If you have previously purchased the MECControl software, you can download the new version from the order summary after logging into your account. There is no need to update your Arduino/Genuino Uno/Mega firmware.

There is also a refinement of the Run command — if you use a speed variable with it and the variable contains a negative value, this will now cause the direction of the motor to be inverted.

If you have previously purchased the MECControl software, you can download the new version from the order summary after logging into your account. There is no need to update your Arduino/Genuino Uno/Mega firmware.

Philip Drew has built an automated warehouse pallet stacking crane:

Pete Evans has built a model of an Hitachi 650 backhoe excavator:

You can watch both videos on our Videos page or via our YouTube channel.

If you have previously purchased the software, you can download the new version from the order summary after logging into your account. There is no need to update your Arduino/Genuino Uno/Mega firmware.

The arm uses three Meccanoid servos to provide hand, elbow and shoulder motions, controlled via an Arduino Uno and the MECControl software. A motor, controlled via the Arduino Uno and an L298 H Bridge module, allows the whole arm to rotate, with positional feedback given by a potentiometer.

Philip has built on his previous MECControl experiment (see our previous Spotlight) to create a crane controlled from his laptop via keyboard commands. The operator simply enters a letter and a number and the crane moves to the corresponding row and column. Further keyboard commands allow the arm to be raised and lowered, and the grab to be opened and closed. The current status of the crane is displayed on the laptop screen.

The crane uses four motors, three potentiometers and one microswitch, controlled via an Arduino Uno and two L298 H Bridge modules, both of which are available to buy from the MECControl shop along with the MECControl software.

The show is on from 10am to 5pm each day at the Embassy Theatre on the Grand Parade — find out more here: https://embassytheatre.co.uk/shows/international-meccano-model-show.

Hope to see you there!

So MECControl now supports the Arduino/Genuino Mega, the Uno’s big brother, giving you 52 digital pins and 16 analogue pins to play with! Even better, 15 of the digital pins can used for controlling motor speed or LED fading.

When using an Arduino/Genuino Mega with MECControl, make sure that you place the Board command somewhere in your sequence, otherwise MECControl will assume that you are using an Arduino/Genuino Uno.

If you have previously purchased the software, you can download the new version from the order summary after logging into your account.

Because there are some changes to the MECControl firmware too, you will also need to download and install firmware version 1.3.0 on your Arduino/Genuino Mega.

• If you only using an Arduino/Genuino Uno with MECControl, there is no need to download the new version or update the firmware at this time, as no other changes have been made to the software or firmware.

If you have any questions, please let me know!

• Stop now restores the display window if it is maximised and located on the same monitor as the main window.
• Pressing F11 now maximises and restores the display window.
• Improved display window performance.
• Added the ability to press CTRL + - to comment out selected lines.

If you have previously purchased the software, you can download the new version from the order summary after logging into your account. There is no need to update your Arduino/Genuino Uno firmware.

To find out more, take a look at ‘Using the display window’ here and check out these new commands:

• Clear — clears the whole display window, or specific shapes or text displayed on it.
• Draw — draws lines, circles, rectangles and squares.
• Use — allows you to change the appearance of shapes and text.
• Write — writes text, numbers stored in variables, or any combination of the two.

If you have previously purchased the software, you can download the new version from the order summary after logging into your account. There is no need to update your Arduino/Genuino Uno firmware.

If you have any questions, please let me know!

You can test for most of the keys on the keyboard — there’s a list on the Jump help page, plus an example sequence. The Wait help page has been updated too.

If you have previously purchased the software, you can download the new version from the order summary after logging into your account. There is no need to update your Arduino/Genuino Uno firmware.

Philip’s crane has two motors providing slew and jib raise/lower motions, with positional feedback provided by two potentiometers. Meccano parts can be picked up using an electromagnet. Everything is controlled from a laptop running a MECControl sequence.

The electronic parts include a compatible Arduino Uno connected to the laptop and two L298 H bridge modules which control the motors and electromagnet.

• Have you built something great with MECControl that could feature in a future Project Spotlight? Please get in touch.

If you have previously purchased the software, you can download the new version from the order summary after logging into your account. There is no need to update your Arduino/Genuino Uno firmware.

Support for motors has also been improved — if your H Bridge circuit only requires Enable and Direction inputs, you can now specify just two pins in the Connect command.

If you have previously purchased the software, you can download the new version from the order summary after logging into your account. There is no need to update your Arduino/Genuino Uno firmware.

The first five videos cover installing the firmware and software, provide a quick tour of the software, and show how LEDs of different types can be connected.

You can watch them here or via the MECControl YouTube account.

In version 1.1.1 of the software, you can now move Meccanoid Servo Motors smoothly over a given period of time using the Move command, and I’ve added some new colour names for you to use with full-colour LEDs. There have been a few other improvements too.

If you have previously purchased the software or the Starter Pack, you can download the new version from the order summary after logging into your account.

Because there are some changes to the MECControl firmware too, you will also need to download and install firmware version 1.2.0 on your Arduino/Genuino Uno.

If you have any questions, please let me know!

The pack contains the MECControl software, an Arduino/Genuino-compatible Uno R3 board with the MECControl firmware pre-installed, buttons, microswitches, a full-colour LED, jumper wires and an L298 H Bridge module for motor control.

Take a look here.

Alternatively, if you already own an Arduino/Genuino Uno, you can download the free MECControl firmware and then purchase the MECControl software separately from our shop for £3.99, which includes free updates for one year.

If you have any questions, please let me know!

If you have previously purchased the software, you can download the new version from the order summary after logging into your account.

Because there are some changes to the MECControl firmware too, you will also need to download and install firmware version 1.1.0 on your Arduino/Genuino Uno.

If you need any help, or have built something great using MECControl, do let me know!

With them you can use an intuitive language to control devices connected to your Arduino/Genuino Uno from your Windows PC. You can currently control buttons, LEDs, Meccanoid devices, motors, potentiometers and switches, but I intend MECControl to support more devices as development continues. You will be able to download free software updates for one year from date of purchase that may include support for new devices.

• Download the free MECControl firmware for your Arduino/Genuino Uno.
• Buy the MECControl software for your Windows PC for £3.99 (includes free software updates for one year).
• Take a look at our range of electronic components that you can use with MECControl. Each one comes pre-wired with leads so that you can start using it right away. Just plug it into your Arduino/Genuino Uno — no soldering required!
• Learn how it all works in our Help section.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!