Hi Everyone!
I'm new to Arduino and am going to get a kit to learn, but want to head toward a specific project.
Can anyone recommend what Arduino board and hardware I'd need to create a project with 3 stepper motors and a Bluetooth module. Two stepper motors will be in-sync with each other. Bluetooth is going to be used to activate a smartphone camera.
No ethernet or extra storage is needed.
Will an UNO do this, or do I need a Mega or something else?
Thank you.
An Uno will easily do what you want. 3 stepper drivers take 6 pins. A Bluetooth module 2 more. Might want to add some limit switches to home the motors for a starting reference point. So, 2 or 3 pins for those. So far 11 pins, that leaves 6 for other stuff. How will the 2 motors be synced? Mechanically?
Thanks for the quick advice!
I was hoping to sync them via software, not mechanically.
-Larry
I was hoping to sync them via software
No problem, that is how the Z axis on my 3D printer is. 2 Independent motors synced by software. . You can pulse 2 drivers with one step output and tie the 2 dir inputs to one output then they will step simultaneously.
It might be better to use an Arduino with a spare HardwareSerial port for the Bluetooth module. Using SoftwareSerial on an Uno might slow the performance sufficiently to interfere with the stepper performance. And using the Uno's HardwareSerial for the Bluetooth module might make things too complicated for a beginner. A Mega would be my preferred option but a Leonardo also has a spare HardwareSerial port.
...R
Stepper Motor Basics
Simple Stepper Code
Serial Input Basics - simple reliable ways to receive data.
Thank you!
Robin,
I read through the stepper motor for beginners post, Thank you for that!
I bought an Arduino Uno starter kit so I can learn, then I'll head in the direction of my project.
-Larry
ldboehm:
I bought an Arduino Uno starter kit so I can learn, then I'll head in the direction of my project.
Very sensible.
...R