of all those electronics that will otherwise go in the bin after this project is completed.... turn them into a dimmer rack for my room. For those of you who don't know what a dimmer rack is, its a lighting control system for theatres etc. Desk light 50% Room lights 25% Gecko

11th April 2005, 1:59 PM	#4
Goth Grumpy Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: /dev/null Posts: 9,303	I'd have thought you could drive power Darlingtons directly from the micro, cheaper and neater than relays.

11th April 2005, 2:03 PM	#5
Gecko Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,722	I'm trying to isolate the electomagnets from the chip as much as possible. I should have said that the magnets are goign to run at 24 volts probably and will draw a bit of current. Gecko

11th April 2005, 5:00 PM	#7
Goth Grumpy Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: /dev/null Posts: 9,303	Prolly don't need a heatsink on the 7805, how much current are you pulling from it ?

11th April 2005, 5:36 PM	#8
Gecko Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,722	Thanks for that lovely comment ray - I read it in the email before agg deleted it Goth: Enough to make it hot... I was running the system today and i brushed my hand accross the reg and got burnt in the process.... So I decided that a heatsink is all good. Also, just picked up the wood from bunnings and have it all cut and stuck together, go pics are coming soon. Gecko

11th April 2005, 6:25 PM	#9
Gecko Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,722	Ok, after a trip to bunnings and some fun with glue and nails I came up with this.... Click to view full-sized image! Hosted by UGBox Image Store and I also removed the reg from the vero board, and mounted it straight onto the heatsink... Click to view full-sized image! Hosted by UGBox Image Store

24th April 2005, 6:00 AM	#12
Gecko Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,722	The idea is that the train uses magnets to lift the train and magnets to move the train around. Since there are no wheels friction is much less so speed is much more Gecko

24th April 2005, 7:41 AM	#13
banshee Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Springwood, West of Hell (Sydney, actually) Posts: 1,593	Looking good! Do you have an estimate of how fast it will go yet, or just wait and see? Remember: MAGLEV, Not War! __________________ Folding stats

24th April 2005, 7:59 AM	#14
Gecko Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,722	Thanks! I really have no idea how fast it will go... but i'm sure it will be fast. The problem is that its only 1.2 m long so i will have to make it acceletate as fast as possible Gecko

24th April 2005, 9:25 AM	#15
bliaker Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Adelaide,Semmy Trades:30+ Posts: 375	i see, same prinicpal for those bullet trains in japan i guess? (ive ridden one!) sounds like tough work so good luck __________________ Click me! #66 DFI owners club