Step signal generater

[andrewbishop66]

Is there a step signal generator that I can build as I m changing the feeds on my mill to ball screws and it will be awhile before I get round to connecting to a computer and will not be able to fit the power feed on the mill once I have fitted the ball screws but I have the stepper motor and stepper motor driver and just want to generate a step signal to give me a simple power feed and for testing

Any Ideas

Thanks Andrew Bishop

[keebler303]

If you have access to a waveform generator, talk to an electronics guy, you can use that to make your pulses and it will be super easy.

If not, you can use a 555 timer to generate your step pulses. its available at radio shack and will probably cost around 5-10 bucks for everything you need.
This should get you there if you are at all electronically inclined.
http://www.phy.syr.edu/courses/K-12/555%20workshop.pdf

If that doesn't help then google "555 square wave generator" and you will get a bunch of hits.

Matt

[Al_The_Man]

Look up 555 circuits for astable or square wave generator, there should be lots out there and a 555 is just a few cents.
And a switch for direction.
Al.

[keebler303]

beat ya to it Al

[Davidh]

If you just want to see it do something you could wire the 5v through a micro switch and click it as fast as you can.

..more adventurous than that? rub it up and down a comb.

...even more? mount it on a bit of wood with a gear so that it clicks with each tooth as you spin it.


Maybe it would be nice to see an electronic suggestion that could be employed as a jog control. but I cant help there.


edit, those guys can

[andrewbishop66]

thanks guys I was hopping I could use a 555 with a varable pot and limmit switches

Andrew Bishop

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by andrewbishop66 thanks guys I was hopping I could use a 555 with a varable pot and limmit switches Andrew Bishop

Yeah, you can use it per posts 2 & 3 .
If you use a limit swith to limit motion, you may need an overide to Jog back off the limit.
Al.

[Sterob]

You can use a LM566 IC to generate a linear square wave quite easily, but the 566 is obsolete and may be difficult to find. It is a Voltage Controller Oscillator and only need a couple of external components and a pot. A friend and I are working on this at the moment.
The circuit is shown on the 566 data sheet.

[Willbird]

Is there a simple program for a PC that will run steppers to test the whole setup WITHOUT running mach or another cnc controller program ?? IE it will interface with the proper pins in the parallal port to run a stepper or steppers and step motor controllers wired up just like they will be when running mach ??

I see mention of such now and then but no specifics ??


Bill

[salzburg]

Hi Willbird.

Have a look at www.electronics-diy-com ,for a stepper motor controller
via a parallel port. it might be what you are looking for and it is only
$ 15.00.

[OCNC]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Man Look up 555 circuits for astable or square wave generator, there should be lots out there and a 555 is just a few cents. And a switch for direction. Al.

Would an encoder work as a pulse generator for this situation? With a balanced hand wheel you should be able to spin it pretty fast.

Chris

[Al_The_Man]

Probabally would.
If you use one channel for direction, it would have to be edge triggered input.
Al.