Need some advice with my project

Community General Discussions
1

I am a new guy to the RobotShop Forum and I looking for advice on how to go about my project.

I want to automate my device with these items:

1 Servo (Cirrus CS-71 Standard Pro NO. 444107-JR/Hitec Connector) 4.8V - 6V

2 Stepper Motors (Tandon Type KP4M4-001 +12v dc, four-phase, unipolar, permanent magnet, 3.6� per step)

I wanted to use a laptop and the USB connection to run some software program to control my device.

So I was looking through the RobotShop catalog and found these items that may or may not help me do the job. There are a bunch of things to look at and my electronics skills are at the beginner level.

Controller
robotshop.com/arduino-uno-microcontroller-2.html
Arduino Uno USB Microcontroller
Product code: RB-Ard-18

Shield Kit
robotshop.com/adafruit-motor-shield-kit-arduino-2.html
Motor Shield Kit for Arduino
Product code: RB-Ada-02

USB cable
robotshop.com/phidgets-6-foot-usb-cable.html
6 Foot USB Cable
Product code: RB-Phi-36

I read some where in the forum that I may need to power all of them separately.

How am I doing, so far? Do these items work together?

Any feedback is highly appreciated.

Thanks

RBNorris

2

Hey Coleman,

Thanks for the information.

… “important to know the current required by the stepper motors.”

Well I am not sure what the current for the stepper motors are based on my web search. I guess they are from old 5.25 inch disk drives if that helps.

… “step down regulator so you can use 12V and step down to 5V for the servo motors.”

I checked the Robot Shop link that you provided and found at least 2 step down volt types.

robotshop.com/Dimension-Engineering-Switching-Regulato-1.html
5V 1A Switching Voltage Regulator
Product code : RB-Dim-20

This one looks like a good choice "Arduino Compatible" below.

robotshop.com/dfrobot-arduino-compatible-variable-power-shield-2.html
DFRobot Arduino Compatible Variable Power Shield
Product code : RB-Dfr-84
� Supply: 4.5V - 35V
� Output: 1.25 - 12V
� Output current: 2A (3A peak)
� Efficiency: 90%
� Arduino compatible

I have a wall transformer 12V DC power supply I wanted to use.

Will this item (RB-Dfr-84) work together with the rest of my list?

Thanks

RBNorris

3

Hey Coleman,

Thanks again for the information.

Time to start experimenting and trouble shooting.

Thanks

RBNorris

4

Hi RBNorris,

Welcome to the RobotShop Forum. The three parts you listed would be enough to run the stepper motors and servo you described, though it’s important to know the current required by the stepper motors. to see if the shield can handle it. The items work together and you are correct to wonder if you will require separate power since the servo motor operates at 4.8V to 6V while the stepper motors operate at 12V. The Arduino itself can be powered by USB or 9-12V. If you want just one power supply, you will need a voltage regulator strong enough to handle the necessary current. We would suggest a step down regulator so you can use 12V and step down to 5V for the servo motors.

Hope this helps,

5

Hi,

RB-Dfr-84 can provide up to 2A current at 6V, which should be enough to power at least 4-5 standard servo motors, so one is not a problem. You would power the system at 12V. It’s hard to say exactly what current your drives take, so try to do a bit more research. If you don’t find anything, you can try to assume ~0.5A since the motor is quite small.

Sincerely,