Stepper Motor With LabVIEW « .:Doing my little part, changing the world:.

Stepper Motor With LabVIEW

November 4, 2007 by Bondhan Novandy

Again, still LabVIEW beginner. I am currently reading an ebook titled “LabVIEW based Advanced Instrumentation System” by S. Sumanthi and P. Surekha, and IMHO this is a good book for beginner. I wish I could finish reading this book as soon as possible, because time is what I do not have

Two days ago, I tried to control a stepper motor with ULN2803 and LabVIEW. FYI -again- I am new to LabVIEW, so don’t expect too much from this article. I have NI-PCI 6221 and NI-PXI 7358 with me, the later is specifically manufactured for motion controller but still it has the digital I/O. And in this article I am using the motion controller digital I/O to control the stepper, if you only have DAQmx you also still can use it to drive your stepper motor, because to control stepper motor only need digital output which you can generate from your DAQmx.

Here’s the LV source code:

This is the front panel where user can specify the speed, direction, number full step. In this case, I am using 1.8 degree stepper motor, which means for one full rotation I need 360/1.8 = 200 steps, then 200 steps/4 = 50 times iteration.

This is the source code when all condition is true:

This is the source code when all condition is false:

Here’s the video for the trial:

and I tried to test the accurateness of this stepper motor for one full cycle (50 iterations) you can watch here:

This stepper motor is not that accurate, for 2-3 trials it was okay but the next trial it lost its position, I tried several times and it still can not maintained its previous position, even though I used slower speed.

And here is the electronic connection I used for the ULN2803 you can find here.

Posted in LabView, Programming | Tagged LabView, Stepper Motor, ULN2803 | 37 Comments

37 Responses

on November 10, 2007 at 7:05 am | Reply valiot

If you need help in any of your LabVIEW projects, head on over to LAVA. They are a great resource.

See here: http://forums.lavag.org
on November 10, 2007 at 8:44 pm | Reply Bondhan Novandy

Thanks for your info valiot, it is nice to have a forum abouth LV. Anyway I found that there are not that many topics about motion controller , or I’d better started a new thread
on March 11, 2008 at 12:04 pm | Reply lux

Simple and nice control post.
It would have been fine if you added some text to explain regarding the programm…
nice post
keep on posting…!
I felt happy to see your Quation….

.:Doing my little part, changing the world:.
I want to change the world! I have my part!

Really its true.

Thankx.
Lux.

Hi Lux. Thank you for your comment. Everyone IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) has his own part to change the world to be a better place , for himself, his family, his neighborhood and his country, and with this blog I want to do my part, hope you’re doing your part too.

IMHO, the LV program for the stepper motor is easy enough to understand that I don’t need to explain that much. But if anyone wants to help me explain the program he/she can write in the comment

Cheers,

Bondhan
on March 28, 2008 at 4:24 pm | Reply Li Ching Yeung

Could you mind to give me the example of Labview of this stepper motor control ?

My email : alexlichingyeung@yahoo.com.hk

Hi Li,

I believe that learning is a process. I have provided the code on this page. And honestly, I forget where I put this LV code :p, hehe..
on July 21, 2008 at 8:40 pm | Reply Marin

I have newer worked with LabView, and I have to control stepper motor with pc through it. I don’t know what do i have to create, how to start… Does anybody have some instructions, some short guideline how to create code.

Hi Marin.

You mean directly from the PC without LabVIEW? If yes, you can use the parallel port, try search in google about parallel port and how to access it. I think you will need the amplifier darlington transistor array. Stepper motor is just pulse/step control, not difficult though. Good luck
on July 22, 2008 at 2:18 am | Reply Marin

No, I have to use labview, because it is my homework, but I don’t have too much time, and I have to work. It is difficult to me, I cannot afford so much time to learn how to work with labview and to read tree book on english.

I see. Anyway what NI device do you use? If you are using DAQmx just like me, perhaps the solution will be the same with the code I have written. There are plenty of places to ask about LabView, I am just a beginner, you can go to NI forum, Lavag, or ILabview yahoogroups . If you have problems, perhaps you can share so that we can help?
on August 19, 2008 at 9:10 pm | Reply Marin

I’m just learning basis of labView, and I have problem with everything. Stepper motor is not in my hands, do I have to know motors characteristics, to be able to control it with LabView. And can someone give me just first step to start with controlling stepper motor with LabView. Thanks in advance. My email is idol11@net.hr if it is easier for you to help me.

Hi Marin,

The basic of stepper motor is digital pulse control (e.g. 101010). If you don’t have the stepper motor in your hands, you must at least have the datasheet/manual with you. The datasheet usually shows the type of the motor, how to interface the motor with the driver/controller, and the signal input to the motor. In my opinion, decide what kind of motor you want to use and understand the datasheet. Hope it helps.
on October 10, 2008 at 5:27 pm | Reply marin

Hi it is Marin again. My stepper motor is simple one with 4 inputs, clock, enable, direction and step(half/full). I know that it is easy to create labview program to control it but everything is new for me. I have to control it through parallel port on computer. I’m using flat sequence to create clock square signal, but I need some advice. Thanks for advice before. I will contact you here when I find myself in nowhere situation.

Hi Marin,

You might want to visit http://gigapedia.info/1/parallel+port, there are several good resources in parallel port programming . Sure, if I can help, no problem.
on October 13, 2008 at 7:11 pm | Reply Marin

I’m almost finished wit my work, but I don’t know how to create clock impulse, 101010101, to be precise, I have created it with flat sequence, but I don’t know how to use it. Indicator is showing that it is changing from one to zero, and so on, but I have to use that and connect it to array. How to do it?

Hi Marin, I wonder why you need clock impulse? If you mean the pulse signal to the stepper motor then you need to generate according to the stepping type whether it is half or full step. I found in google this image about the pulse signal for 4 wire-type stepper motor. If I am not mistaken the torque generated with full step signal is higher that half, since it gives current to two coils simultaneously. There are abundant of flash tutorial regarding this, you can search in google though . Good luck.
on October 13, 2008 at 7:27 pm | Reply Marin

No, I need to generate clock, and I have made it one way but it is complicated, there must be simpler way.

Hi Marin,

If you need to generate real time clock, in my case I am using timed-loop to generate minimum 1 ms pulse. However I am using Real-Time LabVIEW, thus it is considered as real time clock though. However, I am not sure if you are using windows.
on October 13, 2008 at 8:26 pm | Reply Marin

Thanks.

You are always welcome Marin
on October 20, 2008 at 4:33 am | Reply Ben

Hi, i am working on trying to get a stepper motor to run with a ULN2803 chip. I can get the motor spinning running by connecting it directly to I/O ports and using a C++ program. For some reason though, I cannot get the ULN2803 chip to work the way I want it too. I want the low-level logic from my I/O ports to be transformed to 12V. I connect 12V and ground to the chip. Then I try to test the chip by simply connecting 5V to an input of the chip. I then check the output and there is 0V there. If you could give me some advice on how to get the chip working it would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Ben,

Hmm..I have never tried this before. However, have you connected the ground of 5V and 12 V together? If not, this might be the problem.
on November 3, 2008 at 2:11 am | Reply Victor Constantin

Hey, i’m working on moving a stepper motor myself right now but i’ve stumbled over this problem : how do you accelerate the motor? you can’t really make it function at full speed in one step, you’ll most likely end up not positioning it correctly. I’ve thought about simply generating bigger and bigger frequencies for the motor, starting from 0 up to the desired one, but how do i actually do that taking into consideration the mechanical side of the problem (the rotor’s inertia, etc). Maybe you have some documentation?. Sorry about my english, my tech vocabulary isn’t that complex, hope you get the idea.

Hi Victor,

Yes, since stepper motor is open loop control you can not guarantee the actual position is the same with the desired one, especially in high speed or if the load is over its capacity (overload). I don’t understand what do you mean by rotor inertia has something to do with this? Or perhaps I misunderstood your question.

Increasing frequency means that you are decreasing the time (T = 1/f). Thus, if you want to move the motor from 0 until F frequency, you can change the speed of pulse input to the motor. Say, if you have a loop and delay function inside the loop, you can start from stop, then gradually decreasing the delay time until the desired one. To be noted that, the stepper (and all actuators) has its bandwidth, which is the limit frequency of how fast the motor can follow the desired trajectory (in this case input signal) in satisfactory manner. Thus you can not give any desired frequency except if it is below its bandwidth.
on November 5, 2008 at 1:50 pm | Reply Victor Constantin

Hi,

Thanks for the response.

Well, i’m trying to make the motor move in such a manner that you have constant torque. I’m trying to do that by changing to the next phase while the current phase still provides enough fw momentum (i’m talking about the rotor’s momentum) in order to help the next phase switch faster. I’m not talking about high freq here, i’m talking about building a “behaviour” for the command of the motor, so that i can build stable and precise apps with it.

You’re right, you can’t push the motor over a certain freq, the mechanical part lags behind (you can see this best by comparing full step to half-step frequency)

Meanwhile, i’ve managed to put the freq generating part together. The torque part is still a problem. Any ideas?

As far as I know, the speed and the torque are equally opposite to each other. Increasing the speed then you are lowering the torque and vice versa. In particular, reduction gear might help in increasing the torque. However, if you successfully implement your idea, then It will be great .
on November 14, 2008 at 6:56 pm | Reply Marin

It is Marin again. I have finished my work for stepper motor, but I still have one little problem. I have to control it through other computer, and I am using web publishing tools. And on some computer I have response “remote panel connection exceeds maximum number of licenses”, but if I use any of others computer and try to connect through this computer it is working. Is it problem with labview or something else

Anyong Haseyo Marin (Korean Greeting) , you might want to check this link (click the “link”) for your problem
on November 15, 2008 at 2:19 am | Reply marin

What link please?

Hi Marin, I updated the replied above, you can click on the word “link” above
on November 19, 2008 at 9:39 pm | Reply Marin

Thanks I didn’t notice, because of the similar colors.
on December 16, 2008 at 5:04 am | Reply Marin

Thank you very much for everything. I have made it finally, but now I need to measure steps (bank angle). Using logic blocks and mathematics I have made subVI for calculation of step angle (minus for left, plus for right, and 0.9 for half, double for full) now I need to * it with time, not time but every time flat sequence make one circle indicator have to add or subtract step angle if enable is on. How can I do that? Can I do it with for loop? Motor is working in open loop. It is hard to understand my writings, because of my bad English.

Hi Marin,

You are always welcome. If I understood your question, you want to measure the angle of the shaft in open loop manner which is by calculating the output signal to the motor. This is possible but it might not be precise due to errors such as slip when the motor starts -except you have a good driver-. I don’t understand why you need to multiply with time. The simple way to measure the angle is by looking at the datasheet of the motor. It usually specifies how large the angle is for one step in full or half step. Like the one that I used (on this page), 1.8 deg for one full step (if I am not mistaken). Then if it is half step mean half of it. By knowing the angle, you can estimate the output shaft angle. Hope it helps!
on December 24, 2008 at 8:49 am | Reply Recent Links Tagged With "stepper" - JabberTags

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on December 25, 2008 at 5:34 am | Reply Me

Hi there,,,,,nice wat u’ve done and it’s really great job…but i have one que…am trying to send a pulse to hardware stepper motor controller,but am facing a problem how to generate the pulse-train and how to send it to the DAQ Assis??
thanx alot for wat u done …

Hi Me, I hope this small article can be helpful.

You can generate pulse train signal by turning On and Off the digital output port of the DAQ card according to some kind of pattern (full step or half step). Hmm..you might want to check this file for a brief basic control of a stepper motor.

About sending to the DAQ board, you’ll need VI(s) for this, if you are using the DAQ board, there’s called digital writer on the function palette. To understand quickly, you can find several examples of how to do this by looking at the examples provided in your LabVIEW program.
on January 21, 2009 at 1:55 am | Reply adhiguna

Hi there,

I use NI Labview Motion, with PCI 7330, UMI 7764, stepper motor and an encoder that moved conveyor belt automatically to trigger the camera.

With the same encoder, I plan to trigger also the stepper motor movement (not only the camera) to move the camera, for example given the input trigger of an encoder (by movement of the conveyor belt), the camera position (related to the stepper motor) will also move accordingly.

My idea is to try two different axis, one for encoder, other for motor stepper using Master-Slave VI on NI Motion (gearing and camming), but it is not supported by PCI 7330.

Do you have any other idea ?

Hi Mas Guna, I really don’t understand what you are going to do. I have experience on PXI-7358. I used it to control 6 actuators simultaneously (4 are steppers). I guess it is not that much different with 7330. You might want to explain more about what you are trying to do. I took a look at the manual for a while, it is mentioned (on page 9, Features):

“The 7330 provides fully programmable motion control for up to four
independent or coordinated axes of motion, with dedicated motion I/O for
limit and home switches and additional I/O for general-purpose functions.”

It says it can support until 4 actuators whether independent or coordinated axes. There are several examples on the coordinated axes at LabView example, you might want to give it a shot.
on January 26, 2009 at 5:29 pm | Reply adhiguna

Ok I think its bit complicated to explain, I am still working on it I will let you know the progress.

One question, do you know how to reset encoder position in NI Motion using Labview ? it seems that the PCI 7330 always save the last position of the encoder, unless we reset the board completely.

Hmm..Mas Guna, In PXI-7358 motion controller, there’s a subvi called reset position. I am not sure with PCI 7330, there’s might be a subvi for that. Sorry if it doesn’t help.
on January 30, 2009 at 2:11 am | Reply adhiguna

Yes actually there are to Vi’s can be used, reset position and reset encoder position. None of them work. Strange…

Mas Guna, I use this method. Since I do only need to set the position of the encoder in the beginning of the application, I Kill and Halt the axis then set the encoder position. I am not sure whether this can be used in your application or not.
on February 24, 2009 at 1:00 pm | Reply gopinath

hi iam new to labview i need some information on to control stepper motor using labview 8.5

Hi,

Your question is too general. Googling and trying the examples provided by LabVIEW is a good start.
on March 31, 2009 at 2:06 am | Reply microcontroller

I have searched about the word “stepper motor” and you blog appeared to me.
where can I read about stepper motor in details in your blog?!

The articles that I have written in this blog are very small, there are few articles related to stepper motor and labview.
on May 14, 2009 at 8:47 pm | Reply sheh

i want make program using LabVIEW to control stepper motor moving to right 180 degree and left 180 degree. there are someone suggest me to build it?cause i had been try to build it, but it still fail . Thank you so much

What is your current progress, could your program move the motor already? for at least 1 step?
on May 14, 2009 at 9:06 pm | Reply sheh

additional questions from me before, in the stepper motor control I use 4 wire so i also use 4 the digital output in LabVIEW 8.2. steper motor that I use in each step produce 0.9 degree. how to make the program to create a stepper motor rotates 180 degrees to the right and left 180 degree. there are ideas to help me?Thank you so much

Controlling stepper motor is by giving pulse input or clock according to the pattern. There’s called half step and full step sequence, please find in the google for this. Once you have created the program for giving the desired pulse clock, you can wire you NI board to a driver IC (usually darlington transistor ULN2803 as such). Then you wire the output of the driver IC to the motor.

If 1 steps is 0.9 degree, then you just need to divide 180/0.9, there you go, you’ll get how many pulse clock you need to give for the motor to turn 180 degree
on August 16, 2009 at 7:09 pm | Reply nazila

Hi,
I have never worked with LabView , and I have to simulate stepper motor and control it with LabView. I don’t know what do I have to do… Does anybody have some instructions how to start?
- on August 23, 2009 at 3:38 pm | Reply Bondhan Novandy
  
  Hi, are you going to make a simulation or directly control a stepper motor using driver, so on…?
  - on August 26, 2009 at 5:06 pm nazila
    
    i am going to make a simulation… actually i am going to simulate an insulin pump that work with stepper motor …do you know how can i start?
on August 21, 2009 at 4:21 am | Reply Darwin

Hi ,

I’m using LabVIEW 8.6. Could you please tell me the subvi that is connected to the Board ID & Port(1) is (wondering if it’s a DAQmx create channel)? and also what is the subvi with in the flat sequence structure? I’m new to LabVIEW and have trouble findingin these icons on the palette. Sorry if this question sounds really dumb.
Thank you so much!
on August 22, 2009 at 3:48 am | Reply Darwin

Hi,

Could you please tell me the name of the icon that is connected to the boardID and Port. I’m sorry if this question sounds really dumb. I am new to LabVIEW, and I’m using 8.6. I’ve just not been able to find this icon on the express VIs.

Thank you so much
- on August 23, 2009 at 3:36 pm | Reply Bondhan Novandy
  
  Hi, you can use a constant (int). The number of the boardID can be seen in MAX.
on September 11, 2009 at 6:57 pm | Reply Joseph

My project involves controlling a stepper motor using a labview code. I have connected the unipolar stepper motor to the parallel port via the ULN2003A and would like your help guys. My prof insists on this and im new in this field. Please help me with the code and other necessary information expexcted during implementation.
on September 11, 2009 at 7:24 pm | Reply Joseph

My project involves controlling a stepper motor using a labview code. I have connected the unipolar stepper motor to the parallel port via the ULN2003A. The ULN2003A acts as the motor driver. I dont yet have the circuitry.
This is my idea, i want to implement a house lift using a stepper motor in the folwing manner. During the motor’s clockwise rotation the lift will be moving upwards and during the anticlockwise rotation, the lift will be moving down to groung floor. This will act as a lift which can be taking luggage upstairs in a building.
Now my prof wants me to control the stepper motors rotation using a labview code. Is my idea going to work? Help me with your ideas and complements on this urgent project!! I will appreciate every single detail. Thanks
- on October 4, 2009 at 10:44 pm | Reply Bondhan Novandy
  
  Hi, I guess it will work. First you need to tell me which NI hardware do you use.
on August 26, 2009 at 7:29 pm | Reply Bondhan Novandy

You can start by first describing your project.

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.:Doing my little part, changing the world:.

I want to change the world! I have my part!

Stepper Motor With LabVIEW

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