hi, I'm new to all of this ( I don't even have an Arduino, I'm still in the drooling faze), but What is the maximum number
of steps the Arduino can remember? like if I have a a stepper motor with a home switch and say ( for arguments sake) 360 steps is a full rotation,
how man full rotations can it travel wile still remembering exactly what step it is on?
Bit of an odd question, but with a "long" variable, over two thousand million steps.
When I first built a stepper motor driver and connected it to a computer (long ago) I wondered how 'accurate' it would be, so I ran a little program that stepped both motors in equal amounts with several variables and speeds. I stuck masking tape "Flags" on both motors and started it up. It seemed to track OK, and I left it running. 3 or 4 days later the little flags were still in perfect sync.
But I didn't COUNT them 
I'm thinking of making a robot, it will be basically a pack and place robot but as big as a room(12'x12'). I want it to place my dvd and video game collection on a shelf and to be able to bring it to me . I will have the X and Y axes up high above any shelving and the Z axis will be to get to the correct hight for the shelf. Add a claw to grab the dvd and a barcode scanner to ensure that the correct dvd is in the correct address.
Do you thing all of this is doable with one Arduino?
I'm looking at 5 stepper motors ( two pairs of two steppers synced for X and Y)
one stepper for the Z axis (hight)
servo for a claw ( to grab the dvd)
barcode scanner near claw to ensure it has the right dvd
three home switches for X,Y,Z
an all stop circuit (so it doesn't knock over everything or bumrush someone)
also somthing to articulate the claw 180 degrees
I know this all seems like alot and I might be biting more than I can chew but this going to be my hobbie
some people build model cars you know
I also know I will need a computer for a database for the addresses as well and what dvd game is in a certain address. I'm open to any help or criticsism on this project and so far I like this forum
and thanks for the replies so far
Well, this is ambitious, but as Buckminister Fuller famously said, "Dare To Be Naive !"
I would start with some real stepper motors and drivers and prototype this small at first.
You've got some real mechanical challenges if this isn't going to look like an automatic car wash.
But if you can make it work at reasonable cost it may be workable as an aid to a severely handicapped person.
Or get a Monkey who learns how to use a barcode scanner...
And see this: Projects – Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers