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[on:]

Hello,

First, I will explain what I am using to interface with my Arduino Mega 2560. I am using at the time, two NEMA 23 bipolar stepper motors, a spark fun quadstepper motor controller, two DFROBOT crash sensors, as well as one DFROBOT mag sensor (proximity switch). I am currently powering my quadstepper with a 12V DC power supply. The first link below, is what I purchased as my first attempt. It is basically a CNC router setup. I had it working, but needed a PC to control it and Mach3 CNC software. What I am looking for is a standalone device. This led me in the direction of the Arduino. I am still currently using the same power supply and the same NEMA 23 stepper motors.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Ship-Free-Ship-US-4Axis-Nema-23-Stepper-Motor-290oz-in-Driver-CNC-Kit-/280912796022?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4167b51976
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10507
http://www.dfrobot.com/wiki/index.php/Crash_Sensor_%28SKU:_SEN0138%29
http://www.dfrobot.com/wiki/index.php/Digital_magnetic_sensor_%28SKU:_DFR0033%29

I will try to explain in detail what it is I am trying to accomplish. I want my Arduino from the moment it awakes (from reset or powers down and powers up) to turn my stepper motor 1 CCW until it triggers my limit switch left (crash sensor). From that point I want motor 2 to rotate CCW until it sees my mag sensor (I call it a prox switch). It will do this continuously about 20 times. Every time it reads my prox switch, I would like it to delay for 5 minutes (just an example). Once it reaches the 20th I/O device for my prox switch. I want motor 1 to rotate CCW and perform the same action all in one loop. So, to wrap up, I want the first action with the limit switch to act at power up only (1 time). Then I want to bounce back and forth, 20 times each way, with a constant loop stopping in intervals. Basically the two limit switches are in place, only if my prox switch fails. When and If the Program doesn't see the prox switch as being open or closed, then motors (1 or 2) will rotate until they trigger the limits and stop indefinitely. I hope I have added enough info to further help.
Thank You,
U_R

[Reply #1 on:]

Sorry,
  I didn't post any code. I have been tinkering around with this code some. I can reset my Arduino and it rotates until I press limit switch (sensor left). When I release the switch it spins again, in the same direction. I am Uncertain what to do from here. I have tried while loop, if/else statements. I haven't tried switch case. It doesn't seem relevant to me. I do apologize, in my last post I mentioned motors 1 & 2. Here my code reads motors 2 & 4. Sorry for any confusion.
Thank You,
U_R

Code:

// include the motor library
#include <quadstep.h>

// create an instance of the class motor
quadstep motor2;
quadstep motor4;

// These constants won't change:
  const int switchPin1 = 3;       // pin that the limit switch is attached to for motor 2
  const int switchPin2 = 12;       // pin that the limit switch is attached to for motor 4
  const int magPin = 8;       // pin that the mag sensor is attached to for positioning
  const int enablePin = 7;       // pin that motor2 is attached to
 
  // These variables will change:
  int sensorLeft = 1;      // left sensor value
  int sensorRight = 1;     // right sensor value
  int sensorMag = 1;        // mag sensor value
  int sensorValue = 0;         // the sensor value

void setup() {
 
  // assign the pin connections for my motors
 
  motor2.set_enable_pin(7);
  motor2.set_direction_pin(6);
  motor2.set_step_pin(5);
  motor2.set_microstep_select_pins(A0,A1,A2);
   
  motor4.set_enable_pin(4);
  motor4.set_direction_pin(27);
  motor4.set_step_pin(11);
  motor4.set_microstep_select_pins(A0,A1,A2);
   
 // set the mag pin and the switch pins as inputs:
 
    pinMode (switchPin1, INPUT);
    pinMode (switchPin3, INPUT);
    pinMode (magPin2, INPUT);
    pinMode (enablePin, OUTPUT);
   
 
 }
 
 void loop()
 {
  if (digitalRead(switchPin1) == LOW) {     
  digitalWrite(enablePin, LOW);           
  }
  // step motor 2 for -2000 increments CCW
 
   else if (digitalRead(switchPin1) == HIGH) {    // check if the input is HIGH
    motor2.go(FULL,-2000,10);                     // turn motor2 CCW
   } 
    else {
    digitalWrite(magPin, HIGH);             // check if magPin is ON
    motor4.go(FULL,-2000,10);            // turn motor 4 CCW
    motor4.stall();                   //Stop motor 4           
    delay(1500);                    //delay(1500)
  }
 }
 
 

[Reply #2 on:]

I want my Arduino from the moment it awakes (from reset or powers down and powers up) to turn my stepper motor 1 CCW until it triggers my limit switch left (crash sensor). From that point I want motor 2 to rotate CCW until it sees my mag sensor (I call it a prox switch). It will do this continuously about 20 times. Every time it reads my prox switch, I would like it to delay for 5 minutes (just an example). Once it reaches the 20th I/O device for my prox switch. I want motor 1 to rotate CCW and perform the same action all in one loop. So, to wrap up, I want the first action with the limit switch to act at power up only (1 time). Then I want to bounce back and forth, 20 times each way, with a constant loop stopping in intervals. Basically the two limit switches are in place, only if my prox switch fails. When and If the Program doesn't see the prox switch as being open or closed, then motors (1 or 2) will rotate until they trigger the limits and stop indefinitely. I hope I have added enough info to further help.

Can you clarify the bit in red? I'm not sure whether this is trying to recap what you wrote previously, or describing some additional actions you want to follow.

[Reply #3 on:]

Once it reaches the 20th I/O device for my prox switch. I want motor 1 to rotate CCW and perform the same action all in one loop.

I'm sorry, I do see your point. After motor 2, rotates CCW and reads the proximity switch 20 times, I want Motor 1 to rotate CCW and read the proximity switch 19 to 20 times. I do see where it seems I have 20  I/O devices. Sorry
 

[Reply #4 on:]

Hello,
  I will try to make my post more simple than before. I hope I am posting in the correct place. If not Please let me know...

(Run Once) from power off to power on state
1)Rotate motor 2 CCW continuously until
2)Trigger switch left (crash sensor)
3)Delay 3 sec

(Run Loop)
4)Rotate motor 4 CCW until
5)Trigger prox switch (magnetic sensor)
6)Delay 5 minutes
7)Repeat 4),5),& 6) 20 times
8)Rotate motor 2 CCW until
9)Trigger prox switch (magnetic sensor)
10)Delay 5 minutes
11)Repeat ,9),& 10) 20 times

(Fail Safety)
If either motor 2 or motor 4 is rotating when the prox switch (mag sensor) fails,
I would want motor 2 to rotate to switch left (crash sensor1) and delay indefinitely 
I would want motor 4 to rotate to switch right (crash sensor2) and delay indefinably

Thank You,
U_R

Here is some code I have been unsuccessful with.....
I am also going to leave a link to the quadstep.h library I am using from GitHub
https://github.com/johnjamesmiller/quadstep/commit/699e94e261a5fd950ca38ca5c2ecc28945b91b2c

Code:

#include <quadstep.h>

// create an instance of the class motor
quadstep motor2;
quadstep motor4;

// These constants won't change:
  const int switchPin1 = 3;       // pin that the limit switch is attached to for motor 2
  const int switchPin2 = 12;       // pin that the limit switch is attached to for motor 4
  const int magPin = 8;       // pin that the mag sensor is attached to for positioning
  const int enablePin = 7;       // pin that motor2 is attached to
   
 
  // These variables will change:
  int sensorLeft = 1;      // left sensor value
  int sensorRight = 1;     // right sensor value
  int sensorMag = 1;        // mag sensor value
  int sensorValue = 0;         // the sensor value
  int i = 90000;
  int j = 0;

void setup() {
 
  // assign the pin connections for my motors
 
  motor2.set_enable_pin(7);
  motor2.set_direction_pin(6);
  motor2.set_step_pin(5);
  motor2.set_microstep_select_pins(A0,A1,A2);
   
  motor4.set_enable_pin(4);
  motor4.set_direction_pin(27);
  motor4.set_step_pin(11);
  motor4.set_microstep_select_pins(A0,A1,A2);
   
 // set the mag pin and the switch pins as inputs:
 
    pinMode (switchPin1, INPUT);
    pinMode (switchPin2, INPUT);
    pinMode (magPin, INPUT);
    pinMode (enablePin, OUTPUT);
   
  // create at start up command procedure to run once
  // i was thinking I could run this from void set up to run once
   
   for (int i = 90000; i > 0; i--);                    // Amount of maximum space i can travel
   motor2.go(FULL, -i, 10);                        // Rotate motor 2 CCW from anywhere power is lost   
   if (digitalRead (switchPin1) == LOW); {     // When I trigger switch left it should read low
   delay (3000);                                      // Delay for 3 sec
   }                                                     // Here it will not exit void setup into void loop
  }   
 
 void loop() {

//at this point switch left will read low and mag pin will be high
//so it should skip the while statement and loop back to it when the statement is true at the end of code
//also I am testing only motor 2 in this sketch for simplicity at this time
 
 for (int x = 0; x < 20; x++);                         //repeat 20 times
 while (digitalRead (magPin) == LOW){           //read prox switch low when interrupted
 motor2.stall ();                                        //stop motor
 delay (300000);                                       //delay 5 min
 {
 for (int j = 0; j < 90000; j--);                     //amount of maximum space i can travel
 }
 for (int x = 20; x > 0; x--);                         //repeat 20 times
 if (digitalRead (magPin) == HIGH){               //prox switch pin is high until triggered
 motor2.go(FULL, -j, 10);                         //rotate motor CCW until prox switch is triggered
 }
 else {
 sensorValue = digitalRead (magPin);          //read current value of prox switch should be low
 delay (300000);                                    //delay for 5 minutes
   }
  }
 }

[Reply #5 on:]

11)Repeat smiley-cool,9),& 10) 20 times

Should read
11)Repeat ,9), & 10) 20 times.....
I don't know where the cool dude smiley came from
OOPS!

[Reply #6 on:]

11)Repeat 8,9,&10!!!!!!!!!

[Reply #7 on:]

Code:

  int i = 90000;

Yeah, right. Reading up on the range of values that can be stored in different types of variables would be a first step.

Code:

  motor2.set_microstep_select_pins(A0,A1,A2);
  motor4.set_microstep_select_pins(A0,A1,A2);

How can both motors use the same set of pins?

Code:

   for (int i = 90000; i > 0; i--);                    // Amount of maximum space i can travel

See comment above.

Code:

   if (digitalRead (switchPin1) == LOW); {     // When I trigger switch left it should read low

The ; at the end forms the body of the if statement. It's a noop (no operation/do nothing) statement. So, if the switch is pressed, do nothing. If the switch is not pressed, do nothing. What's the purpose of reading the switch state?

Code:

delay (300000);                                       //delay 5 min

Literal constants are treated as ints. 300000 is not a valid value for an int. You need UL on the end of the constant, to tell the compiler to treat the value as an unsigned long, instead.

I'm sure that there are other issues. This was as far as I read.

[Reply #8 on:]

Paul,
  I wish I had 1/16 of the knowledge you obtain. How about this for test purposes?

(edits)
1. I am only really using A1 & A2 for motors 2 & 4
2. I changed 300000 to 3000
3. i changed rotation from 90000 900

I don't mind criticism. Please read on, I really want to know what I am doing wrong.
My father once said told me. "If you don't learn something new every day, then you are wasting your time"
Thank You,
U_R 

As well sir, could you elaborate a little to what you mean here

What's the purpose of reading the switch state?

Code:

int i = 900;
int j = 0;

void setup() {
 
  // assign the pin connections for my motors
 
  motor2.set_microstep_select_pins(A1);
   
  motor4.set_microstep_select_pins(A2);
   
 // set the mag pin and the switch pins as inputs:
 
    pinMode (switchPin1, INPUT);
    pinMode (switchPin2, INPUT);
    pinMode (magPin, INPUT);
    pinMode (enablePin, OUTPUT);
   
  // create at start up command procedure to run once
  // i was thinking I could run this from void set up to run once
   
   for (int i = 900; i > 0; i--);                    // Amount of maximum space i can travel changed from 90000
   motor2.go(FULL, -i, 10);                        // Rotate motor 2 CCW from anywhere power is lost   
   if (digitalRead (switchPin1) == LOW) {  // When I trigger switch left it should read low removed semicolon
   delay (3000);                                      // Delay for 3 sec
   }                                                     // Here it will not exit void setup into void loop
  }   
 
 void loop() {

//at this point switch left will read low and mag pin will be high
//so it should skip the while statement and loop back to it when the statement is true at the end of code
//also I am testing only motor 2 in this sketch for simplicity at this time
 
 for (int x = 0; x < 20; x++);                         //repeat 20 times
 while (digitalRead (magPin) == LOW){           //read prox switch low when interrupted
 motor2.stall ();                                        //stop motor
 delay (3000);                                       //delay 5 min
 {
 for (int j = 0; j < 900; j--);                     //amount of maximum space i can travel
 }
 for (int x = 20; x > 0; x--);                         //repeat 20 times
 if (digitalRead (magPin) == HIGH){               //prox switch pin is high until triggered
 motor2.go(FULL, -j, 10);                         //rotate motor CCW until prox switch is triggered
 }
 else {
 sensorValue = digitalRead (magPin);          //read current value of prox switch should be low
 delay (3000);                                    //delay for 3 sec changed from 5 min
   }
  }
 }

[Reply #9 on:]

Code:

for (int x = 0; x < 20; x++);   

Maybe that semicolon could go to the semicolon retirement home.

[Reply #10 on:]

Code:

for (int x = 0; x < 20; x++);                         //repeat 20 times

Same problem as with the if statement. The ; forms the body of the for loop. Do nothing twenty times. That certainly won't take long. 

Code:

for (int j = 0; j < 900; j--);                     //amount of maximum space i can travel
  for (int x = 20; x > 0; x--);                         //repeat 20 times

Ditto.

Code:

{
 for (int j = 0; j < 900; j--);                     //amount of maximum space i can travel
 }

What are the curly braces for?

[Reply #11 on:]

Thanks Awol and Paul,
  It is like a bad case of colon cancer!

[Reply #12 on:]

It is like a bad case of colon cancer!

More like semicolon cancer.

[Reply #13 on:]

(Run Loop)

Code:

4)Rotate motor 4 CCW until
5)Trigger prox switch (magnetic sensor)
6)Delay 5 minutes
7)Repeat 4),5),& 6) 20 times

Is something else supposed to happen between 7 and 4? I thought you had previously stopped motor4 at the point where the proximity switch triggered; isn't motor4 still in the same position, hence the proximity switch still triggered?

[Reply #14 on:]

More like semicolon cancer.

Good one Paul!

Is something else supposed to happen between 7 and 4? I thought you had previously stopped motor4 at the point where the proximity switch triggered; isn't motor4 still in the same position, hence the proximity switch still triggered?

Peter,
Yes, motor 4 will take it there to the prox switch. From that point motor 2 will take over and move the opposite direction. In fact, if motor 4 moves to the prox switch the first time then repeats 20 times. That would be 21 delays. When motor 2 takes over and moves it would actually be 1 move that repeats 19 delays, because motor 2 starts where motor 4 left off. If this is what you meant with the question, then you are correct....
Thank You
U_R