Dynamic Precision MX3 User manual
DynamicPerceptionMX3MotionController
UserGuide
FirmwareVersion1.10
RevisionDate:July10th2014
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FCCCompliance
Thisdevicecomplieswithpart15oftheFCCRules.Operationissubjecttothefollowingtwoconditions:
(1)Thisdevicemaynotcauseharmfulinterference,and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
oneormoreofthefollowingmeasures:
● Reorientorrelocatethereceivingantenna.
● Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentandreceiver.
● Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/TVtechnicianforhelp
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Table of Contents
1.Specifications
2.Overview
3.BasicOperation
3.1.PoweringtheMX3
3.1.1.DCInputJack
3.1.2.MoCoBusConnector
3.1.3.USBConnector
3.2.Buttons
3.2ControlScreens
3.4AccessingMenus
4.MainControlScreens
4.1.ProgramControl
4.2.CameraControl
4.3.MotorControl
5.MainSystemMenu
6.CameraControl
6.1.ConnectingtheCamera
6.2.IntroductiontotheMX3CameraCycle
6.3.ControllingExposureontheCamera
6.4.ControllingExposureontheMX3
6.5.ControllingFocus,WakingCameraupfromSleep
6.6.MultipleExposures
6.7.FocusLockwithShutter
6.8.LimitingTotalShots
6.9.StartTimer
6.10.FocalLength
7.MotionControl
7.1.ConfiguringMotorAxes
7.1.1.ConfigureAxisUsingPresets
7.1.2.ConfigureAxisManually
7.1.3.SettingDistanceperHour
7.2.ChoosingYourMotionMode
7.3.ContinuousMotion
7.4.ShootMoveShootMotion
7.5.LeadInandOut
7.6.LinearRamping
7.6.1.SymmetricRamping
7.6.2.AsymmetricRamping
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7.7.ManualMotorControl
7.8.SwappingDirections
8.WarningsandAlarms
8.1.InputVoltageAlarm
8.2.MotorCurrentAlarm
8.3.MotorTemperatureAlarm
9.AuxiliaryInputsandOutputs
9.1.AuxiliaryI/OTechnicalDetails
9.2.InputProgramActions
9.2.1.ChangingtheInputTriggerType
9.3.OutputProgramActions
9.3.1.OutputBeforeExposure
9.3.2.OutAfterExposure
9.3.3.ChangingtheOutputLevel
9.4.CommonUseCases
9.4.1.LimitSwitches
9.4.2.ExternalIntervalometer
9.4.3.“ChasingtheShutter”
10.ColdWeatherModification
11.SystemSettings
11.1.MetricDisplay
11.1.LCDBacklightAutoOff
11.2.ResettoFactoryDefaults
11.3.MotorTiming
11.4.Save/LoadMemory
12.EZTimelapseMode
13.UpdatingFirmware
AppendixA:MenuTree
AppendixB:ListofSupportedCameras
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1.Specifications
OperatingParameters
TemperatureRange(Standard)
0C80C(32F176F)
TemperatureRange(ColdWeatherUpgrade)
20C80C(4F176F)
MaximumRelativeHumidity
90%noncondensing
Ports
Camera
3/32”(2.3mm)TRS
I/OPorts
2x3/32”(2.3mm)TRS
DCInput
2.1x5.5mmDCbarrel(+)
MotorOutput
3x2.5x5.5mmDCbarrel
USB
USBMicroB
MoCoBusTM
RJ45Female
ElectricalCharacteristics
InputVoltage(DCJack)
8VDC24VDC
InputVoltage(USB)
5VDC
InputVoltage(MoCoBusTM)
12VDC24VDC
MaximumCurrent(DCJack)
5A
MaximumCurrent(USB)
500mA
MaximumCurrent(MoCoBusTM)
1A
MotorOutputs
SupportedMotorType
DCBrushedMotor
MaximumCurrentDraw
2A(ea.motor,nottoexceedpower
sourcemaximum)
License
Firmware
GPLv3
SchematicsandBoardDesign
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2.Overview
VideoOverview:http://vimeo.com/87678314
The MX3 is an opensource 3axis timelapse motion controller with integrated camera control,
multiple device connectivity, and MoCoBusTM support. Built to the highest specification with
industrial grade components, the MX3 is designed to provide years of reliable operation in the
field,whereveryourphotographytakesyou.
The MX3 provides a simple, intuitive means for specifying continuous and shootmoveshoot
motioncontrolled timelapse videos automatically, using inexpensive DC motors for up to three
axesofcontrol.
Auxiliary input and output ports allow you to integrate with limit switches and other devices for
moreexpressiveautomationinthestudioorinthefield.
Cold weather VFD display option expands the operating temperature range for winter shooting
inverycoldclimates.
MoCoBusTM support allows for future expansion of the firmware to control MoCoBusTM enabled
deviceswithoutacomputer.
Cameracontrolintegrationautomatescontroloverhundredsofpopularcameramodels.
Powerful, industrialclass motor drives combined with a wide input voltage range allow for
controlofnearlyanycommonDCbrushedmotorandforlargepayloads.
Automated alarms monitor battery voltage, internal temperature, and motor current draw to
automaticallyalerton,andreducethepossibilityofequipmentdamage.
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3. Basic Operation
TheMX3userinterfaceconsistsofa2x16LCDdisplayandfiveuserinputbuttons.Upon
startup,thefirmwareversionwillbereportedbeforegoingtothemaincontrolscreens.
3.1. Powering the MX3
TheMX3canacceptseveraldifferentpowersources.Theprimarysourcesforpowerarethe
DCinputjack,theUSBconnector,andtheMoCoBusport.Fortypicalusecases,youwilllikely
usetheDCinputjack.
3.1.1. DC Input Jack
TheDCinputjackistheprimarypowersourceformostmotioncontroloperations.Thisisthe
onlypowersourcethatwillletyouruntheDCmotordrivers.Youcanconnectabattery,orAC
adapterusingastandard2.1mmDCbarrelconnector.
TheDCinputjackacceptsawiderangeofvoltages,from8VDCto24VDC.Whatevervoltageis
providedviatheDCinputjackisthevoltagethemotorswillberunatthesystemautomatically
adjustsforinputvoltageandforexampleiftheinputvoltageishighertheMX3willallowhigher
speeds.
Do not supply more voltage via the DC input jack than your motors can handle. This
will result in permanent damage to your motors. Check the rating on your motors
before connecting them and verify they can support the supply voltage you are
providing.
Do not attach two motors with different voltage requirements at the same time. The
MX3canprovideonlyasingleoutputvoltagetoallmotors.
3.1.2. MoCoBus Connector
TheMX3canbepoweredviaMoCoBuswhenrunningasaMoCoBuscontroller.Themotor
driverswillbedisabledwhentheonlypowersourceistheMoCoBusconnector,asMoCoBus
cannotprovideenoughpowertorunDCmotors.YoumayconnecttheDCinputjackandthe
MoCoBusconnectoratthesametimeaslongastheyarerunningatthesamevoltage.
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Do not connect a power source to the DC input jack while the MoCoBus connector is
inuseifthepowersourceisrunningatadifferentvoltagethantheMoCoBus.
3.1.3. USB Connector
TheUSBconnectorcanbeusedwhenconnectedtoacomputerorapoweredhub,forpowering
theMX3alone.ThiscanbeusefulforsettinguptheMX3,orusingitasanintervalometeralone.
Motors cannot be used with USB power, this 5V source is not enough power to drive
motors.ThecontrollerwillresetifmotorsareturnedonunderUSBpower.
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3.2. Buttons
Eachbuttonmayhavespecialpurposedependingonuseractivity,however,thegeneral
functionalityofeachbuttonisspecifiedbelow:
1. [Up]
a. Increasevalue
b. Goupinmenu
c. Changecontrolscreen
2. [Down]
a. Decreasevalue
b. Godowninmenu
c. Changecontrolscreen
3. [Left]
a. Gobackonestep,closemenu
b. Selectpreviouscontrol
c. Abortinput
4. [Right]
a. Goforwardonestep,openmenu
b. Selectnextcontrol
c. SaveInput
5. [Enter]
a. Openmenu
b. Saveinput
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3.2 Control Screens
Therearefivemaincontrolscreens:
1. ProgramControl
2. CameraControl
3. Motor1Control
4. Motor2Control
5. Motor3Control
Youmayswitchscreensbypressingthe[Up]and[Down]buttons,aslongasthecursorisnot
activeonthescreen.Toselectacontrolonascreen,firstpress[Right]toaccessthefirst
availablecontrolonthatscreen.Afterwards,pressing[Right]or[Left]switchesbetween
availablecontrols.Onceacontrolisselected,use[Up]and[Down]tochangethevalueofthat
control.Tostopselectingacontrolpress[Left]or[Right]untilnocontrolishighlighted.
MoredetailsontheavailablecontrolsareavailableintheMainControlScreenssectionbelow.
3.4 Accessing Menus
ToaccesstheMainSystemMenu,press[Enter]onanycontrolscreenwhennocontrolis
selected.Somecontrolshavespecializedmenusavailabletothem.Toaccessthesemenus,
press[Enter]whilethecontrolisselected.Ifthecontroldoesnothaveaspecializedmenu,the
[Enter]buttonwillbringupthemainsystemmenu.Controlswhichhavespecializedmenusare
documentedintheMainControlScreenssectionbelow.
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