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SmartKnob – Haptic input knob with software-defined endstops and virtual detents

github.com

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Re: SmartKnob – Haptic input knob with software-defined endstops and virtual detents

#11

Post by codetrotter »

riffic wrote: post #3

there was a microsoft surface dial, not sure if that ever took off or not. I thought there was another product that had this form factor

Another product that looks slightly similar to this, but behaves differently:

3Dconnexion SpaceNavigator

https://www.amazon.com/3Dconnexion-3DX-700028-SpaceNavigator...

And then there are the bigger siblings to that, which basically add a bunch of buttons around the SpaceNavigator:

3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro

https://www.amazon.com/3Dconnexion-3DX-700040-SpaceMouse-Pro...

3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Enterprise

https://www.amazon.com/3Dconnexion-SpaceMouse-Enterprise-31-...

Re: SmartKnob – Haptic input knob with software-defined endstops and virtual detents

#12

Post by seabass-labrax »

scottbez1 wrote: post #7
seabass-labrax wrote: post #5

I absolutely love that this is open source hardware; there have been multiple circuits available on the web for this kind of peripheral, but nothing even approaching the level of polish that this has. If the designer happens to be here, I have a question regarding the circuit. Is there any protection against voltage produced by a user's rotation of the knob? The TMC6300 IC that the schematic shows is directly connect…

Designer here - I will admit that I just do this as a bit of a hobby and I'm not an EE, so I don't have a great answer for you, but generally speaking since this is a high resistance/low KV motor and there's only so fast you could spin it by hand realistically, I think the voltages you could generate that way shouldn't be so high as to cause damage in most cases. The TMC6300 datasheet does show it directly connected…

Thanks for the swift response! I've been interested in haptic feedback for a long time, but so far have not come across any general way to calculate the acceptable power dissipation for a given motor and driver circuit. Physical controls have so much to offer in ease-of-use, but the chief downside of them currently is that there is no easy 'two-way binding'.

Re: SmartKnob – Haptic input knob with software-defined endstops and virtual detents

#14

Post by mattclarkdotnet »

Wonderful to see such a well documented open source hardware project! It does show though how much more difficult these are than software projects. 3d design and printing, hardware sourcing issues, the need for careful component selection, very poor support for automation of the toolchain, etc etc. As a minor hardware tinkerer this is both impressive and daunting. Bravo!

Re: SmartKnob – Haptic input knob with software-defined endstops and virtual detents

#15

Post by bryancoxwell »

mattclarkdotnet wrote: post #14

Wonderful to see such a well documented open source hardware project! It does show though how much more difficult these are than software projects. 3d design and printing, hardware sourcing issues, the need for careful component selection, very poor support for automation of the toolchain, etc etc. As a minor hardware tinkerer this is both impressive and daunting. Bravo!

Not to mention the cost of failure and iteration.

Re: SmartKnob – Haptic input knob with software-defined endstops and virtual detents

#18

Post by all2 »

codetrotter wrote: post #11
riffic wrote: post #3

there was a microsoft surface dial, not sure if that ever took off or not. I thought there was another product that had this form factor

Another product that looks slightly similar to this, but behaves differently: 3Dconnexion SpaceNavigator https://www.amazon.com/3Dconnexion-3DX-700028-SpaceNavigator... And then there are the bigger siblings to that, which basically add a bunch of buttons around the SpaceNavigator: 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro https://www.amazon.com/3Dconnexion-3DX-700040-SpaceMouse-Pro... 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Enterprise https://www.…

There was a guy that made his own and open sourced it:

https://youtu.be/iHBgNGnTiK4

Re: SmartKnob – Haptic input knob with software-defined endstops and virtual detents

#19

Post by ChrisMarshallNY »

riffic wrote: post #3

there was a microsoft surface dial, not sure if that ever took off or not. I thought there was another product that had this form factor

Surface dial was very cool. I haven't heard much about it, though. Wouldn't surprise me to find that there may be patent clashes with this project. Most hardware is heavily patented with highly enforceable patents. It's a damn minefield.

One of the problems with "Cool UX," is that it is too "in your face."

I know of what I speak. I have designed "cool" UX elements for most of my career.

It's a mistake I keep making. I guess I like the challenge.

One of my latest efforts, is a "prize wheel" spinner for Swift (iOS/iPadOS, via UIKit)[0]. I have considered creating a SwiftUI version of it (and even started work on that), but I can't justify it.

It's really very lightweight, high Quality, and easy to use.

I keep on not using it in my projects, because it's too "attention-grabbing." There's a reason that waitstaff usually wear black.

[0] https://github.com/RiftValleySoftware/RVS_Spinner

Re: SmartKnob – Haptic input knob with software-defined endstops and virtual detents

#20

Post by justinlloyd »

Why hello there. I am building a digital jukebox with physical controls and was looking for a few different knob like controls to use to shuffle through tracks. Definitely going to be using this in the project. Thanks for a well documented and Open Source piece of hardware.
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