Millis() and delay() replacment

Using Arduino Programming Questions
#1

Hi,

I am using the AccelStepper library to control stepper motors (AccelStepper is built into MeOrion Library), and was wondering how I can use the millis function to wait an interval of time. I have tried to follow examples on this forum, and have come up with the following code. The problem is that once I run this code, it waits the interval initially, then runs continuously, without regard for the distance it was told to move. If I add the previous= current part, the motors don't move at all. I was wondering what needs to be done to get the motors moving properly. Thanks.

#2

I was wondering what needs to be done to get the motors moving properly.

Step 1: Actually post your code.

#3

Sorry, Completely forgot!

//Testing motor control with millis() function

#include <Arduino.h>
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
#include <Wire.h>
#include <MeOrion.h>

MeStepper stepper_1(1);

unsigned long previous= 0;
unsigned long interval=10000;

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:

stepper_1.setMaxSpeed(100);

}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
unsigned long current = millis();
if( current-previous>= interval)
{
 stepper_1.move(100);
stepper_1.setSpeed(100);
stepper_1.runSpeedToPosition(); 
previous=current;
}
}
#4

Add a Serial.print() statement to the body of the if statement. Does it print once every 10 seconds? Or does it print more often than that?

Don’t forget the Serial.begin() call in setup().

#5 
MeStepper stepper_1(1);

And put the stepper on a different pin if you are going to put in some Serial prints like @PaulS suggested.

In general you should stay off of pins 0 and 1 unless you are completely out of other pins as those are the Serial pins.

#6

yousimxing:
I have tried to follow examples on this forum, and have come up with the following code. The problem is that once I run this code, it waits the interval initially, then runs continuously, without regard for the distance it was told to move.

I suspect the problem is that you are not allowing for the time taken for the motor to move.

Try changing this line

previous=current;

to

previous = millis();

so that the timing is measured from when the motor stops

...R

#7