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[on:]

Hi guys!

I've been reading a lot and just ordered my arduino uno kit + 5v stepper motor + ULN2003
I have a background in mechanical engineering but not so much in electrical, what I want to accomplish is a mount for a camera that will spin around its axis on different speeds with emphasize on low speeds (such as 180 degrees in 6 hours) and i have a couple of questions:

1. Could anyone hook me up with detailed pictures on how to hook up the setup on a breadboard?
2. Could I use a 12v battery connected to the ULN2003 to power the motor?
3. What I need programming wise is to control the speed which I guess is the delay between each micro step? Could I still capture a fluent video over a long time lapse even though the motion is not continues and stops with a certain delay at each step? I was thinking that I should connect the motor with a timing belt to a larger gear so that I could achieve low speed with smaller delay time to achieve smoothness, what do you guys think?
4. Any code template that fits my description + processing that I can start with and make my own?

5. Perhaps I should take the approach of connecting my dslr camera to the arduino and take a pic every certain amount of time while the motor moves the rotating platform? If so, could you direct me to a similar project which explains the components needed, schemes and stuff to accomplish?

Thank you guys very much !
Great forum !  

Sharon

[Reply #1 on:]

1. Could anyone hook me up with detailed pictures on how to hook up the setup on a breadboard?
http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/MotorKnob
Your setup may vary depending on the type of the stepper.

2. Could I use a 12v battery connected to the ULN2003 to power the motor?
I wouldn't, considering the fact that you said it's 5V rated motor.

3. What I need programming wise is to control the speed which I guess is the delay between each micro step? Could I still capture a fluent video over a long time lapse even though the motion is not continues and stops with a certain delay at each step? I was thinking that I should connect the motor with a timing belt to a larger gear so that I could achieve low speed with smaller delay time to achieve smoothness, what do you guys think?
A stepper library is a good start. Gear reduction is always good for more precise control. You will lose maximum speed though.

4. Any code template that fits my description + processing that I can start with and make my own?
See the link above.

5. Perhaps I should take the approach of connecting my dslr camera to the arduino and take a pic every certain amount of time while the motor moves the rotating platform? If so, could you direct me to a similar project which explains the components needed, schemes and stuff to accomplish?
Depending on your camera one or two optocouplers or reed switches can trigger a DSLR.
https://www.google.hr/search?client=opera&q=arduino+dslr&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&channel=suggest

[Reply #2 on:]

http://arduino.cc/forum/index.php/topic,89159.30.html
http://arduino.cc/forum/index.php/topic,85335.45.html

I have done much work with Steppers and Canon and Magic Lantern.  It is trivial to trigger the shutter or start video recording.  You can use a 12v supply with a 5v motor, in fact it is preferred.  So long as you turn off the power between steps to keep it cool.  More questions?

Check out my Stepper Library.

[Reply #3 on:]

So long as you turn off the power between steps to keep it cool.

and that you are not using micro stepping as that gets screwed when you remove the power.

[Reply #4 on:]

Micro stepping is usually not needed with a 64:1 gear ratio.

[Reply #5 on:]

Hi sbright33, very interesting work you did there but i'm having a bit of trouble to follow the code + where can i see the schematics of the circuit (preferably a picture of how it actually looks instead of schematics)?

How can I use your work to accomplish my needs of controlling the rotation speed of the motor to spin y degrees in x minutes, cutting off the power between steps to cool down?

Thanks!

[Reply #6 on:]

I have posted a schematic in another thread where you asked.  It's as simple as calling this function in my code.  All you have to do is calculate the speed in RPH using y and x.  Need help?

void degrpmslowCool(boolean bcw, long deg100, int rph100)