Component: Stepper Motor (Generic) ()

Author	Matrix Ltd
Version	2.0
Category

Stepper Motor (Generic) component

A generic stepper motor model. Includes a visual simulation showing the activaton pattern of the coils. Make another object move along with the stepper shaft using the 'Target' property. The target object can rotate with the stepper shaft with a given gearing ratio, or be moved linearly according to a given lead screw pitch.

Detailed description

No detailed description exists yet for this component

Examples

Attaching a primitive to a stepper motor

This example links a panel primitive to the output of the motor. Stepper Example 1 The linked object can be rotated or moved in a fixed direction by the motor.

Linear movement using a stepper motor

This example links two stepper motors together using linear type movements rather then rotational similar to a stepper attached to a lead screw. Stepper Example 2 The stepper is linked to the objects on the panel using properties and grouping.

Creating a multi-axis actuator using stepper motors

This example links three stepper motors together using panel primitive objects and groups. Stepper Example 3 Here we can see the actuator arm in motion.

Downloadable macro reference

	IncrementStep
Move the motor forward by one step.
- VOID	Return

	SetTarget
Assign a panel object to be moved by the motor. Once linked, the object will respond to the 'Motor Simulation' properties, and it will be moved whenever the motor is stepped.
[[File:]] -	target
An object to be moved by the motor.
- VOID	Return

	DecrementStep
Move the motor backwards by one step.
- VOID	Return

	EnableMotor
Turn on the motor. This must be done before it will respond to any other macros.
- VOID	Return

	DisableMotor
Turn off the motor. It will no longer respond to any other macros.
- VOID	Return

	SetTrim
Allows the level of trim for each servo channel to be adjusted progmatically.
- BYTE	Channel
The channel to set the position for. First channel is zero.
- BYTE	Trim
Legacy: 0=0us, 1=+25us, 2=+50us, 3=+75us, 4=+100us, 5=-25us, 6=-50us, 7=-75us, 8=-100us or Smooth: 0-200
- VOID	Return

	IsAutoMoving
Is the AutoMoveToPosition movement complete. Returns 1 if the servos are still moving. Returns 0 if all servo movement is complete.
- BYTE	Return

	SetAutoMoveSpeedInt
Sets the speed of the auto move to position macro. Default speed is shown in the Servo_Period_Multiplier property.
- UINT	Speed
1=Slowest (Default), 2= Double, 3=Triple, 4=Quadruple
- VOID	Return

	IsServoAutoMoving
Is the AutoMoveToPosition movement complete for a specific servo output. Returns 1 if the servo is still moving. Returns 0 if the servo movement is complete.
- BYTE	Channel
Servo Motor Output Range: 0-7
- BYTE	Return

	AutoMoveToPosition
Automatically moves towards the new position at a fixed rate determined by the AutoMoveSpeed.
- BYTE	Channel
The channel to assign the new position. Range: 0-7
- BYTE	Position
Position to automatically move to. Range: 0-255
- VOID	Return

	EnableServo
Enables a servo channel effectivly setting the position of the motor to the value in the local position variable.
- BYTE	Channel
The channel to set the position for. First channel is zero.
- VOID	Return

	SetAutoMoveSpeed
Sets the speed of the auto move to position macro. Default speed is shown in the Servo_Period_Multiplier property.
- BYTE	Speed
1=Slowest (Default), 2= Double, 3=Triple, 4=Quadruple
- VOID	Return

	AutoMoveToPositionInt
Automatically moves towards the new 16-bit position at a fixed rate determined by the AutoMoveSpeed.
- BYTE	Channel
The channel to assign the new position. Range: 0-7
- UINT	Position
Position to automatically move to. Range: 0-65535
- VOID	Return

	Initialise
Sets up the servo motor interrupts
- VOID	Return

	WriteLEDs
Allows control of all 8-LEDs on the front of the Formula Flowcode.
- BYTE	LED_Byte
- VOID	Return

	Initialise
Starts up the formula flowcode PWM for motor control and performs the wait for button press
- VOID	Return

Property reference

	Properties
	Winding Type
The polarity settings of the motor windings. Refer to the data-sheet for your chosen hardware to determine this value.
	Step Type
Trade accuracy against torque by changing the type of stepping. Refer to the data-sheet for your chosen hardware to determine which modes your device supports.
	Steps Per Revolution
The number of steps it takes for the motor shaft to turn a full circle (360 degrees). Refer to the data-sheet for your chosen hardware to determine this value.
	Object
Choose an object here to be linked to the motor. When the motor moves, this object will also be moved according to the settings made in the other properties below. To move multiple objects, first make them into a single group, then set the group as the target.
	Gear Ratio
Set a non-zero value here to make the target object rotate whenever the motor spins. The target will revolve around the same axis as the motor's own 'Moving Part' (e.g. drive shaft). A value of 1.00 make the target spin at the same speed as the motor. Choose other values to set the ratio of a 'virtual gearbox' to change the speed of the target's movement.
	X Linear Pitch
Set this to a non-zero value to move the target object linearly along its X-Axis whenever the motor spins. The value is the distance to move (world units) per complete rotation of the motor shaft - i.e. it simulates a typical linear drive that uses a lead-screw, with the property value equal to the screw pitch.
	Y Linear Pitch
Set this to a non-zero value to move the target object linearly along its Y-Axis whenever the motor spins. The value is the distance to move (world units) per complete rotation of the motor shaft - i.e. it simulates a typical linear drive that uses a lead-screw, with the property value equal to the screw pitch.
	Z Linear Pitch
Set this to a non-zero value to move the target object linearly along its Z-Axis whenever the motor spins. The value is the distance to move (world units) per complete rotation of the motor shaft - i.e. it simulates a typical linear drive that uses a lead-screw, with the property value equal to the screw pitch.
	Connections
	Driver
	Coil 1
Chip pin to which the first motor coil is connected.
	Coil 2
Chip pin to which the second motor coil is connected.
	Coil 3
Chip pin to which the third motor coil is connected.
	Coil 4
Chip pin to which the fourth motor coil is connected.
	Simulations
	Waveforms
Allows waveforms to be auto generated on the data recorder window.
	Coil Simulation
Turn coil simulation on and off.
	Show Arrow
Show an arrow connected to the motor shaft to make it easier to see the position.