How to control Nema 17 motor to rotate slowly infinitely?

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

Building a turntable and need a Nema 17 motor to rotate it slowly. I'm a novice to electronics, so please be gentle :slight_smile:

I have an Arduino Uno and trying to figure out how to hook it up to the Nema 17 motor to rotate it infinitely, slowly.

Is there any simple tutorial I can follow? I researched a lot of tutorials already, but after buying several circuit boards/components, got nowhere.

What parts do I need to do this in the most simplest way? Please provide a step by step tutorial. This is the motor I am using: http://www.kysanelectronics.com/Products/datasheet_display.php?recordID=7850

Thanks!

2

To rotate a stepping motor very slowly, take one step, wait a very long time, and take another step.

To rotate infinitely slowly, simply wait forever between steps.

3

Have a look at stepper motor basics. It should answer most of your questions.

If you are still unsure what is needed post a link to the datasheet for your stepper motor.

This simple stepper code may also be of interest.

...R

4

@Robin2 Posted the link to the data sheet for the stepper motor in the first post of this thread.

What electronics do I need? I don't tinker with electronics usually, so I am really a beginner. If you can give me a step by step tutorial, then I can follow it. Appreciate any help!

5

If you can give me a step by step tutorial, then I can follow it. Appreciate any help!

It is pretty difficult to imagine how Robin2 could have been more clear, but let's try again: stepper motor basics

6

Responding to Reply #3 ...

Sorry, when it was not an active link I missed that.

The motor seems to need 1.5 amps so a Pololu DRV8825 or A4988 or a SparkFun BigEasydriver should be suitable. I have no connection with them but I would choose the DRV8825 and the Pololu website has good data about wiring and usage.

You also need a suitable power supply for the motor. Any voltage from (say) 12v up to the limit of the driver should be suitable. If you need high speed you need the higher voltage.

Make sure to adjust the driver so that it matches the current required by your motor or the smoke may escape.

...R

7

If you want smooth rotation at low speeds use the finest microstepping that your driver offers.

Russell.

8

What speeds are you talking about? Please note that if you want REALLY low speeds and smooth rotations, a stepper motor might not be the best choice. Even the 32x microstepping of the DRV8825 doesn't allow you to have smooth transitions between each full-step at low speeds.

If you want it to be smooth, you should consider some further components.