EasyDriver - Stepper Motor Driver, Reset and Home position questions

Robotics
1

Hi all

I am using an EasyDriver (ROB-12779) to control a stepper motor, using AccelStepper library in Arduino.

Everything runs with no problem, I just have questions about EasyDriver’s RST (Reset) pin, it’s functionality and the concept of home position (or as I have found it the translator’s home state).

In EasyDriver’s datasheet says that RESET input sets the translator to a predefined home state:

The RESET input (active low) sets the translator to a predefined home state (see figures for home state conditions) and turns off all of the outputs. STEP inputs are ignored until the RESET input goes high.

  1. is this home state a “hardware” predefined position (angle) of the motor’s shaft ?

  2. OR it’s the first position at power on ? (when Arduino’s setup() runs)

  3. does this “translator’s predefined home state” (or position I’ve found elsewhere) some predefined angle ? OR I am completely in a wrong path here ? :wink:

  4. is this functionality (“hardware” predefined home position) available in maybe BigEasyDriver ?

  5. if none of the above is true… are there any advice on how to achive this ?

I am really new in controlling motors so please be kind :slight_smile:

regards

2

  1. is this home state a “hardware” predefined position (angle) of the motor’s shaft ?

  2. OR it’s the first position at power on ? (when Arduino’s setup() runs)

  3. does this “translator’s predefined home state” (or position I’ve found elsewhere) some predefined angle ? OR I am completely in a wrong path here ? :wink:

  4. is this functionality (“hardware” predefined home position) available in maybe BigEasyDriver ?

  5. if none of the above is true… are there any advice on how to achive this ?

Reset essentially shuts the driver off, but when you leave reset, it sets the outputs to the 45 degree position in the table on page 9 of the data sheet. This may make the motor move slightly if you were not at the 45 degree position when entering reset, but it doesn’t physically move the motor to a predefined position. The Big Easy works in a similar fashion.

Neither driver keeps track of a physical location so if you wanted the motor to return to a given position, you’d need to code for that and keep track of the motors position and move an appropriate amount when you want to go back “home.”