ClayCast is a modular wireless control system for clay pigeon shooting ranges.
It enables field centralized game management via a touchscreen HMI device, which controls up to 10 clay thrower machines through a wireless Modbus RTU network.
Communication is handled by controller node that act as wireless relays to client devices attached to each clay thrower.
- Modular, multi-device architecture: HMI (master), Controller (relay), and Client (thrower control)
- Game management interface via 7-inch touchscreen HMI
- Enable/Disable machines (up to 10)
- Pre-configure next game (max throw, double, triple)
- Monitor clay disk levels with low-ammo alarms
- Game screen
- Summary screen
- Wireless Modbus RTU bridging over HC12 (~433MHz)
- Up to 255 clients per controller (practically limited to fewer)
- Reliable full-frame encapsulation (no packet fragmentation)
- Low-latency protocol using UART and lightweight firmware
- Built with Arduino framework, Atmega328p, ESP32, and HC12 modules
- Open and customizable — easy to extend or adapt for other range configurations
ClayCast consists of three main components:
- Acts as the Modbus RTU Master
- Human-Machine Interface with touchscreen
- Controls up to 10 clay thrower machines
- Manages and runs the preconfigured game
- Monitors ammo levels and triggers alarms if low
- Central command and monitoring unit for the entire system
More about here
- Acts as a wireless Modbus RTU bridge
- Receives Modbus requests from a master device via UART (RS485)
- Encapsulates and broadcasts packets wirelessly to clients
- Receives wireless responses, decapsulates, and forwards them to the master
More about here
- Identified by a unique Modbus slave address
- Controls an individual clay thrower machine
- Listens for Modbus requests, executes commands (e.g., fire), and returns status
- Response-only device; never initiates communication
More about here
- HMI sends Modbus RTU request to Controller via UART (RS485).
- Controller encapsulates and transmits over HC12 radio.
- Target Client receives, executes, and responds.
- Controller decapsulates and returns response to HMI.
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HMI Device:
- Kinco HMI GL070E
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Controller:
- Arduino (Atmega328p)
- HC12 radio module
- RS485 interface to HMI (Modbus master)
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Client:
- Arduino (Atmega328p)
- HC12 radio module
- Clay thrower trigger mechanism (relay, microswitch, etc.)
Clients implement:
- Trigger register – Fire the clay thrower
- Status registers – Report state, diagnostics, or ammo level
🛠️ Currently Under Development — Working Prototype Deployed in Test Field
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✅ Prototype Hardware Evaluation
Initial testing and validation of temporary hardware components. -
✅ Firmware Architecture Design
Core structure and logic for both controller and client firmware defined and implemented. -
✅ Interim Hardware Integration
Temporary hardware assembled and tested for early firmware and communication debugging. -
✅ Wireless Communication Tester
Radio signal testing module completed to assess transmission range and reliability. -
🔧 Final Hardware Assembly (In Progress)
Development and deployment of production-ready, dedicated hardware. -
🚀 Human-Machine Interface (HMI) (In Testing)
- Game customizability, fire control, data logging
- Ammo monitoring with alarms
- Controls up to 10 clay throwers
Create a Modbus RTU bridge over the air with 2 or more Controllers. However, radio medium usage is not controlled, so it is easy to cause interference. Incidentally it does not include any error detection and/or correction, leaving everything to the application layer protocol. Not ready for any production usage.
This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.
Made with ❤️ by Aranyalma2
This is a self-maintained project. Feel free to use, fork, or modify it. Feedback and suggestions are always welcome!