OVERVIEW
Sometimes keeping things simple is best!
In this tutorial we will see how to move a stepper using only a regular Potentiometer.
We will use a NANO and the Easy driver to control the NEMA 17 stepper motor.
PARTS USED
EasyDriver Stepper Driver
Arduino NANO
Stepper Motor NEMA 17
10K Potentiometer
These are Amazon affiliate links...
They don't cost you anything and it helps me keep the lights on
if you buy something on Amazon. Thank you!
CONNECTIONS
Connections for this tutorial are as follow:
Pin 2 and 3 of the NANO are connected to the STEP and DIR pin of the Easy Driver
We also connect a Ground pin of the NANO to the Easy Driver GND pin
Pin A4 of the NANO is used to read the Analog value of the Potentiometer Center pin
5V and GND of the NANO are connected to the outer pins of the Potentiometer
We then power the Easy Driver, thus powering the Stepper Motor, using an external 12v power supply.
THE CODE
We will be using the AccelStepper library to control the speed and acceleration of the stepper motor, we want the motor to move in relation to the rotation of the Potentiometer.
Since a Potentiometer can change value even when we are not touching it, we are moving the motor only if the Potentiometer value has changed +6 or -6 from the previous read value, that way we avoid jitter of the Stepper motor.
As always please have a look at the tutorial video for more information.
/* Arduino Stepper Control with Potentiometer
Created by Yvan / https://Brainy-Bits.com
This code is in the public domain...
You can: copy it, use it, modify it, share it or just plain ignore it!
Thx!
*/
#include "AccelStepper.h"
// Library created by Mike McCauley at http://www.airspayce.com/mikem/arduino/AccelStepper/
// AccelStepper Setup
AccelStepper stepper(1, 2, 3); // 1 = Easy Driver interface
// Nano Pin 2 connected to STEP pin of Easy Driver
// Nano Pin 3 connected to DIR pin of Easy Driver
// Variables to store current, previous and move position
int val = 0;
int previous = 0;
int long newval = 0;
void setup() {
stepper.setMaxSpeed(4800); // Set speed fast enough to follow pot rotation
stepper.setAcceleration(4800); // High Acceleration to follow pot rotation
}
void loop() {
val = analogRead(A4); // Read Potentiometer current value
if ((val > previous+6) || (val < previous-6)) { // Check that a move of the pot is at least > or < than 6
newval = map(val, 0, 1023, 0, 1600); // Map value (1600 = 1 stepper shaft rotation)
stepper.runToNewPosition(newval); // Move stepper to new position
previous = val; // save current value into variable previous
}
}TUTORIAL VIDEO
DOWNLOAD
Copy the above Sketch code in your Arduino IDE software to program your Arduino.
(AccelStepper Library created by Mike McCauley at http://www.airspayce.com/mikem/arduino/AccelStepper/)