Is Arduino the right controller for a closed loop Stepper?

Projects General Guidance
1

I would prefer to just leave it at that...

Is Arduino the right controller for a closed loop Stepper?

I make it general so the conversation can find it's way to the right place. I have read warnings about the speed of the Arduino in comparison with driving stepper motors. Also the codes structure is more "finicky" when driving motors (accelstepper, would like certain things to take place in certain locations).

I am also processing other inputs an outputs, three different relays, a push button ,and potentiometers. Project guidance sounded like a good place for this one. Closed loop stepper has a lot of wires already. Fortunately i'm not running out of interrupts an i'm using a Nan0.

I would like to use a ethernet cord with the Arduino in the controller rather then by the motor.

So, I have

Controller

1 Potentiometers
3 leads
2 Potentiometers
3 leads
1 Switch
3 leads
2 Switch
2 leads
1 Push button
1 lead

Device

3 Relays
1 Closed loop stepper.

I'm also sending the power for the Arduino along the ethernet, so there's two pairs down. Six to go to drive the stepper an control the relays. 3 for the relays, 3 for the stepper. Can you... can I just do like a common ground to the chase? Its all DC. Can I split those pairs up an use each for a different digital signal an connect the negatives to the negative feeding the Arduino? Should I think about upgrading the platform to the mega. Do you think having two Arduinos might help manage everything? How would you go about controlling an arduino with another Arduino... Or even better, would using one Arduino to control another relieve the bottle neck between the controller an the driver.

2

A circuit diagram and a copy of your code plus complete project description (what is this all supposed to do in the first place) would be enlightening.

3

If new members still have <100 posts, it might be wise to look into their history.
There you can usually find a lot more about the project they're working on.
Leo..

4

Wawa:
If new members still have <100 posts, it might be wise to look into their history.
There you can usually find a lot more about the project they're working on.
Leo..

That is interesting. Bam, everything you needed to know.

5

Open-loop, you won’t know if the motor has dropped a step, or when it is ‘home’.
Closed-loop answers those two issues.
The closed loop, could be provided. by an attached quad encoder (accurate and more complex), or position sensors to identify index points/position calibration.

6

If you want help you shouldn't be so lazy as to expect people in looking up stuff for you, but just explain your problem clearly.

7

If being lazy was my problem I don't think I would be taking the time to post on the Arduino forms about project structure. A project with hardware reaching up above 500 bucks and over a years worth of effort. I mean I'm pretty sure the Arduino site wouldn't even be in the top 25 percent most popular sites on the internet. This is a very specific location an I'm talking as far as I can tell on point with the topic. The Project guidance, sounds like a very general topic. I'm sorry I don't even know the specific questions I need to be asking right now since I have not been formally trained as an engineer. I have a lot of questions to ask I think I have been asking them pretty straight forwardly an can not become more specific until the general questions have been answered.

Not that the answers normally get specific or even get past... I need a schematic.. I need program....
By lazy people might I add who would rather be asked what 1+1 is an expect the person asking to have not already figured out the answer before they asked it. I think Leo helped out a lot by stating that if you where actually interested in helping all the additional information asked for had already been provided. Leo provided a link to find it all.

I am not asking anyone to do something they do not want to do. I assumed the people on this forum might be interested in looking at questions. I thought I might be able to have a nice conversation with like minded folks. Do my part in adding to the growing information about Arduino on the internet. I learned quite a bit in my last post... like I needed to learn accelstepper even though the post was steppers verses servos. So, wvmarle thank you for the comment, under consideration... Further help from yourself, unnecessary. No need for you to waste your time any further.

Lastchancename
Thank you for your response also. Yup I'm upgrading from a open to a close. I didn't realize there were so many wires coming off the closed loop. From my understanding I can tell it where home is like a one time deal an then always refer... Man that does bring an issue up. I assume the closed loop I am buying has a an identifying index point. I will have to remember to mount the plate in the corrected orientation on the shaft to be able to set the index as home every time. The bigger problem is still, I have too many input an outputs to be able to use a 8 pair Ethernet cable.

And, this is where the

wvmarle:
If you want help you shouldn't be so lazy as to expect people in looking up stuff for you, but just explain your problem clearly.

Just burns my @#$%^ I am obviously asking for a hint or trick that most would have learned from experience on how to reduce the number of wires needed when going from a controller to a device. Wisdom is what I seek.

Anyways, bump.

8

Hi,

Can you tell us your electronics, programming, Arduino, hardware experience please?

Can you tell us what is the application please?

Controller What sort?

1 Potentiometers What value?
3 leads
2 Potentiometers What value?
3 leads
1 Switch What type, (SPST,DPDT) ? ?
3 leads
2 Switch What type, (SPST,DPDT) ? ?
2 leads
1 Push button What type NO or NC?
1 lead (single lead switch??)

Device

3 Relays What type, specs please.
1 Closed loop stepper. What type, define closed loop, specs?
Do you have a controller for it, specs please?

Just the facts, just the facts.

Thanks... Tom... :slight_smile:

9

Some of this I had to look up. Sorry for the delay.

TomGeorge:
Can you tell us your electronics, programming, Arduino, hardware experience please?

I have been playing with the arduino for about a year.
I have taken digital fundamentals, ac an dc circuits in college (it's been a while).
I have programmed pascal c++ basic visual basic VBA php my sql java scripting linux.
Hardware... basic.

TomGeorge:
Can you tell us what is the application please?

Air pump.

TomGeorge:
Controller What sort?

I am guessing this is referring to the controller I'm making? A plastic box with inputs mounted on it? Connected to driver an base through Ethernet. Arduino inside it.

TomGeorge:
1 Potentiometers What value?
3 leads

10K WH148-B10K 10K Ohm Rotary Linear
Dropping a POT here to match what I already have made.

TomGeorge:
1 Switch What type, (SPST,DPDT) ? ?
2 leads

Okay it looks like I messed one or two things up. I am dropping a lead off this switch. Simple on off.
SPST
AC 6A/250V 10A/125V 2 Solder SPST On/Off

TomGeorge:
1 Switch What type, (SPST,DPDT) ? ?
3 leads

SPST
Toggle Switches AC 125V/12A 250V/10A SPDT 3PIN 3 Positions On Off On Rocker Switch Black

TomGeorge:
1 Push button What type NO or NC?
1 lead (single lead switch??)

Ha, Ha, one lead, yea I am officially human :).
Make that two can I?
NO
Toggle Switches AC 125V/12A 250V/10A SPDT 3PIN 3 Positions On Off On Rocker Switch Black

TomGeorge:
3 Relays What type, specs please.

5V/9V/12V/24V 1 Channel Relay Shield Module Optocoupler For PIC AVR DSP ARM Arduino TE213

Voltage version:5V
The static current:4Ma
Working current:65mA
Trigger voltage:2-5V
Trigger current:2mA

TomGeorge:
1 Closed loop stepper. What type, define closed loop, specs?

Closed Loop Stepper CNC Kit 13.0Nm(1841oz.in) Nema 34

Motor Datasheet:

Manufacturer Part Number: 34HS59-5004D-E1000
Motor Type: Bipolar Stepper
Step Angle: 1.8 deg
Holding Torque: 13Nm(1841oz.in)
Rated Current/phase: 5A
Voltage: 5V
Phase Resistance: 1ohms
Inductance: 11mH ± 20%(1KHz)
Frame Size: 86 x 86mm
Body Length: 152mm
Shaft Diameter: Φ14mm
Shaft Length: 35mm
Key-way Length: 25mm
Number of Leads: 4
Lead Length: 500mm
Weight: 1.2kg

TomGeorge:
Do you have a controller for it, specs please?

Closed Loop Stepper CNC Kit 13.0Nm(1841oz.in) Nema 34

CL86T.pdf Driver Manual

Input Voltage(V) 24 - 80
Output Current(A) 0 - 8.2
Microstep(Steps/rev.) 400 - 51200
Max. Pulse Input(kHZ) 200
Pulse Width(μs) 2.5

Power supply
350W 60V 5.9A 115/230V Switching Power Supply Stepper Motor CNC Router Kits

So I would say there is a bit going on there. Tom thanks for asking.