Integrated system for laboratory equipment control

Cilj diplomskega dela je bil načrtovanje in izvedba vgrajenega sistema za vodenje laboratorijske opreme, z namenom olajšati ter poenostaviti izdelavo lastne opreme in tako približati tehnologijo laboratorijskih naprav krogu uporabnikov, ki si je sicer ne morejo finančno privoščiti ali pa nimajo znanja za izdelavo vodilnih sistemov. Izdelan sistem je zmožen upravljati funkcije osnovnih laboratorijskih naprav, kot so vrtenje električnega motorja pri mešalnikih ter centrifugah in reguliranje veličine s povratno zanko iz senzorjev, npr. temperature pri vodenju grelcev z branjem analognega signala iz termometra. Glavni komponenti sistema sta mikrokrmilnik in modul za odprtozančno vodenje koračnih motorjev. Sistem potrebuje 12 voltno napajanje in ima vgrajen napetostni regulator za napajanje mikrokrmilnika. Uporabnik sistem upravlja preko optičnega kodirnika in zaslona. Sistem deluje po pričakovanjih in se že uspešno uporablja v različnih napravah.The purpose of this thesis is to design and develop an embedded system for laboratory equipment control with the intention to simplify the production of self-made laboratory equipment thus closing the gap between laboratory equipment and those who cannot afford it or do not own the skills to make the system themselves. The system can perform general laboratory equipment functions such as, electrical motor control used in mixers and centrifuges, controlling an output via sensor feedback, for example temperature in heaters, and reading analog values from external sensors used in measurements. Main components of the system are the microcontroller and open-loop stepper motor controller. The system uses 12-volt power input and includes a voltage regulator to power the microcontroller. The user controls the system with an optical encoder and a screen. The system works as expected and is already used in some equipment