I'm a newb, who has a decent project idea.

Projects General Guidance
1

Hey guys, I am very new. And very green. Feel free to tear into me at will lol.

I have a project Idea I want accomplish. And I am just wanting to know what tools/parts/software I will need to accomplish this project.

What is needed/included (as far as I know) to make the project work.

  • Microcontroller
  • Two Stepper Motors
  • Two timing belts
  • LCD screen (to input info)
  • keypad (to input 2 numerical values and run a basic program)

How the Project works
Theoretically the project is to work as such:

1.) User Hits "Edit" button and enters edit mode.
2.) User Inputs a Numerical Value that acts as a length of measurement controlled by the Easy Driver for one stepper motor in inch mode. i.e.(3.000") Y AXIS
3.) User uses directional buttons to move down to the next input.
4.) User Inputs a Numerical Value that acts as a count for two stepper motors to run a set amount of times that is entered in the LCD. i.e.(100) X AXIS
5.) User Hits "Enter" to save and exit edit mode.
6.) User Hits "Start" to start the saved program.

Y AXIS needs to continue to run in one direction in inch increments programmed by the user until the program ends.

X AXIS need to move full length of travel and then back home every count that the user programmed.

If anyone can give me a little bit of knowledge on the parts/tools a smart beginner could acquire to begin this foolish project? Thanks guys, and I look forward to your input and advice!

2

your project is not foolish and not impossible for a beginner.

as with all projects, break i down into steps that you can accomplish.

there are many youtube vids of people with LCD menu systems and some with wireless using different technologies.
20

connect your stepper and driver
connect an LCD

get an LCD with large buttons that are taller than the face of the display.
SHIELD-LCD16x2 - Open Source Hardware Board (or similar)

you can put this into a case without having to do a lot of extra work.

you should be able to put in your values and rotate your motor.

if you have problems post what you have done and what barriers you hit.

3

It's called an X-Y plotter . you can buy them.........

eg HP and Roland make very good ones.

Bryans-Southern made nice analog ones a while back in the UK

regards

Allan

4

These links may be helpful
Stepper Motor Basics
Simple Stepper Code

...R

5

Your sample program requires 2 loops (levels), where the inner loop will drive the X motor to the limit and back to home, while the outer loop will advance the Y motor by one inch, before or after the inner loop completes, until the programmed number of steps (or distance) is reached. If this is the only kind of movement, you can write the code to do just that, with only the final Y position and step width as user provided variables.