Using LabView, Arduino, and Easy-Driver to control a Stepper Motor

[danjfraga]

Hello fair folks of the LabView forums!

I am a humble engineering student in need of some advice and input on a project I am working on.

I’ve also done a fair amount of reading on the LabView forums with people trying to use LabView and Arduino to control stepper motors, and I’ve used as much information from each as I could. However the problem I'm encountering now is one which is unique to my VI Configuration.

So, here is what has been done thus far:

-Installed LabView Interface for Arduino [LIFA]

-Installed necessary VISA drivers for LabView to communicate with arduino

-Uploaded firmware to Arduino to allow it to communicate with LabView

-Properly wired Stepper Motor with Easy Driver and Power Supply; I have verified this by first using the Arduino independently of LabView, using example code found here.

-I have created a VI, and have just recently got it to run without reporting back any errors. While I suspect the behavior I’m encountering has to do with something inside the VI, it is difficult to determine as there are no errors being reported!

But here is general problem I am encountering:

-Connect Joystick to USB Port, connect Arduino to USB Port.

-Plug in outlet for Power Supply

-Open LabView VI

-Run LabView VI

-LabView successfully detects Joystick, and Arduino.

-Tilt Joystick; Stepper Motor moves in proper direction, but it only takes a single step. If held, it does not move further. If returned to zero, and then tilted, it again only takes a single step.

I know that in the example code, the Arduino issued the step command by writing the signal from LOW to HIGH, and varied the speed by how often it did this.

I assumed that the Write-PWM feature would do this same thing, but perhaps my assumption is wrong. I will continue to tinker with this myself, but I would be extremely grateful for any insight you might be able to lend.

I’m thinking, if not the Arduino Write-PMW feature perhaps a simple timing-sequence that could be used to alternate between writing 0 and 1, with the timescale of the sequence being scaled to the X-Axis from the Joystick. But, I am open to suggestions, and certainly appreciate any thoughts you may have to offer!

Attached to this is the VI used in this setup, a picture of said VI, as well as a rough sketch of the hardware configuration.

Thank you!

[Brian-G]

Hi danjifraga,

I am not so familiar with the Arduino toolkit functions, but you may have better luck looking at the Arduino page at:

www.ni.com/arduino

I'll ask around on Monday to see if anyone is more familiar with the toolkit.

Good luck,

Brian

[Gabe J]

I am working on a similar project and would like to be able to see you vi.  My problem is that I am running lab view 2009.  Could you save as the 2009 version so I can take a look a offer some collaborative work?

[Brian-G]

Hi Dan and Gabe,

Thank you both for your interest in the LabVIEW Interface For Arduino.  Please repost your question at:

www.ni.com/arduino

These forums are monitored by the Arduino developers.

Thanks,

Brian

[danjfraga]

Do you know if there are any moderators on the LabView forums whom might be able to move our post from this forum to the LabView Arduino forum? I would hate to double-post, though if it is necessary, I can do that as well.

[JordanG]

Danjfraga,

I cannot directly move this post to the Community. Go ahead and re-post to the Arduino page (https://decibel.ni.com/content/groups/labview-interface-for-arduino?view=discussions). This will direct you to the Community where the Arduino developers monitor that page and they'll be able to assist you!

Jordan

Forum Moderator

[The developer]

Hi Dan, Can you upload your arduino sketch so that We can see if everything is configured correctly as that could be your main problem, upload it so that i can test it as i have most of the equipment required in my office,

The developer.