Hello all. First post here and new to the arduino. So excuse me if I don't use correct terminology, etc.
I'm in the planing stage of a project where I need a stepper motor (with a controllerboard) to rotate a shaft. The motor will be attached to the end of the shaft. And that shaft can only turn from approximately 8 o'clock to 4 o'clock.
Now, the scenario is like this. At a specific time, the arduino will have the motor rotate from 8 to 4, or vice versa depending on which side it's starting from. And then shut off. At the next specified time it rotates the other way and shuts off.
What would be the best method for the system to know where the motor is positioned and which way to rotate? And it would be beneficial to be able to stop the motor just before the shaft hits it's physical stop to avoid over-torquing it.
I'm thinking two contact switches with a single arm that rotates with the motor. When it makes contact with one side it stops. And when it's time to start up again the arduino could read which is closed and go the other way.
Thoughts? Suggestions on a better method? I'll take any and all advice you can give me.
Thanks!
Dave