So basically, I've been tasked with writing a code on Arduino for an Arduino Uno to drive three motors. The motors need to be able to move at various speeds and simultaneously or separately depending on what the user wants. Ultimately the numbers are going to be edited by the intended user but I need to write the code for them.
I'm new to Arduino software and am really not sure where to start. Would anyone be able to point me in the write direction?
Thanks
Are the motors each going in a single direction or do you have to control direction as well as speed?
What voltage and current do the motors require.
Yup, control 3 H-bridges with PWM for speed, an enable pin, and 1 or 2 direction lines/motor.
JohnW has the key question - how big are the motors?
The motors need to be able to reverse. With regards to the size of the motors, I'm not too sure. They're product code is 'Stepper PPPOL1200' if that is of any use?
Ah, stepper - that is different.
There you need to be able to pulse current into generally 2 separate windings.
Links to drivers are at the bottom of the page
Thanks CrossRoads, would you be able to give me a starter on the code by any chance? I'm really not very good with this sort of stuff!
There you go!
Thanks guys, big help. Now the only other problem I am having is connecting the three steppers to the Arduino. I'm using three easy drivers on a breadboard to do so. The first and second motors I have connected to the ground and pins 9,8 and 7,6 respectively. With regards to the third motor how should I connect it to the third easy driver? As the two ground ports are taken.
If you are just worried about an additional ground port, all you really need to do is just assign one of the rails on your bread board (one of the long line of holes that are perpendicular to the majority of your holes on a bread board) to be a ground, and then you only need to run one ground wire from the Arduino to the bread board (Going to this rail), and then connect every other ground connection to this rail. "Grounds" or Commons are all at the same potential, and act as a reference point, usually earth ground, and it is generally necessary to connect them all together somehow. I am simplifying this immensely as I'm sure there are PhD papers on proper grounding, but that is basic, but at the relatively low frequencies that I believe you will be using, you should be fine. So as a worst case, you can connect it to one of the other ground pins on your breadboard.