This controller is made as a prototype tool to test mechanics from a stepper motor. On the controller, there is a button which is used to change the state of the motor. The controller can have 2 states set, one while the button is pressed ad one while the button is not pressed. The controller can be set using a serial user interface. There are 4 different states that can be set; stop, move to a position, move amount and continuously moving. <strong>Stop</strong> is stop to stop the motor. <strong>Move to a position</strong> is to move to a set position. <strong>Move amount</strong> is to move a set amount no matter what the other set state is. <strong>Continuously moving</strong> make the motor continuously move at a set speed in a direction.

2 different or the same state can be set, for example; state 1 (button = 0) is continuously moving and state 2 (button = 1) is Move to a position. This will make the motor continuously run but when the button is pressed, the motor will go to the set position. This means that the motor will return to the same spot even tho it has moved away at a random distance.

Another example would be setting the same state but with different speed setting or position settings.

To access the menu, plug the controller into the USB and the menu will appear in the serial console. This menu allows you to set how the controller reacts to the button press.
<pre>Welcome v1.0 Stepper motor controller
Commands:
P - Program (ON Type, ON Distance, ON Speed, OFF Type, OFF Distance, OFF Speed)
A - Move amount (Distance)
T - Move To positon (Distance)
S - Set setting (m1, m2, m3)
D - Display details
H - Help


Type:
0 - Stop
1 - Move to position
2 - Move amount
3 - Continuously moving

</pre>
The Arduino program and PCB is available from <a href="https://github.com/tinkersprojects/Stepper-Motor-Prototype-Tester">https://github.com/tinkersprojects/Stepper-Motor-Prototype-Tester</a>

Stepper Motor Prototype

The MQ Plotter is a machine that plots points on a grid. It is made from a 3D Printer Frame and mechanism with different electronics and additional items. It uses a 12V DC power supply to power the system and motors and is complete with a 16 x 2 LCD and Encoder for the user interface. The electronics are based on a different but similar project. The ATMEGA328P Microcontroller has the Arduino UNO Bootloader installed on it. The USB at the back uses a CH340 chip which can be used to program the ATMEGA328P through the Arduino IDE.

Every point the machine plots on the grid, it moves upwards, pauses while the plot is active and then moves downwards. This process is repeated for every point. When the plot is active, a relay is activated. The relay output switch ports can be accessed from the back of the machine. Each point on the grid is spaced out evenly by a pre-determined Pitch.

The LCD and Encoder are to navigate the menu system. In this menu, settings can be changed to change the operation of the Plotter. By pressing the Encoder, the menu will select the current item or perform the current command (select “Run” to start and run the machine). The back button enables navigation back through the menu.

MQ Plotter

For a different project, I need to cut 1000 &nbsp;wires to the millimetre and&nbsp;I&nbsp;made this to&nbsp;help me with this. this machine strips and cuts the wire to any length.&nbsp;it's&nbsp;a very simple design which can be later transformed&nbsp;into&nbsp;something else with similar operations.
<h4>Further development</h4>
<ul>
 	<li>crimp connectors to each end</li>
 	<li>digital controller</li>
</ul>

cable stripper/cutter

The Cyclone PCB Factory is a 3D printed CNC which can easily engrave, drill and cut printed circuit boards or PCBs. It makes prototyping quick, simple and easy. It is a great design but unknown who the designer is. The printing of all the parts didn't take too long and the quality of the parts are very good. I hope to get make many PCB with this machine before upgrading it.
<h4>specifications</h4>
machine dimensions: 250x300x400 mm
PCB working dimensions: 100x160 mm

Arduino with Marlin firmware
3 stepper drivers, 2 end stops + 1 extra pin for probing

Dremel 4000
<h4>Further development</h4>
<ul>
 	<li>I would like to replace the screw threads</li>
 	<li>making 2 layer PCB better</li>
 	<li>allowing smaller boards to be made on the CNC</li>
</ul>
<h4>Links</h4>
<ul>
 	<li>Main Site&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cyclonecnc.4fan.cz/">link</a></li>
 	<li>Reprap Site&nbsp;<a href="http://reprap.org/wiki/Cyclone_PCB_Factory">link</a></li>
 	<li>thingiverse Site&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:49484">link</a></li>
 	<li>github Site&nbsp;<a href="https://github.com/carlosgs/Cyclone-PCB-Factory/">link</a>(source files)</li>
</ul>

Tinkers Projects

Tag: cnc

Stepper Motor Prototype

MQ Plotter

cable stripper/cutter

Cyclone PCB Factory