I've finally got my repaired PC to run javacomm and have got the stepper exerciser running. It just drives the stage module at the moment, though I plan to add the rest on tonight. This puts the hardware only a whisker away from being capable of producing a plotted circuit board, provided the hardware actually checks out.
The stepper driver being used is the ULN2803-based design, driving a unipolar stepper motor. I'll work on the updated instructions over Easter when I'm not allowed in the workshop...
The 754410-based extruder controller design is also communicating, and can control the motor and read values from the thermistor. A glitch in the driver code (possibly a compiler issue) is currently preventing the use of the heater controller, but as I have a working thermostat from the prototyping stage this is not a show-stopper.
Vik :v)
YES! Great work Vik! :-D
ReplyDeleteYou can indeed use the ULN2803 to drive two motors simultaneously. A simple hardware solution is simply to strap the necessary input pins together: 1-5, 2-6, 3-7, 4-8
ReplyDeleteSlight fly in the ointment: Last night my motors refused to turn over. Dunno why yet, but the comms is still working. Will investigate.
Vik :v)