Controlling Multiple NEMA 17 Stepper Motor with Arduino

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

Hi Community,

I have controlled NEMA 17 Stepper Motor with A4988 Stepper Driver Module successfully.

Now I want to control 3X3 matrix of NEMA 17 Stepper Motor(9 Motors) which can work as an individual pixel. I want to control each pixel at different speeds and different angles.

As I know A4988 Stepper Driver can control only single motor. For controlling 9 motors, Do I need to use 9 qty A4988 Stepper Driver?

Or any alternative stepper driver is available which can control 4/6/8 motors at a time?

Can anyone please suggest me best way for my requirement?

2

I am not aware of any stepper driver that can control two or more motors independently.

If you have enough I/O pins and if the total step-rate (maximum steps per second with all motors combined) is within the capability of a 16MHz Arduino then there should be no problem with multiple drivers.

...R
Stepper Motor Basics
Simple Stepper Code

3

Hi Robin,

Thanks for your prompt response. I will use 9x A4988 Stepper Drivers. I have read the basics of stepper motor from your thread.

I have one more query from that. I want to maintain initial position in of my all motors and for that, you have suggested "The usual way to establish a datum for counting steps is with a limit switch. At startup, the Arduino will move the motor until it triggers the switch." How can we implement that practically?

Can you please give me an example for the same?

As well as it will be good if you provide any sample code to control 9 motors individually as a pixel if you have?

4

I certainly don't have any code to illustrate driving 9 steppers. Start your learning with one, and then two.

One way to move to the Home position is like this

while (digitalRead(limitSwitch == HIGH)) { // assumes LOW when triggered
   // code to move one step towards the switch - slowly
}

...R