Unfortunately, I no longer have the original code I used for the eyes. However, I can give you a basic outline of what I did. You want to make a loop that reads the sensors and directs the servos to move accordingly. To read the time of flight sensors, use our VL53L0X library for Arduino. The readings should be combined in a way to give the location of an object in front of the sensors. I took each sensor reading and converted them so that the value is bigger the closer the reading is to the sensor. Then I made one negative and added the two values together. That way a value of zero is center, positive denotes one direction and negative another direction. Then I used that location and translated it into a servo position. Then use the commands from the Arduino Servo library to set the position of the servos accordingly.
The mounting holes on the bracket will accommodate M4 or #8 screw size, so you should be able to use it with 80/20 series parts that use those size screws. Personally, I have used the bracket with 20 series (20mm x 20mm) which has M4 T-nuts.
Thanks for the feedback. The tooling and process for manufacturing these makes making changes time consuming and expensive, and we are unlikely to be updating this product in the near future without a specific big application. If you do have an immediate high volume application, please contact us directly with more information about your project. Otherwise, we will keep your request in mind for future versions and any similar new products.
The MP6500 and DRV8825 stepper motor driver carriers are higher-power alternatives to the A4988 carrier you originally asked, and they generally can work well with that stepper motor, though you still won't be able to get the full 1.7 A rated current out of the stepper motor with them. If getting the full rated current is important for your application, you might consider the AMIS-30543 stepper motor driver.
By the way, you might also be interested in our Tic stepper motor controllers, which feature additional integrated processing and offer higher-level control interfaces like USB. The T500 and T825 are based on the same MP6500 and DRV8825 stepper motor drivers that are on the carriers I linked to above. With the Tics, it would be easy to temporarily raise the current limit for when you really need the extra torque and then lower it again before the driver overheats.
The A4988 has a lower current limit than the rated current of the stepper motor, so it will limit the performance you can get from the stepper motor. To get more performance, you should consider a stepper motor driver with a greater current limit.
You can use a power supply with a voltage higher than the rated motor voltage if you use a driver with current limiting. You can read more about this in the first FAQ under the FAQs tab on the product page for the stepper motor.
The datasheet for the stepper motor, which can be found under the "Resources" tab on the product page, gives a maximum axial force of 10N. Our expectation is that the axial load rating already takes any such bearings into account, making it equivalent to a linear force rating.
Creepy eyes Halloween prop upgrade
- 1 March 2022Hello, John.
Unfortunately, I no longer have the original code I used for the eyes. However, I can give you a basic outline of what I did. You want to make a loop that reads the sensors and directs the servos to move accordingly. To read the time of flight sensors, use our VL53L0X library for Arduino. The readings should be combined in a way to give the location of an object in front of the sensors. I took each sensor reading and converted them so that the value is bigger the closer the reading is to the sensor. Then I made one negative and added the two values together. That way a value of zero is center, positive denotes one direction and negative another direction. Then I used that location and translated it into a servo position. Then use the commands from the Arduino Servo library to set the position of the servos accordingly.
Curtis's laser-cut arcade stick case
- 23 February 2022Hello, Tony.
Unfortunately, Curtis is no longer here and I do not have the arcade stick in front of me to verify the final parts. The best I can tell from the design is that the 6 standoffs that hold the frame together are a combo of a Aluminum Standoff: 1/2" Length, 4-40 Thread, F-F, Aluminum Standoff: 1" Length, 4-40 Thread, M-F and Machine Screws: #4-40, 3/4″ Length. The design also uses 4 M5 12mm screws, and M5 nuts to hold the joystick in place. It also uses Machine Screws: #4-40, 3/4″ Length, #4-40 hex nuts and Aluminum Standoff: 1/4" Length, 2-56 Thread, F-F to hold the board and USB pass through in place.
New product: Aluminum mounting bracket for NEMA 17 stepper motors
- 15 October 2020Hello, Yufeng W.
The mounting holes on the bracket will accommodate M4 or #8 screw size, so you should be able to use it with 80/20 series parts that use those size screws. Personally, I have used the bracket with 20 series (20mm x 20mm) which has M4 T-nuts.
Grant
New product: Aluminum mounting bracket for NEMA 17 stepper motors
- 24 April 2020Hello, Andrew.
Thanks for the feedback. The tooling and process for manufacturing these makes making changes time consuming and expensive, and we are unlikely to be updating this product in the near future without a specific big application. If you do have an immediate high volume application, please contact us directly with more information about your project. Otherwise, we will keep your request in mind for future versions and any similar new products.
Grant
W.A.V.E art performance using Arduino and Maestro Servo Controllers
- 17 September 2018Hello.
We do not have that information. You might try directly contacting the company that created this installation.
Grant
New NEMA 17 stepper motor with optional integrated lead screw
- 21 March 2018The MP6500 and DRV8825 stepper motor driver carriers are higher-power alternatives to the A4988 carrier you originally asked, and they generally can work well with that stepper motor, though you still won't be able to get the full 1.7 A rated current out of the stepper motor with them. If getting the full rated current is important for your application, you might consider the AMIS-30543 stepper motor driver.
By the way, you might also be interested in our Tic stepper motor controllers, which feature additional integrated processing and offer higher-level control interfaces like USB. The T500 and T825 are based on the same MP6500 and DRV8825 stepper motor drivers that are on the carriers I linked to above. With the Tics, it would be easy to temporarily raise the current limit for when you really need the extra torque and then lower it again before the driver overheats.
Grant
New NEMA 17 stepper motor with optional integrated lead screw
- 20 March 2018Hello.
The A4988 has a lower current limit than the rated current of the stepper motor, so it will limit the performance you can get from the stepper motor. To get more performance, you should consider a stepper motor driver with a greater current limit.
You can use a power supply with a voltage higher than the rated motor voltage if you use a driver with current limiting. You can read more about this in the first FAQ under the FAQs tab on the product page for the stepper motor.
Grant
New product: A-Star 32U4 Prime LV
- 11 August 2017Hello, Caleb.
We have put up step files for those boards under the "Resources" tab on the A-Star Prime's product page.
New NEMA 17 stepper motor with optional integrated lead screw
- 12 June 2017Hello, Jan.
The datasheet for the stepper motor, which can be found under the "Resources" tab on the product page, gives a maximum axial force of 10N. Our expectation is that the axial load rating already takes any such bearings into account, making it equivalent to a linear force rating.
-Grant
New product: Pololu Ball Caster with 1″ Plastic Ball and Ball Bearings
- 20 March 2017Hello, Vincent.
Can you characterize how much rolling resistance you are seeing?
Grant