Why is this code not working?

[hyperapeiron]

Firstly, I just want to thank anyone who is willing to help me with this. I have some knowledge of C++ and arduino but there are still many things I don`t know yet. I hope I am just making a silly mistake. I know these sort of topics can be quite difficult and annoying, so I firstly want to thank anyone willing to support me with this.

I am working on an arduino based 3D scanner (Fabscan 100) project. There is a tutorial page with all the code I am working with from about 10 years ago. My hardware is working with the test code but not responding to the code which I need to actually use for my project. I am wondering if anyone can take a look at the code help me figure out why it isn`t working. Is the code too old and some revisions need to be made or is it something else?

There are three components of the project which are controlled by the code: an LED, a laser, and a motor. The motor has a motor stepper but doesn't include the optional laser stepper. I have also already tried removing the references in the code to the laser stepper but it still doesnt function. When I try to run the code the LED and Laser turn on and the motor does not move. Nothing else happens after that. The motor is supposed to move a bit and then after setup, send the computer a ping and turn the LED off.

Also, I am wondering about the variables defined to number in the 200s in the second link, is this something to do with an official shield? I made my own from a breadboard shield.

Test code:[quote="hyperapeiron, post:1, topic:1068980, full:true"]
Firstly, I just want to thank anyone who is willing to help me with this. I have some knowledge of C++ and arduino but there are still many things I don`t know yet. I hope I am just making a silly mistake. I know these sort of topics can be quite difficult and annoying, so I firstly want to thank anyone willing to support me with this.

I am working on an arduino based 3D scanner (Fabscan 100) project. There is a tutorial page with all the code I am working with from about 10 years ago. My hardware is working with the test code (FabScan100/TestFabScanShieldV11.ino at master · francisengelmann/FabScan100 · GitHub) but not responding to the code (providing the following code to follow: FabScan100/FabScanArduinoFirmware.ino at master · francisengelmann/FabScan100 · GitHub) which I need to actually use for my project. I am wondering if anyone can take a look at the code help me figure out why it isn`t working. Is the code too old and some revisions need to be made or is it something else?

There are three components of the project which are controlled by the code: an LED, a laser, and a motor. The motor has a motor stepper but doesn't include the optional laser stepper. I have also already tried removing the references in the code to the laser stepper but it still doesnt function. When I try to run the code the LED and Laser turn on and the motor does not move. Nothing else happens after that. The motor is supposed to move a bit and then after setup, send the computer a ping and turn the LED off.

Also, I am wondering about the variables defined to number in the 200s in the second link, is this something to do with an official shield? I made my own from a breadboard shield.

Thank you so much! Any response is greatly appreciated!

Test code:

// FabScan - http://hci.rwth-aachen.de/fabscan
//
// R. Bohne 30.12.2013
// This sketch tests all four stepper drivers on the FabScan-Shield V1.1
// It also turns on the light and the laser
// This sketch is not the real FabScan firmware, but just a test script for people who want to test their hardware!
// at startup, the sketch blinks all leds, the light and the motor a few times and after that, it starts to spin the motors.

#define LIGHT_PIN 17
#define LASER_PIN 18
#define MS_PIN    19

//Stepper 1 as labeled on Shield, Turntable
#define ENABLE_PIN_0  2
#define STEP_PIN_0    3
#define DIR_PIN_0     4

//Stepper 2, Laser Stepper
#define ENABLE_PIN_1  5
#define STEP_PIN_1    6
#define DIR_PIN_1     7

//Stepper 3, currently unused
#define ENABLE_PIN_2  11
#define STEP_PIN_2    12
#define DIR_PIN_2     13

//Stepper 4, currently unused
#define ENABLE_PIN_3  14
#define STEP_PIN_3    15
#define DIR_PIN_3     16

void setup() 
{ 
  pinMode(LASER_PIN, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LIGHT_PIN, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(MS_PIN, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(MS_PIN, HIGH);  //HIGH for 16microstepping, LOW for no microstepping

  pinMode(ENABLE_PIN_0, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN_0, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN_0, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(ENABLE_PIN_1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN_1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN_1, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(ENABLE_PIN_2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN_2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN_2, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(ENABLE_PIN_3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN_3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN_3, OUTPUT);

  //enable turntable and laser steppers
  digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_0, LOW);  //HIGH to turn off
  digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_1, LOW);  //HIGH to turn off
  digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_2, LOW);  //LOW to turn on
  digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_3, LOW);  //LOW to turn on 

  //blink all leds, lights ans the laser 10 times
  for(int i=0; i<10; i++)
  {
    digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_0, HIGH);  //HIGH to turn off
    digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_1, HIGH);  //HIGH to turn off
    digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_2, HIGH);  //LOW to turn on
    digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_3, HIGH);  //LOW to turn on 
    digitalWrite(LIGHT_PIN, 0); //turn light off
    digitalWrite(LASER_PIN, 0); //turn laser off
    delay(120);
    digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_0, LOW);  //HIGH to turn off
    digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_1, LOW);  //HIGH to turn off
    digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_2, LOW);  //LOW to turn on
    digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_3, LOW);  //LOW to turn on 
    digitalWrite(LIGHT_PIN, 1); //turn light on
    digitalWrite(LASER_PIN, 1); //turn laser on
    delay(120);
  }
  
  
  
  
} 

//loop just steps all four steppers. Attached motors should turn!
void loop() 
{
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_0, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_1, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_2, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_3, HIGH);
  delay(1);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_0, LOW);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_3, LOW);
  delay(1);
  
}

Project code:

// FabScan - http://hci.rwth-aachen.de/fabscan
//
//  Created by Francis Engelmann on 7/1/11.
//  Copyright 2011 Media Computing Group, RWTH Aachen University. All rights reserved.
//  
//  Chngelog:
//  R. Bohne 29.01.2013: changed pin mapping to Watterott FabScan Arduino Shield
//  R. Bohne 30.12.2013: added pin definitions for stepper 4 --> this firmware supports the new FabScan Shield V1.1, minor syntax changes. Steppers are now disabled at startup.
//  R. Bohne 12.03.2014: renamed the pins 14..19 to A0..A5 (better abstraction for people who use Arduino MEGA, etc.)

#define LIGHT_PIN A3
#define LASER_PIN A4
#define MS_PIN    A5

//Stepper 1 as labeled on Shield, Turntable
#define ENABLE_PIN_0  2
#define STEP_PIN_0    3
#define DIR_PIN_0     4

//Stepper 2, Laser Stepper
#define ENABLE_PIN_1  5
#define STEP_PIN_1    6
#define DIR_PIN_1     7

//Stepper 3, currently unused
#define ENABLE_PIN_2  11
#define STEP_PIN_2    12
#define DIR_PIN_2     13

//Stepper 4, currently unused
#define ENABLE_PIN_3  A0
#define STEP_PIN_3    A1
#define DIR_PIN_3     A2
  
#define TURN_LASER_OFF      200
#define TURN_LASER_ON       201
#define PERFORM_STEP        202
#define SET_DIRECTION_CW    203
#define SET_DIRECTION_CCW   204
#define TURN_STEPPER_ON     205
#define TURN_STEPPER_OFF    206
#define TURN_LIGHT_ON       207
#define TURN_LIGHT_OFF      208
#define ROTATE_LASER        209
#define FABSCAN_PING        210
#define FABSCAN_PONG        211
#define SELECT_STEPPER      212
#define LASER_STEPPER       11
#define TURNTABLE_STEPPER   10
//the protocol: we send one byte to define the action what to do.
//If the action is unary (like turnung off the light) we only need one byte so we are fine.
//If we want to tell the stepper to turn, a second byte is used to specify the number of steps.
//These second bytes are defined here below.

#define ACTION_BYTE         1    //normal byte, first of new action
#define LIGHT_INTENSITY     2
#define TURN_TABLE_STEPS    3
#define LASER1_STEPS        4
#define LASER2_STEPS        5
#define LASER_ROTATION      6
#define STEPPER_ID          7

int incomingByte = 0;
int byteType = 1;
int currStepper;


//current motor: turn a single step 
void step()
{
 if(currStepper == TURNTABLE_STEPPER){
   digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_0, LOW);
 }else if(currStepper == LASER_STEPPER){
   digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_1, LOW);
 }

 delay(3);
 if(currStepper == TURNTABLE_STEPPER){
   digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_0, HIGH);
 }else if(currStepper == LASER_STEPPER){
   digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_1, HIGH);
 }
 delay(3);
}

//step the current motor for <count> times
void step(int count)
{
  for(int i=0; i<count; i++){
    step();
  }
}

void setup() 
{ 
  // initialize the serial port
   Serial.begin(9600);
   pinMode(LASER_PIN, OUTPUT);
   pinMode(LIGHT_PIN, OUTPUT);
 
   pinMode(MS_PIN, OUTPUT);
   digitalWrite(MS_PIN, HIGH);  //HIGH for 16microstepping, LOW for no microstepping

  pinMode(ENABLE_PIN_0, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN_0, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN_0, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(ENABLE_PIN_1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN_1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN_1, OUTPUT);
 
  pinMode(ENABLE_PIN_2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN_2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN_2, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(ENABLE_PIN_3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN_3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN_3, OUTPUT);
 
 //disable all steppers at startup
 digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_0, HIGH);  //HIGH to turn off
 digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_1, HIGH);  //HIGH to turn off
 digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_2, HIGH);  //LOW to turn on
 digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_3, HIGH);  //LOW to turn on 
 
 digitalWrite(LIGHT_PIN, LOW); //turn light off

 digitalWrite(LASER_PIN, HIGH); //turn laser on
 Serial.write(FABSCAN_PONG); //send a pong back to the computer so we know setup is done and that we are actually dealing with a FabScan
 
 currStepper = TURNTABLE_STEPPER;  //turntable is default stepper
} 

void loop() 
{

  if(Serial.available() > 0){

    incomingByte = Serial.read();
    
    switch(byteType){
      case ACTION_BYTE:
      
          switch(incomingByte){    //this switch always handles the first byte
            //Laser
            case TURN_LASER_OFF:
              digitalWrite(LASER_PIN, LOW);    // turn the LASER off
              break;
            case TURN_LASER_ON:
              digitalWrite(LASER_PIN, HIGH);   // turn the LASER on
              break;
            case ROTATE_LASER: //unused
              byteType = LASER_ROTATION;
              break;
            //TurnTable
            case PERFORM_STEP:
              byteType = TURN_TABLE_STEPS;
              break;
            case SET_DIRECTION_CW:
              if(currStepper == TURNTABLE_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(DIR_PIN_0, HIGH);
              }else if(currStepper == LASER_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(DIR_PIN_1, HIGH);
              }
              break;
            case SET_DIRECTION_CCW:
              if(currStepper == TURNTABLE_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(DIR_PIN_0, LOW);
              }else if(currStepper == LASER_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(DIR_PIN_1, LOW);
              }
              break;
            case TURN_STEPPER_ON:
              if(currStepper == TURNTABLE_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_0, LOW);
              }else if(currStepper == LASER_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_1, LOW);
              }
              break;
            case TURN_STEPPER_OFF:
              if(currStepper == TURNTABLE_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_0, HIGH);
              }else if(currStepper == LASER_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_1, HIGH);
              }
              break;
            case TURN_LIGHT_ON:
              byteType = LIGHT_INTENSITY;
              break;
            case TURN_LIGHT_OFF:
              digitalWrite(LIGHT_PIN, LOW);
              break;
            case FABSCAN_PING:
              delay(1);
              Serial.write(FABSCAN_PONG);
              break;
            case SELECT_STEPPER:
              byteType = STEPPER_ID;
              break;
            }
      
          break;
       case LIGHT_INTENSITY:       //after this point we take care of the second byte if one is sent
          analogWrite(LIGHT_PIN, incomingByte);
          byteType = ACTION_BYTE;  //reset byteType
          break;
        case TURN_TABLE_STEPS:
          step(incomingByte);
          byteType = ACTION_BYTE;
          break;
        case STEPPER_ID:
          Serial.write(incomingByte);
          currStepper = incomingByte;
          byteType = ACTION_BYTE;
          break;
    }
  } 
}

Thank you so much! Any response is greatly appreciated!

[J-M-L]

Post a schematic and description of exactly the hardware you are using including power. Bonus point for links to the parts

Debugging can be done in steps, for example testing if each individual component is working

[red_car]

@hyperapeiron

but not responding to the code

What does that mean exactly?

Also... don't post links to code. Post the code inline here in the forum. You will get a lot more help.

[hyperapeiron]

this:

@hyperapeiron

When I try to run the code the LED and Laser turn on and the motor does not move. Nothing else happens after that. The motor is supposed to move a bit and then after setup, send the computer a ping and turn the LED off.

[hyperapeiron]

Also thank you for telling me about the inline function, have added now :]

[hyperapeiron]

Im quite sure the components are working as they functioned properly with the test code. Do you see anything glaring red in the project code that would stop it from working properly?

Here is the schematic:

Description:
I am using an arduino uno, a breadboard shield, 1mw laser, and a 17hs13-0404S quimat motor.

[hyperapeiron]

Hi there, Im trying to resolve some 10 year code that isnt working. One of the aspects of the code that I can understand is the definition of certain variables with numbers ranging from 200 - 212.

Here are the defined variables:

#define TURN_LASER_OFF      200
#define TURN_LASER_ON       201
#define PERFORM_STEP        202
#define SET_DIRECTION_CW    203
#define SET_DIRECTION_CCW   204
#define TURN_STEPPER_ON     205
#define TURN_STEPPER_OFF    206
#define TURN_LIGHT_ON       207
#define TURN_LIGHT_OFF      208
#define ROTATE_LASER        209
#define FABSCAN_PING        210
#define FABSCAN_PONG        211
#define SELECT_STEPPER      212

Here is the corresponding code:

// FabScan - http://hci.rwth-aachen.de/fabscan
//
//  Created by Francis Engelmann on 7/1/11.
//  Copyright 2011 Media Computing Group, RWTH Aachen University. All rights reserved.
//  
//  Chngelog:
//  R. Bohne 29.01.2013: changed pin mapping to Watterott FabScan Arduino Shield
//  R. Bohne 30.12.2013: added pin definitions for stepper 4 --> this firmware supports the new FabScan Shield V1.1, minor syntax changes. Steppers are now disabled at startup.
//  R. Bohne 12.03.2014: renamed the pins 14..19 to A0..A5 (better abstraction for people who use Arduino MEGA, etc.)

#define LIGHT_PIN A3
#define LASER_PIN A4
#define MS_PIN    A5

//Stepper 1 as labeled on Shield, Turntable
#define ENABLE_PIN_0  2
#define STEP_PIN_0    3
#define DIR_PIN_0     4

//Stepper 2, Laser Stepper
#define ENABLE_PIN_1  5
#define STEP_PIN_1    6
#define DIR_PIN_1     7

//Stepper 3, currently unused
#define ENABLE_PIN_2  11
#define STEP_PIN_2    12
#define DIR_PIN_2     13

//Stepper 4, currently unused
#define ENABLE_PIN_3  A0
#define STEP_PIN_3    A1
#define DIR_PIN_3     A2
  
#define TURN_LASER_OFF      200
#define TURN_LASER_ON       201
#define PERFORM_STEP        202
#define SET_DIRECTION_CW    203
#define SET_DIRECTION_CCW   204
#define TURN_STEPPER_ON     205
#define TURN_STEPPER_OFF    206
#define TURN_LIGHT_ON       207
#define TURN_LIGHT_OFF      208
#define ROTATE_LASER        209
#define FABSCAN_PING        210
#define FABSCAN_PONG        211
#define SELECT_STEPPER      212
#define LASER_STEPPER       11
#define TURNTABLE_STEPPER   10
//the protocol: we send one byte to define the action what to do.
//If the action is unary (like turnung off the light) we only need one byte so we are fine.
//If we want to tell the stepper to turn, a second byte is used to specify the number of steps.
//These second bytes are defined here below.

#define ACTION_BYTE         1    //normal byte, first of new action
#define LIGHT_INTENSITY     2
#define TURN_TABLE_STEPS    3
#define LASER1_STEPS        4
#define LASER2_STEPS        5
#define LASER_ROTATION      6
#define STEPPER_ID          7

int incomingByte = 0;
int byteType = 1;
int currStepper;


//current motor: turn a single step 
void step()
{
 if(currStepper == TURNTABLE_STEPPER){
   digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_0, LOW);
 }else if(currStepper == LASER_STEPPER){
   digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_1, LOW);
 }

 delay(3);
 if(currStepper == TURNTABLE_STEPPER){
   digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_0, HIGH);
 }else if(currStepper == LASER_STEPPER){
   digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_1, HIGH);
 }
 delay(3);
}

//step the current motor for <count> times
void step(int count)
{
  for(int i=0; i<count; i++){
    step();
  }
}

void setup() 
{ 
  // initialize the serial port
   Serial.begin(9600);
   pinMode(LASER_PIN, OUTPUT);
   pinMode(LIGHT_PIN, OUTPUT);
 
   pinMode(MS_PIN, OUTPUT);
   digitalWrite(MS_PIN, HIGH);  //HIGH for 16microstepping, LOW for no microstepping

  pinMode(ENABLE_PIN_0, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN_0, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN_0, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(ENABLE_PIN_1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN_1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN_1, OUTPUT);
 
  pinMode(ENABLE_PIN_2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN_2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN_2, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(ENABLE_PIN_3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN_3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN_3, OUTPUT);
 
 //disable all steppers at startup
 digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_0, HIGH);  //HIGH to turn off
 digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_1, HIGH);  //HIGH to turn off
 digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_2, HIGH);  //LOW to turn on
 digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_3, HIGH);  //LOW to turn on 
 
 digitalWrite(LIGHT_PIN, LOW); //turn light off

 digitalWrite(LASER_PIN, HIGH); //turn laser on
 Serial.write(FABSCAN_PONG); //send a pong back to the computer so we know setup is done and that we are actually dealing with a FabScan
 
 currStepper = TURNTABLE_STEPPER;  //turntable is default stepper
} 

void loop() 
{

  if(Serial.available() > 0){

    incomingByte = Serial.read();
    
    switch(byteType){
      case ACTION_BYTE:
      
          switch(incomingByte){    //this switch always handles the first byte
            //Laser
            case TURN_LASER_OFF:
              digitalWrite(LASER_PIN, LOW);    // turn the LASER off
              break;
            case TURN_LASER_ON:
              digitalWrite(LASER_PIN, HIGH);   // turn the LASER on
              break;
            case ROTATE_LASER: //unused
              byteType = LASER_ROTATION;
              break;
            //TurnTable
            case PERFORM_STEP:
              byteType = TURN_TABLE_STEPS;
              break;
            case SET_DIRECTION_CW:
              if(currStepper == TURNTABLE_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(DIR_PIN_0, HIGH);
              }else if(currStepper == LASER_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(DIR_PIN_1, HIGH);
              }
              break;
            case SET_DIRECTION_CCW:
              if(currStepper == TURNTABLE_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(DIR_PIN_0, LOW);
              }else if(currStepper == LASER_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(DIR_PIN_1, LOW);
              }
              break;
            case TURN_STEPPER_ON:
              if(currStepper == TURNTABLE_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_0, LOW);
              }else if(currStepper == LASER_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_1, LOW);
              }
              break;
            case TURN_STEPPER_OFF:
              if(currStepper == TURNTABLE_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_0, HIGH);
              }else if(currStepper == LASER_STEPPER){
                digitalWrite(ENABLE_PIN_1, HIGH);
              }
              break;
            case TURN_LIGHT_ON:
              byteType = LIGHT_INTENSITY;
              break;
            case TURN_LIGHT_OFF:
              digitalWrite(LIGHT_PIN, LOW);
              break;
            case FABSCAN_PING:
              delay(1);
              Serial.write(FABSCAN_PONG);
              break;
            case SELECT_STEPPER:
              byteType = STEPPER_ID;
              break;
            }
      
          break;
       case LIGHT_INTENSITY:       //after this point we take care of the second byte if one is sent
          analogWrite(LIGHT_PIN, incomingByte);
          byteType = ACTION_BYTE;  //reset byteType
          break;
        case TURN_TABLE_STEPS:
          step(incomingByte);
          byteType = ACTION_BYTE;
          break;
        case STEPPER_ID:
          Serial.write(incomingByte);
          currStepper = incomingByte;
          byteType = ACTION_BYTE;
          break;
    }
  } 
}

Could anyone explain to me what pins or such these are referring to and how they work? I am using an arduino uno and the original code uses a shield. Do these values correspond to pins on a shield? Any responses would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[UKHeliBob]

The numbers such as 200, 201etc do not relate to pins. Rather they relate to the value of a byte received from Serial

    incomingByte = Serial.read();
    switch (byteType)
    {
      case ACTION_BYTE:
        switch (incomingByte)    //this switch always handles the first byte
        {
          //Laser
          case TURN_LASER_OFF:
            digitalWrite(LASER_PIN, LOW);    // turn the LASER off
            break;

The code reads a byte from Serial then, using the switch/case it executes different code depending on the value received

Because of the #defined values the code above effectively becomes

    incomingByte = Serial.read();
    switch (byteType)
    {
      case 1:
        switch (incomingByte)    //this switch always handles the first byte
        {
          //Laser
          case 200:
            digitalWrite(LASER_PIN, LOW);    // turn the LASER off
            break;

Using #defined names makes the code easier to read

[UKHeliBob]

Your two topics on the same or similar subject have been merged.

Please do not duplicate your questions as doing so wastes the time and effort of the volunteers trying to help you as they are then answering the same thing in different places.

Please create one topic only for your question and choose the forum category carefully. If you have multiple questions about the same project then please ask your questions in the one topic as the answers to one question provide useful context for the others, and also you won’t have to keep explaining your project repeatedly.

Repeated duplicate posting could result in a temporary or permanent ban from the forum.

Could you take a few moments to Learn How To Use The Forum

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It will help you get the best out of the forum in the future.

Thank you.

[J-M-L]

@hyperapeiron

One of the aspects of the code that I can understand is the definition of certain variables with numbers ranging from 200 - 212

It is fully documented in the code

@hyperapeiron

//the protocol: we send one byte to define the action what to do.
//If the action is unary (like turnung off the light) we only need one byte so we are fine.
//If we want to tell the stepper to turn, a second byte is used to specify the number of steps.
//These second bytes are defined here below.

[hammy]

It’s worth adding a few print statements so you can check progress through the code and check variable values are what you think they should be .
You can also comment out sections so you can identify where the problem resides .

[alto777]

@hyperapeiron

void loop() 
{
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_0, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_1, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_2, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_3, HIGH);
  delay(1);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_0, LOW);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_3, LOW);
  delay(1);
  
}

That does not look like anything any stepper I have seen woukd respond to.

Is this the test code that makes the motor move?

Please state the make and model of the mother. If you can, state what shield or controller the software you are working with expected to be talking to.

Where did you get that test sequence?

a7

[hyperapeiron]

What would this code do on its own without connecting to software?