>Here's a link to my Instructable for motorizing the plunge of my USB
>Microscope Guided PCB Drill.
>Mark.
Hello Mark,
Nice, very nice.
My set-up uses a labratory stand and Flask clamp to hold the USB Microscope in position, this has the advantage of using the set-up at a higher position on the stand and using a lower magnifigation setting for soldering/inspection.
At the moment my Dremel Drill and Stand are being manualy clamped up-side down in an old bedside table with a suitable hole drilled in it.
My next move is to replace the return spring with a weaker one or possibly remove it altogether and have a "gravity" type return to the press handle.
This will be followed by connecting a small pneumatic cylinder with an adjustable trip switch at the top of the stroke for the return stroke/release. Appropriate selection of valves for control of the speed of the up/down strokes is ongoing. As I have the pump, tubing and a selection of fittings in my tool-box, this is a low cost solution for me.
To anyone in the United Kingdom interested in using a USB Mircoscope and stand:-
Maplin Electronics has a "Xmas" sale on the Microscope(part No;-N43HH @ £39.99 Pounds).
I waited for the prevois year's January/Febuary sale and got one for @ £30.00
On a second point, the stand that comes with it is a bit tatty, I replaced it with a Lab stand and flask clamp from Rapid Electronics. These are used with the stand clamped "backward", leaving the area under the Microscope clear of the stand's "foot"
http://www.rapidonline.com/
Stand and clamp;-
Laboratory Retort Stand Set. Order Code:13-0140 cost. £19.02 incl VAT Rapid)