accelstepper library-listing steppers in an array?

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Software Syntax & Programs
1

I'm working to replace some code from a stepper project so that I can include and use the accelStepper library. I have zero experience with using libraries (I'm a newb). Currently the code I am using manually steps a motor using code something like below:

void moveHand(int hand, int steps)
{
  int i = 0;
  
  for (i=0; i<steps); i++)
  {
    digitalWrite(stepPin[hand], LOW);         // Start out with step pin low
    delayMicroseconds(300);                   // Delay controls speed and Torque I originally had these at 100 that was too short
    digitalWrite(stepPin[hand], HIGH);        // Now switch it high
    delayMicroseconds(300);                   // Delay controls speed and Torque you need at least a 500 delay
  }
}

You can see that the value for stepPin is stored in an array and elsewhere in the program this is what determines which motor moves ("hand" is used because the project involves moving hands on a clock face). I'm wondering how to handle this using the accelStepper library. I'll have three steppers, Stepper1, Stepper2, and Stepper3. I'd like to do something like store the stepper names in an array, but I don't think that's possible. I've only used arrays that hold ints, and I'm not sure an array can hold a value like this. For example:

stepper[] = {stepper1, stepper2, stepper3}

stepper[hand].moveTo(24);

I hope this makes sense to someone. I'm unfortunately away on business right now and can't experiment with my arduino for a few days, but I'm hoping to get some of the coding done before I get home. Thanks for any ideas!

2

You can create arrays of objects just like you create arrays of ints. You use them the same way, too.

3

PaulS, Thanks for chiming in!

I apologize for needing to ask, but could you clarify a little for me? Do you mean that I can do exactly what I've proposed? Where can I look to see what the proper syntax for something like that would be? When I've declared an array in my sketches I've do so like this:

int stepPin[] = {3, 5, 7};
int dirPin[] = {4, 6, 8};

...specifying 'int' before the array. Maybe that's not even necessary? I think I just picked it up in another sketch and ran with it. If I DO need to specify what the array holds, what does One use for an array of objects? Again, I apologize for my ignorance.

4

Maybe that's not even necessary?

It is. The type declaration says that this is an array of objects of type whatever.

what does One use for an array of objects?

Whatever the type of the object is.

Stepper ankle;
Stepper knee;
Stepper elbow;
Stepper joints[] = {ankle, knee, elbow};
5

Ahhh... Now I think I understand! Thank you very much for your assistance, I'll try to let you know how I make out =)