Stepper Motor Power Limiter

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

I am new to using Arduino and stepper motors and have a question. I am using a stepper motor and ball screw to get a slide from one point to another. I need a safe guard that kills the motor if it runs into any unforeseen parts in its path and gets stuck. So my question is, is there any way of measuring the voltage or current to determine if it gets stuck.

Any help is appreciated

Thanks

Luke

2

Not really. The motor will draw the same current whether moving or stopped. What you need is a way for your program to verify the lead screw is turning when the stepper has been commanded to turn. Is there a way to attach a sensor to the lead screw?

Paul

3

Hi,
Welcome to the forum.

Please read the first post in any forum entitled how to use this forum.
http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php/topic,148850.0.html

How are you controlling the stepper?

Can you please post a copy of your circuit, in CAD or a picture of a hand drawn circuit in jpg, png?

Thanks.. Tom... :slight_smile:

4

I gave your question more thought last night. Using a lead screw, the mechanical advantage is so great, the motor will never notice something has gotten in the way. My lathe uses a split nut on the lead screw. In learning how to use it, I have jammed the slide and broken some things. There is so much torque from the screw, it just continues on. BUT the lead screw has a shear pin that breaks and saves the whole mechanism from destroying itself.

One change you may consider is to use a shear pin in the stepper drive. Or use a slip clutch that will slip when the torque is excessive.

Paul

5

Sorry for the long response time but thanks for all the advice.
We had not thought about adding a slip clutch. We liked the idea but we weren't sure how to determine if the clutch slipped. With some more thinking we decided to use an ultra sonic sensor to make sure that its at the proper location.

Thanks for all your help
Luke