One of the very first systems I designed when I started working with X-ray equipment was an instrument that required manual tuning of a set of optomechanics. However, due to the presence of the X-ray source, the tuning had to be done when the machine was off, making the process extremely time-consuming. So…
My first project involving PCB and microcontrollers was to create a remote control system for the nine microscrews using stepper motors. The entire system operates through a USB cable and utilizes nine stepper motors, organized into groups to accommodate the limited power available from USB.
A simple Windows application allows for swift adjustment of the X-ray optics without the need to turn off or open the instrument. Although the architecture and implementation of the system may not be as elegant as I had hoped, the fact that this system is still in weekly use after 10+ years without any interventions is a testament to its reliability and makes it one of my top designs.
