Use a uni-polar stepper in place of a bi-polar stepper

Gabriel-

If the link is the motor you are using then you would want something similar to this driver https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12779

I'm not sure what the project is but be aware the code would change slightly with a different setup.

Nate

I just linked the instructables, in case that helps at all

Gabriel,

it is possible to connect a unipolar stepper motor instead of a bipolar stepper motor. It is not very difficult as it is essentially a question of different wiring as you have only four wires to connect. I think that this link maybe useful for you. Let me know if you need more help or something sounds difficult to understand to you.

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Reference/StepperUnipolarCircuit

Enrico

It's helpful but how do I get wires 5 and 6 in both schematics I know that those are the common wires but my stepper only has 4 wires so I don't have those Do i bridge 2 wires from the same coil together to get 1 of the common wires Also I am using the uln2003a so I would look at the first schematic but that schematic only has 2 wires going to the arduino but the code I have accounts for 4 so how would I edit the code to only move the stepper using 2 output pins

I have been reading about the driver you linked for a bit and I think I understand how to drive my stepper with it.  If you could take a look at my code I have a pretty simple question.  The only part dealing with the stepper is in between the sections where the laser turns on and off(you can just search for the word motor to see where I am talking about).  If I use the driver you linked I could set the MSx pins to HIGH the motor would move an eighth of a step each time.  So whenever I needed to move the motor I would just change the state of the step pin until I had to move the motor backwards, right?

Gabriel, I think that you should try to find a scenario on how the stepepr motors (bipolar and unipolar) works. First of all, divide the problem in two smaller and easier problems.

Just as I have done, google "arduino unipolar stepper (https://www.google.nl/search?q=arduino+unipolar+stepper+four+wires&espv=2&biw=1429&bih=911&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa… ) and then try to understand by yourself what does it means. You should not limit yourself to copy and paste circuits and sources but use the project you want making changes and adjustments, just as the opportunity to understand something new.

As you search for specific circuits with Arduino, you will find also some source code example. So try it and first of all solve the motor problem. Understand and discover how to move it, change direction, speed, etc.

Then, get the project code and try to replace the motor management part with your code, that will move exactly your motor.

IMHO it is better than try to find exactly what you need already done by someone else.

Enrico

Thanks for the tip, I agree that it would be way better to look at this an opportunity to learn something new, so I edited the code to fit with the easydriver that @Nate1616 mentioned and figured how to wire it all up.  I just ordered the driver, I'll update the thread on what happens with the project, thanks a lot.

Perfect ! Keep us informed on your project evolution.

Enrico

If you have a six or eight-wire uinipolar motor you can convert it to a bipolar motor, if you have a four-wire unipolar motor you are stuck