LUNATRON ATE SPECIAL EDITION

UPDATE #1:

This dedicated tattoo power supply can withstand all the abuse in the world !

Some  of it's features :

- 3 A resettable circuit breaker .( At AC circuitry .)

-4 A fuse .( At AC Circuitry. )

- 10 A Storage coil ( Radiohm ) .Can withstand the most powerful 'spikes' / 'kickback' currents ,
even from powerful coil tattoo machines,set at high operating frequencies
and / or being driven at high voltages.No problem.
No more "burned out " power supplies / voltage regulators !

-Powerful output ripple filter.

-High frequency electrolytic 2200μf Input/Output capacitors at voltage regulator.

-Extra low Equivalent Series Resistance of Bypass/Filter Capacitor Circuitry.


This Engine will also have two dedicated LCD displays.
The first one -with XL ( 3 1/2 ) black digits-will be showing the set operating voltage.
The second one ,will be a 84x48 graphic display ,showing four different screens ,for
rotary tattoo machine PulseWidthModulation Control and Coil tattoo Machine diagnostics
( Frequency ,duty cycle ,duration of "charging" ,etc ) .


Going rather slow ,but hey ...
This is a hand-made High-End ,dedicated tattoo power supply !
Not a mass-producted commercial p.o.s. !


Elias Elian.

A new "Special Edition" model on set .

I'm thinking of a new "Special Edition " model at the  €500-600 retail price tag.
Yes.
Quite expensive for a tattoo supply ,one might add or comment.
Indeed.
But it is going to be made just once.
A single piece.
For  just one ,single tattoo artist,that wishes the best ,
tattoo dedicated,
power supply/engine,
ever made uppon this planet.
And does not care about the cost ,of gettin' it.
With TOP quality electronic parts and last tech circuitry involved.

Some( preliminary ) specs ,I've in mind .
Starting from the "mains" plug ,all the way to the clipcord output :

- SCHAFFNER Swiss-made EMI  AC pre-filter.Part# FU 1447 . 3 Amperes Load.
Quite pricey choice ,in order to "clean up " the AC mains from wall plug .
But does a superb job.Along with ON/OFF  toggle switch and 3A resettable circuit breaker.

-MEANWELL SP-45-15 .
Top-notch quality Switching Mode Power Supply .
Output:45 Watts ,3.5 A, 15 Volts,
Best PSU in the world ,for the tattooing purposes.

-LM2576 Switching Mode Voltage Adjusting  Regulator (BUCK) circuit.
With Extra High Frequency Film,Ceramic & Tantalum Input And Output Capacitors.
 Output EMI/Ripple Filter Included,also.
Delivering and regulating all the power ,the tattoo machine needs.
With highest efficiency possible.

-Vishay-Spectrol 10K multiturn Precision Potentiometer.
For precise and stable voltage adjustment.

-Neutrik Swiss-made NJ3FPC Auto-Lock Feature Jack Sockets.
For both Clipcord and Footswitch.Top of the Top Quality.

And Some more :

-Industrial Steel/Aluminium combo case.

-Optical sensing circuitry ,for precise,noise-less, coil machine diagnosis.
Highest precision possible ,measuring of frequency and duty-cycle* for coil tattoo machines.
* (HIGH-STATE-coils charging-needle off the skin)

-3A Load 100% digital Pulse Width Modulation Control for rotary tattoo machines.
Duty adjustment range : 0-100 % ( 1% step )
Frequency Adjustment : 3 presets  ( 100 Hz - 1 Khz -10 Khz ) ,via switch.

-Backlit LCD graphical Display (Monochrome ,84x48 ).
4 different screen modes ( two for Coil operation and two for Rotary operation).

-Arduino Uno Rev 3 microcontroller .

Everything into a case .

Towards completion.

Front Case Mount :

- OUTPUT VOLTAGE Adjustment 10 turn Precision Pot.

- MCU RESET Button Switch (RED).

- OPERATIONAL MODE Toggle Switch.
(Operational Modes : Continuous DC Voltage Output - PWM DC Voltage Output )

-SCREEN MODE Button Switch (BLACK).
(For cycling through different  operational mode 'states' :
Continuous DC Voltage Output: 1) DC VOLT 2) Diagnostics 3) Single pulse plot
PWM DC Voltage Output : 1) PWM VOLT/FREQUENCY/MARK/SPACE 2) Single pulse plot )

- FREQUENCY SET single turn Pot ( @ PWM DC Voltage Output Mode ).

- PULSE WIDTH (DUTY-CYCLE) SET single turn Pot ( @ PWM DC Voltage Output Mode ).

Rotary Tattoo Machine PWM Digital Controller.

-No need for microcontroller.
-No need for special modificated power supply.
-Very cheap to make ( < 10 € ) !
-Stable operation.
-Up to 3 A current.

Two ICs " LM 555 " timers can be used or a single " dual timer " IC ,the LM556.

Pin Layouts:

 

 Timing  :
Frequency : 1.44  /  ( R1_FREQ +2(R2_FREQ+POT_FREQ))  x  C_FREQ
Pulse width : 1.1  x ( 1 + POT_DUTY ) X C_DUTY

RESISTANCE IN OHMS ,CAPACITANCE IN FARADS.

For more info  :  http://electronicsclub.info/555timer.htm

http://www.bowdenshobbycircuits.info/555.htm

Day's small treat.

A simple ,yet very useful ,12 Volt Regulated Power Supply.
Max Supply Current : ~ 1 A .
In case of  +5 Volts output ,replace the  L7812CV with a L7805CV.

Coil Operation Frequency and Duty Cycle sensing.

Assuming that the footswitch is continuously pressed down,that leads to the fact
that there's going to be a stable (ideally) voltage dynamic difference between both ends of clipcord.

Simply put ,as long the footswitch is pressed ,
there's always voltage at the clipcord,
thus also at the binding posts of a tattoo machine ,
where the clipcord is attached to .
There's is not a "switching on & off  state",
 of the tattoo coil  machine that can be measured along the clipcord ends.

When the contact screw is in contact with front spring,
el. current flows through the coils, producing a magnetic field around them.
When the coils charge and pull the armature bar downwards,
it's contact with the contact screw open, interrupting current through the coils
and causing the magnetic field to rapidly collapse.

Because the voltage induced in a coil of wire is directly proportional to the rate of change over time of magnetic flux (Faraday's Law: e = NdΦ/dt), this rapid collapse of magnetism around the coil produces a high voltage “spike”.The contacts (contact screw & front spring ),will get excessive arcing at them,  which  greatly reduces their service life.

Either a "surge capacitor " or a " commutating diode " ,
has to be tied parallel to contacts ,to mediate this phenomenon.


In order for the operational frequency and duty cycle to be measured,
a sensing device or mechanism must be " tied " ( connected ) at the very same place ,
where the actual mechanical switching of the coils  is taking place .
At the front spring's  "contact screw " .

There are other ways to sense operational variables ,also.

Like by  measuring the characteristics of the 'kickback' current spikes, 

induced by the collapsing magnetic field of coils , 

when front spring loses contact with the "contact screw ' . 

But while from spike to spike is a full cycle ,making frequency measuring  

quite precise ,measuring the actual duty cycle time duration might prove somewhat  

relative and prone to alterations from various interferences ,

that could cause enough declinations / fluctuations, between measured and actual values.

So this method was avoided,although  being more "convenient" as it does not need an external extra sensor wire,but offers rather reduced  Duty Cycle measurement  precision,also .

Another way is measuring the power line current fluctuctions.
But in that method also,measurements with serious declinations from actual values  ,
may be obtained, mainly due to the fact that charging of coils is not linear,
thus monitoring precisely the current running through power lines ,
might prove quite tricky to translate onto precise Frequency and Duty Cycle figures. 
Moreover a more complex & sensitive sensoring circuitry, of rather higher cost is needed (Hall effect sensoring ).
While still being somewhat  prone to any kind of E/M interference.

Contact screw sensor circuitry :

When the Front Spring contacts the Contact Screw:

Coils are charging.The "HIGH"  duration  depends mostly on the
deflection caused by the rear / back spring.

The higher deflection  of the back spring ,
the longer the front spring will remain in contact with the contact screw.
The longer the coils will charge.
The higher the velocity  with which , the needles will pop in  & out of the skin.
Needle stays off the skin most of the time of a cycle,while popping in and out ,quite 'clean' (with high velocity).

The opposite happens with low back spring  deflection.
Needle will stay longer inside skin ,penetrating it with " dull " punctures of low velocity .
Excessive bleeding might occur,especially with a 'fast working hand '.
Healing times are quite  prolonged.

While coils are charging ,no current runs through the sensor wire .
(Due to sensor's high input impedance and coil's large current draw ).
Sensor 'reads' a "LOW" signal,when actually the machine state is "HIGH" ( coils charging).

When the Front Spring loses  contact with  the Contact Screw:
Magnetic field is collapsing.
A brief (rapid) current spike 'kicks back", onto the power lines.
Some of the spike kickback current  gets" absorbed " by the tattoo machine capacitor.

( Which in turn, will discharge keeping the coils "active" ,
thus holding  the armature bar briefly "stuck" with the front coil's core.
The bigger the capacitor ,the longer the armature bar will stay -briefly- "stuck" at the front coil's core).

Since the footswitch is still pressed down,and there's voltage at the clipcord ends ,
but there's no closed-circuit charging the coils ,at this point a current flows along the sensor line.
Meaning that while the machine state is "LOW" ,the sensor reads "HIGH".


So ,there's an OPTICAL COUPLING LOGIC GATE  INVERTER
  circuit involved ,in order  to invert the sensor's input signal [ Rxi ]* ,
 for  it's output signal [Txo]**  to match the state of the tattoo machine,
while optically (and not electrically ) "coupling " the received signals,
with the transmitted- and inverted-  output signals,
 going into the microcontroller's dedicated input.
Ensuring 100%  noiseless signal  transmission and precise measurements.

Turn- On & Turn-Off delays of the  
OPTICAL COUPLING LOGIC GATE INVERTER Circuitry,
have been  taken into consideration also ,while calculating HIGH/LOW values.
Even if they are falling in the range of just a few millionths of a second!
In order to achieve as higher level of  measurement precision,as possible .

*Rxi: ' Receive signal  (x=1 or 0 - high or low ) input '
**Txo : ' Transmit signal (x=1 or 0  - high or low ) output '

Under Development.

Lunatron Advanced Tattoo Engine is still under development.

In fact ,we are just putting the finishing "touches" to it .

Lunatron Advanced Tattoo Engine,is more than just a dedicated Tattoo Power Supply Unit
( PSU ) .

Yes,we gave a great deal of effort to ensure as stable output voltage as possible.

There's a lot of 'strict' regulating , electromagnetic interference ( EMI ) filtering and precise

 adjusting of output voltage,going on there,inside our little but wondrous 'engine '.

As also,there is plenty of circuity protection from "kickback" currents ,induced by collapsing

magnetic fields of coils or electric motors.
Smooth ,trouble-free operation.

But ...

That was not enough !

So ,we took under serious consideration  the quality of utilised parts .

Only of Highest Quality branded Intergrated Circuits ( ICs) are used in the manufacture .

As for the rest of parts ,the same 'rule' applies ,also.

Only,highest quality ,is acceptable.

...

Still,that was not enough !

Again,we utilised a  Microcontroller Central Unit  ( MCU ) circuitry ,

in order to make Lunatron ATE a really powerful tattoo machine dedicated 'engine' .

Tattoo artists,that are using electromagnetic coil  machines ,will find the

"Diagnostics" modes ,pretty useful,as they can monitor the exact

operating Voltage -Frequency and Duty Cycle.

Changing the values of Rear/Front  spring's tension ,capacitor,gap,etc while monitoring

the operation real-time ,makes the calibrating of a coil tattoo machine at

least way easier than before ...

( If not interesting and joyful ! )

....

We also added a Pulse Width Modulated Output Voltage function,

for the absolute control of rotary el.motor tattoo machines.

Trying to set the speed on a rotary machine by adjusting it's input voltage,

results in  a really "narrow dimming window" (speed range )

and

Power (needle velocity ) drops along with frequency of punctures (motor speed ).

By sending pulses of the suggested motor's operational Voltage (9-15 Volts usually),

at certain frequency and with certain pulse duration ( Width ) ,

the tattoo artist can  precisely control the speed of motor ( RPM ) ,

without 'sacrificing' or altering any of the needle's puncture power.

Various large needle sets can pop in and out  the skin at high velocity ,even if the motor 

works at reduced rpm .

Packing watery or extra-thick 'lathery' colors ?

Extra Smooth Shading ?
Or is it a
Bloodline contourless ,multi-layer ,blend-in-skin work ?
...
Whatever it will be  and needs low speed( less needle 'hits'/sec) but  high needle velocity ,
at the same time ...

Now it is possible without the pain,blood and long healing times ,caused by 'dull' 

needle punctures of a slow-speed-set rotary tattoo machine!
All the above enclosed in a single unit !

Simply Awesome!
 

Ok....

Some final touches left ,there !

Mode: PWM DC Output (Single Pulse Plot ).

Mode: PWM DC Output (Single Pulse Plot ).
 For Absolute Control of  Electric Motor Rotary Tattoo  Machines.

-Real-Time Single Pulse Plot . 
 -Voltage Output Range : 1.25 - 15.5 Volts DC.
- Frequency Set Range: 100 - 20000 Hz .( up to 1 Mhz capability on request.)
- Duty Cycle ( Mark )  Set Range: 10%-100 %

Mode: PWM DC Output (Basic).

Mode: PWM DC Output (Basic).
 For Absolute Control of  Electric Motor Rotary Tattoo  Machines.

-Voltage Output Range : 1.25 - 15.5 Volts DC.
- Frequency Set Range: 100 - 20000 Hz .( up to 1 MHz capability on request.)
- Duty Cycle ( Mark )  Set Range: 10%-100 %

Mode:Coil Machine Diagnostics(SinglePulsePlot).

Mode:Coil Machine Diagnostics(SinglePulsePlot).

*Sensor Crocodile Clip must be attached on top of contact screw.
**Machine fully operationally loaded with needle ,tube and rubber loop.
***Polarity of  clipcord has to be as follows: tattoo machine case  is  tied to Ground .Bottom binding post is V+.

 -Real-Time Single Pulse Square Wave Plot.
- Measured Frequency ( in Hz ) & Duty Cycle ( in  % ).
- Measured HIGH ( Coils Charging ) & LOW( Needle moving ) times in microseconds
(Millionths of a second ) . 

Mode:Coil Machine Diagnostics(Basic)

Mode:Coil Machine Diagnostics(Basic).

*Sensor Crocodile Clip must be attached on top of contact screw.
**Machine fully operationally loaded with needle ,tube and rubber loop.
***Polarity of  clipcord has to be as follows: tattoo machine case  is  tied to Ground .
Bottom binding post is V+.

- Measured Frequency ( in Hz )
- Frequency Bar-Graph  with Range: 60-160 Hz
- Measured Duty Cycle ( in  % ).Duty is the time,  when coils are charging.Needle is off the skin.
- Frequency Bar-Graph  with Range: 0-100 %  
 - Measured HIGH ( Coils Charging ) & LOW( Needle moving ) times in milliseconds
(Thousands of a  second ) .

Mode:Constant Voltage.

On Screen Display.Mode :Constant Voltage.

- 1-15 Volt Bar Graph .
- Oversized Voltage Figures.(Second Decimal Point.) 

Basic Control Layout Of Lunatron Advanced Tattoo Engine.

Basic Human Interface controls are :

Front Case Mount :

- OUTPUT VOLTAGE Adjustment 10 turn Precision Pot.

- MCU RESET Button Switch (RED).

- OPERATIONAL MODE Toggle Switch.
(Operational Modes : Continuous DC Voltage Output - PWM DC Voltage Output )

-SCREEN MODE Button Switch (BLACK).
(For cycling through different  operational mode 'states' :
Continuous DC Voltage Output: 1) DC VOLT 2) Diagnostics 3) Single pulse plot
PWM DC Voltage Output : 1) PWM VOLT/FREQUENCY/MARK/SPACE 2) Single pulse plot )

- FREQUENCY SET single turn Pot ( @ PWM DC Voltage Output Mode ).

- PULSE WIDTH (DUTY-CYCLE) SET single turn Pot ( @ PWM DC Voltage Output Mode ).

Rear Case Panel Mount :

-ON/OFF Toggle Switch.

-3A CIRCUIT BREAKER RESET Push-Button Switch.

Lunatron Designs Advanced Tattoo Engine.

 The High-End Side of Tattooing Electronics.
Coming Soon...

General Specifications :

- Output Voltage Range  :  1.25 - 15.5 Volts DC ( Continuous or Pulse Width Modulated).
- Max. Output Current :  3 A.
- Core Power Supply Unit : MeanWell PS-45-15.
- EMI AC Pre-Filter :  Yes, 3A max.
- Button Resettable Fuse :  Yes,3A max ( Tyce Electronics W28 Series ).
- Voltage Adj. Potentiometer:  Vishay-Spectrol 10 turn Precision WW  Potentiometer (Tol: +/- 5% )
- Clipcord & Footswitch Case Jack Sockets: Swiss Made Auto-Lock Neutrik NJ3CFP6.
- Graphic LCD Display :  Nokia , Monochrome ,84 x 48 ,lit by 4x white leds .
- MCU :  8-BIT Atmel ATmega328, @ 16 MHz.

Other Special Features :

-Pulse Width Modulated Voltage Output Mode.
For  absolute speed &  puncture power ( needle velocity ) control of rotary el.motor tattoo machines .

Frequency Adjustment  Set Range (via Linear Potentionmeter) :  Default is set to 100-20000 Hz .
Can be set on request from 1 Hz up to 1 MHz (1x 10^6 Hz ).

Duty Cycle  Adjustment Set  Range (via Linear Potentionmeter) : 10-100%

On-screen,real-time, graphical plot representation  of  (single) pulse .

-Coil Tattoo Machine Diagnostics Mode .
Attach the provided sensor croc-clip at the contact screw ,press the footswitch
and monitor in detail crucial operating variables , such as frequency & duty cycle and
stroke/charge times in microseconds-millionths of seconds-.
There is also a real-time graph plot of  a single pulse.
Adjust and calibrate your tattoo machine in the most precise way possible.
100% Noiseless Sensing. Sample Rate: 100 Hz

-High quality switching,regulated and filtered output voltage.
Ensuring  ' smooth 'operation of tattoo machines .
No spikes ,no harmonics,no interference,coils & motors do not heat-up ,
constant and 'strict to settings ' needle movement ,with minimised operational abnormalities.
Unit's circuits involved , are protected from magnetic-field collapse
induced ,'kickback' current of coils or motors with special circuitry.
Voltage Sensor Sampling  Rate: 50 Hz*
*(Most of ordinary ,low-priced ,Voltmeters/Polymeters work at a sample rate of 4-10 Hz .)