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stepper help — Parallax Forums

stepper help

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2004-01-22 22:21 in General Discussion
I have a stepper motor that I'm assuming is bipolar. I'm trying to make it
run using the stepper motor project in the stampworks kit, but I don't know
how to alter the code made for a unipolar to a bipolar. I'm thinking the
difference is the configuration of the steps but I think I've tried
everything and it still won't work. it just holds it's position without
turning.
any help is appreciated,
amanda





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Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-02-20 06:52
    Amanda,

    Bipolar steppers require different hardware interface circuits than
    unipolar steppers. Compare the data sheets for Allegro 5804 driver
    circuit (unipolar) at http://www.allegromicro.com/sf/5804/, with that
    for the Allegro 3967 (bipolar) driver at
    http://www.allegromicro.com/sf/3967/. There are similar driver circuits
    from other mfrs, but these offer a single-chip driver for steppers
    running about 750 ma or less.

    Dennis

    Original Message
    From: amanda ervin [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=-_m92WPtLJUy1Xo9kMeb-wwayTwesxsufQfdjch4yeiTg-CbmDiKxguagmHEMQbWLWAaxlsL131aJgw]ale2121@h...[/url
    Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 1:33 PM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] stepper help


    I have a stepper motor that I'm assuming is bipolar. I'm trying to make
    it
    run using the stepper motor project in the stampworks kit, but I don't
    know
    how to alter the code made for a unipolar to a bipolar. I'm thinking
    the
    difference is the configuration of the steps but I think I've tried
    everything and it still won't work. it just holds it's position without

    turning.
    any help is appreciated,
    amanda





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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-02-23 00:54
    Hi Amanda,

    I noticed that date was Thursday, maybe you already solved your
    problem.

    A bi-polar stepper would be a 4 wire, or it could be 6 or 8 wire.

    all you need do is to use an H-Bridge on any two coils. if it is a 6
    wire, make sure the coils are on seperate circuits.

    + on line 1, coil A, and minum on line 2 coil A
    then + on line 3 coil B, - on line 4 coil B
    then + on line 2 coil B, - on line 1
    and so on....

    as you power the coils the motor would take a step for each coil. to
    lock a motor, just leave power on any coil.

    if you have 2 steppers and wanna have some fun, connect 2 coils from
    each together. then spin one by hand. the other should spin as if
    it were linked.

    Dave









    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "amanda ervin" <ale2121@h...>
    wrote:
    > I have a stepper motor that I'm assuming is bipolar. I'm trying to
    make it
    > run using the stepper motor project in the stampworks kit, but I
    don't know
    > how to alter the code made for a unipolar to a bipolar. I'm
    thinking the
    > difference is the configuration of the steps but I think I've tried
    > everything and it still won't work. it just holds it's position
    without
    > turning.
    > any help is appreciated,
    > amanda
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > _________________________________________________________________
    > Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
    > http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-01-22 22:21
    Hi All,

    I am using a stepper motor for the first time. So far, all I can do is make
    it quiver. I am using the code from the Stampworks with a 2p. I do not have
    the stepper that Parallax provides, although it has the same wiring colors.
    I have tried (I think) all the combinations. My questions are:

    Do the 2 sets of coils alternate are are they in pairs, meaning do I want to
    put both outside leads from the same coil next to each other on the 2003, or
    alternate one side from each coil?

    I assume that it makes a difference which order the coils are connected. Is
    there a way of determining which lead is #1?

    How does one tell a bi-polar stepper from a uni-polar stepper?

    All input appreciated!

    Jonathan

    www.madlabs.info
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