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View Full Version : Any circuit board designers/builders up for a challange? (kinda long)


Arkamedies
02-03-02, 10:57 PM
If this thread is inappropriate for this computer forum, PLEASE delete it. No harm, no foul. I am not sure if electronics and such for “not actually full blown computer items” is an acceptable subject or not. But since it would need to be built to interface with a computer, I figured I would leave it to the discretion of the Mods. As usual, I will abide by your ruling on this as per the sign up agreement. :D

What I am looking to do is actually two things, so perhaps I should break it down that way.

I play paintball. I own a 2001 Autococker that has several upgrades.. the one upgrade I wish the most has not been made yet. As some of you may have heard, the electronic grips have finally come out for the Autococker. But I think it can be better, hence item #2.

#1. I want the pneumatics removed from the marker all together. I would like to convert the marker to completely servo driven firing and have a circuit board (that fits inside the grip) that can do the timing and the “multi-shot” bursts in sets of 1, 3, 5.

#2. And here is the tough part. I want the circuit board to be able to be patched into a computer so it can download the data that has been tracked during play. The circuit board would have a small display that would show what mode it is in, just like most “electronic grips” do now. There would be 4 buttons located just below the grips display that would allow for some small control over the display and what is recorded. Data needs to be stored even when the marker is turned off.
Button One: Firing mode – press once = 1 shots bursts, press a second time sets it to 3, press again sets it to 5, press again sets it back to 1.
Button Two: Record data On/Off - and when held for 5 seconds it will erase all data.
Button Three: Battery Life Display – will display battery life as long as the button is pushed.
Button Four: Mode Select and when held for 5 seconds turn power On/Off

The Information to be tracked:
Total Shots Fired by Date
Average Shots Per Hour
Perhaps more, but lets see if this is do-able to begin with.

I am not sure how most of this is to be accomplished, but that is why I come to you, or those of you who are in this field, for advice and possible aid.

Paintball has come a very long way in the past 20 years and is still growing. The electronics have also come a long way in the past few years. I would like to possibly be a part of where it is going and help the sport grow if I can.

If you are interested, please PM me or add to the thread if you think you need more info.

cjlax5
02-03-02, 11:07 PM
that aint gonna be easy...
or its gonna cost a ton, not something i would want to do

Arkamedies
02-03-02, 11:16 PM
Costing a ton is not too much of a concern I can justify the expense in the end if we come up with a working and usefull item. I would have to consider the expense an investment.

How many people have spent hundreds or thousands on their computers/cars/stereos/decks and gotten nothing from it but the "cool" comments from friends.

Your point is well taken on the expense, but wouldn't it be great to usher the sport into a new era of professionalism?

Shoot, they even have programs to track your day out fishing! LOL Why not this too?

Thanks for posting though. Keep it coming! ALL input is valuable here.:D