NEMA 17 - DQ542MA - Arduino Stepper Setup

Hello @nbuckles

Let see if I can be of some help.

The Uno should be powered by the usb connection. The drivers receive power from the 24v power supply. The power supply should not share a connection with the Uno or pul-, dir-, enbl- terminals.

24v dc power supply
----------------------------------------
24v + output to Driver DC+ input
24v - output to Driver DC- input


Driver to Uno (Uno pins assume GRBL if not running grbl let me know )
------------------------------------------------
Pul+ from driver to Uno pin 4
Dir+ from driver to Uno pin 7
Enbl+ from driver to Uno pin 8

Pul- from driver jump to Dir- on driver
Dir- from driver to Uno GND pin
Enbl- leave unconnected.

Your dip switch and micro step settings look correct for your required output.



I was just playing around with a Nema 17 and a Arduino using a 24v power supply for a video I did. It may be of help to you.

 

Give me a min or two and I will grab my driver , uno , nema 17 and see what I get on my end. be right back.

 

I am still new to Arduino coding so please work with me and anyone more experienced then I am here please step in. But I was able to get it to work

Edit: updated next post with what I did.

 

Here we go I cleaned it up a bit and reverted back to your original pin out on 5,6,7. This results in one full rotation then stopping at start point and repeats when reset button is pressed. To make two full revolutions before stopping update "1600" to "3200", "6400" for four revolutions ect.

Using 1.8 200 step Nema 17 using 1/8 Micro stepping..

Code:

int stepPin = 5;
int dirPin = 6;
int enblPin = 7;

void setup() {
pinMode (stepPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode (dirPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode (enblPin, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(stepPin, LOW);
digitalWrite(dirPin, LOW);
digitalWrite(enblPin, HIGH);
}

void loop() {
for(int x=0; x<1600; x++){
digitalWrite(stepPin, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(100);
digitalWrite(stepPin, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(100);
}
digitalWrite(enblPin, LOW);
exit(0);
}

 

No Problem, I am just diving into coding myself so I can only answer a few of the questions but i will give it my best.

This driver wants to see a active high signal on it's enable+ line. We can do this by setting a pin High like we are doing above on pin 7 or by directly connecting it to 5v. The driver is happy either way. The benefit to using a dedicated pin and making it active high is the fact we are now taking some form of control over when and how that signal is sent.

We are sending the motor the pulses it needs by switching the Pul- High and Low and controlling the motor speed with the delay. ( probably not the best for smoothness ) ( try changing both " delayMicroseconds(100); " to " delay(10); ' it will move much slower.

Enbl- is left disconnected due to the driver not needing a connection. I find when I connect this pin the driver faults ( red led )

Another way to change Direction of rotation is with " If " and " else " using Distance in our code. Depending on pulleys , belts, gears, ect. You can work out the exact math to move "X" distance one way then return and repeat.

This code will have the motor travel four rotations one direction pause two seconds and return to the start point in the opposite direction.

Code:

int stepPin = 5;
int dirPin = 6;
int enblPin = 7;
int Distance = 0;

void setup() {
pinMode (stepPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode (dirPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode (enblPin, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(stepPin, LOW);
digitalWrite(dirPin, LOW);
digitalWrite(enblPin, HIGH);
}

void loop() {
for(int x=0; x<1600; x++){
digitalWrite(stepPin, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(100);
digitalWrite(stepPin, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(100);
Distance = Distance + 1;
}

if (Distance == 6400)
{
if (digitalRead(dirPin) == LOW)
{
digitalWrite(dirPin, HIGH);
}
else
{
digitalWrite(dirPin, LOW);
}
Distance = 0;
delay(2000);
}
}

To change the set distance traveled change the value for the if distance == line. Currently set to 6400 in the above example.

A good page of Arduino and steppers when not concerning cnc I have found is this page by Brian.
Easy Driver Examples

This looks like another good page.
Stepper Motor Basics