[Swansea Hackspace] Arduino Uno interface to a 3D printer stepper motor.

[Justin Mitchell]

On Sat, 2015-04-18 at 12:33 +0100, Tim Moore wrote:
> I'm trying to carefully rorate a metre long light weight pole through
> 180 degrees.
> 
> 
> I've got a Stepper Motor type 28BYJ-48 working fine, but I'm sure I
> need one that is a bit more chunky !
> 
> 
> I've got a 17HS16-2004S NEMA 17 (42 x 42 mm) high torque 1.8 degree
> stepper motor  on the way with a controller card
> 
> 
> But I've not got a very clear vision yet what else I might need and if
> there is any Arduino example software listing that would be good to
> use to get it to work ?

Use a 'step stick' thats what all of the 3D printer control circuits are
built around, they do a way better job that messing about with H-bridges
and a cheap and easy to use.

There are many kinds, all with similar/same pinouts, DRV882x or A4988
are the most popular ones. e.g. https://www.pololu.com/product/1182

prices vary from £1 each (aliexpress) to about £5 each, depending on
supplier.

The control is just two data lines, 'step' and 'direction'. every pulse
on the step line moves the motor on one step (or microstep) in the
current direction.  no driver library required.